Pius Adesanmi - It Will Get Worse Before it Gets Better

One argument being pushed by the Federal Government (via Osinbajo et al) and supporters of fuel subsidy removal (appropriate pricing, deregulation, downstreaming, market remedy - they have called the beast so many names my head is spinning) borders on the idea of the impenetrable darkness which always looms before the glorious light at the end of the tunnel. This is a very seductive argument, supported by the great spiritual and literary texts of the world. It is a powerful motif in literature, a recurrent theme in myths and legends: great difficulties, pitch darkness, then, light!

In the great literary mythologies, from the Greeks to the Romans, via Ananse in Ghanaian folk tales and the Tortoise in Yoruba folktales, pitch darkness and the light that follows it at the end of the tunnel are always moderated by one inescapable element: sacrifice. So here is the basic plot of one of the greatest motifs in human imagination: darkness + sacrifice = light. The emphasis is on sacrifice.

June 12: Sacrifices, Unity & Politics of Division by M.B.O Owolowo

“Indeed, Abiola contributed to the development of this country. He sacrificed everything for the development of this country,” - Olusegun Obasanjo, May 2014

Better late than never some would say, how honourable it would have been if Obasanjo had made this statement whilst he was President and honoured M.K.O Abiola accordingly. Maybe Obasanjo has come to accept the bitter reality that June 12 is symbolic and without the sacrifices of the likes of Abiola, he would never have returned to power in 1999.

But, this isn’t about the man who 'blessed' Nigeria with 'Goodluck', but something far greater. It is about sacrifices and defending our unity.

Quoting the words of another great man in our history, a supporter of the June 12 cause and the first man to move the motion for Nigeria's independence;

Boko Haram's 'Target For Death' List: The Following People To Die Soonest; IBB, Buhari Among

Boko Haram's 'Target For Death' List: The Following People To Die Soonest; IBB, Buhari Among

The security agencies have ordered the restrictions into the movement of some Nigerians who are currently the prime targets of the Boko Haram Islamist Jihadists in the country.

The security sources revealed that on the Boko Haram's 'target for death' list are eminent personalities which includes the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, former-President Shehu Shagari, former military President Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and others.

The security "protective" restriction will also cover prominent emirs, governors, former-governors, ministers, former-ministers and some highly-placed Nigerians, and that the concerned individuals are to depend on travel approval and advisory from state security apparatus before visiting any part of the Northeast – the birth place of the Boko Haram sects, the headquarters of trouble spots in country which has claimed thousands of lives.