‘Boko Haram has ridiculed our security profile’

A public analyst,Barr. Jide Ologun in an interview with Saturday Vanguard speaks on Chibok girls and Boko Haram. Excerpts:
Boko Haram abducted our girls to wage war against western education. How authentic is their assertion?
Obviously from the manifestations so far, the Boko Haram campaign is against human development, and it is less relevant whether it was declared against western educatuion or not.

While there could be other political reasons behind the campaign, any group that declares to strangulate western education, has declared ‘war’ against civilisation, development, enlightenment and all the good ventures western education represents.

Interestingly, the current Boko Haram leader has threatened to fight against democracy and Christianity. Some of us called for proactive approach to stop the campaign long ago, but the caution was not heeded. And that is how Boko Haram translated from a local campaign to a global evil.

Boko Haram converted some of the girls to Islam and asked for prisoners exchange. Does that not suggest this is the reason for taking away the girls?
Hostage taking is part of terrorism game. Even if the girls were abducted initially to embarrass the government, there can also be a strategic approach of using the same ransom to negotiate release of members in government custody, particularly having attracted global attention. In addition recall there was a recent foiled attempted jailbreak in Abuja aimed a freeing Boko Haram members in custody.
Whatever the motive may be, the episode has really ridiculed our security profile .

Do you think President Goodluck Jonathan can rescue the girls from captivity as assured by Dr Doyin Okupe on CNN recently?
I am hopeful that with the help of God and support of our foreign friends the President should be able to redeem his government image and learn to engage proactive approaches in managing national issues. Issues well managed hardly degenerate into crisis.

Having said that, we need more than rhetoric now, we need action and God will help us as we all arise to fight this global menace.

What do we do to our image now?
By delivering on promises of democratic dividends, our image can turn around. There is no nation free of challenges, though some come out stronger. We must allow justice and equity reign in our country, shun greed and corrupt practices.

Do you think Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) which you once headed could play any role to assist Nigeria?
Over the years NIPR has consistently counselled the government and relevant stakeholders, but it is one thing to recommend, but another for the recommendation to be embraced and implemented. However with the strong representation we have at the National conference by our esteemed national president and chairman of the governing council, if the government is willing to listen and implement noble recommendations, we shall be out of the red ocean and sing new songs of victory and greatness.

- Vanguard

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