“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will depart Abuja tomorrow to attend the United Nations’ Earth Summit, RIO+20, opening in Brazil on Wednesday. President Jonathan will participate in the Summit’s four plenary meetings at Riocentro Plenary Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as attend a reception to be hosted by the Brazilian President for Heads of State and Government at the Summit” – stated the presidency as it announced to the press the President’s scheduled trip to Brazil. The announcement signed and delivered by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati on evening of June 18, 2012.
Amazingly, as the president’s media point man released the above media statement of the President’s plans to travel to Brazil, three regions within the geo-sphere of Nigeria were reeling from bloody affair that has resulted to a casualty count of near 130 dead citizens of Nigeria through the mechanizations of bandits that have repeatedly wreaked havoc against the nation and her people. And the President had shown signs of helplessness in the face of the Islamic terrorist group. His latest action of jetting off to Brazil for a soft business jamboree against the ongoing anarchy unfolding in three regions of Nigeria depicts a leader with misplaced priorities.
The presidential press release further reads, “The President will use the opportunity of the Summit to declare open the Nigerian/Brazil RIO+20 Business Forum, and also hold talks with selected Brazilian businessmen and captains of industry. While in Rio De Janeiro, the President will meet with representatives of the Nigerian Community resident in Brazil, and return to Nigeria on Friday. President Jonathan will be accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Governors Ibrahim Shema and Seriake Dickson of Katsina and Bayelsa States respectively, as well as Sen. Benedict Ayade and Hon. Eziuche Ubani of the National Assembly. The Ministers of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya, Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Niger Delta (State) are on the entourage.”
But the President’s supposed business trip comes without balanced reasoning.
On Sunday, June 17, 2012, multiple bomb blast in Kaduna State, the home state of the vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria took the lives of church goers – and sparked a reprisal attacks by Christians who have long harbored the feeling of helplessness at the hands of the federal government. The incident on Sunday saw as estimated 100 dead persons and an additional 163 injured. According to reports, law and order in Kaduna was near breakdown – causing the State governor to declare an abrupt 24hour curfew across to avert the unfolding street fighting between Christian and Muslim youths in the various localities in Southern Kaduna State.
Simultaneously, on the same Sunday, mayhem was brewing at another region of the country – the south south region – the home region of the President of Nigeria. The Igbinedion University at Okada in Benin, Edo State saw unknown group of men armed with machetes and other dangerous weapon – beheading students in their hostels and destroying buildings and parked vehicles. The mayhem appeared unprovoked and without prior warning. The school campus turned into a bloodletting campus as the student scattered around in search for safety. The siege at the campus did not come under control of the law enforcement officers until late in the evening of that day. The number of dead and injured is not available but it is expected for the number to include many dead and injured students.
Then today, Kaduna reignited on fire as the State government relaxed the curfew from 24hours to 6pm to 6am. The Muslim youths clasped with the residents of Barnawa in Southern Kaduna State. Bloodshed was averted through the quick response of the security force stationed in Kaduna State. As the Kaduna fire was being put out, another fire started at another region of Nigeria. The fire stated at the capital of Yobe – with 15 bombs reportedly detonated by the dreaded Islamist terrorist group at innocent citizens of Nigeria. Gun battle between the men of Islamist terrorist group and men of law enforcement were also reported at the capital city. Casualty count is not known but eyewitness account estimate that the casualties maybe high.
The President is scheduled to be away from the country till the afternoon of Friday June 22, 2012.
