THE WALK FOR CHANGE

Suleiman Hashimu or ‘The traveller’ as I prefer to call him is an indigene of Katsina state, Funtua to be precise. He was born in Osun state but lives in Ibadan.

The traveler promised two years ago to walk from where ever he is to the capital of Nigeria, Abuja if General Muhammadu Buhari wins the election in 2015.  BBC Hausa, Voice of America and Aminiya (a Hausa Mgazine) interviewed him. He was in Lagos when Buhari was declared the President-elect of Nigeria. He left Lagos at about 5am the next day and arrived Ibadan around 6pm. He went to get a police report to allow for the smoothness of his journey but couldn’t wait and so, the D.P.O. gave him his phone number. Despite several discouragement from friends and at the same time, inspiration from friends and loved ones; he continued from Ibadan to Oyo. Then from Oyo to Ogbomoso.; And from Ogbomoso to Ilorin with much hospitality at every stop.

At Ilorin, some people escorted him for some miles and he stopped at Oloru. Oloru, to border’n Sa’ada and then to Jebba. He received so much hospitality from Jebba and unlike other villages he met a lot of people who had heard of the traveller. About 20 people set off with him from Jebba and after some miles, about 18 went back but the remaining two where determined. They met with armed robbers close to Makwa and luckily, he already met one of them in Jebba and he even gave him 200 Naira for pure water. The robber told his colleagues that he was going to see Buhari and he gave him 2000 Naira and then slapped the two men with him. He continued his journey from Mkwa to Kudu and then to Kutigi. He is currently in Kutigi and will continue his journey to Bida tomorrow by the grace of God.

I asked him about his encounter with the different people and he said it was remarkable. Actually he gets more determined to move on from the people. He was even treated like a King in a village in Niger. They sang tribal songs he didn’t understand and travellers stop to provide him with food and company along the way. Most of them are familiar with him because they travel the same route daily. Sometimes up to 10 cars would stop to converse with him. News travelled with the public transports to different places on his route and people from several cities, towns and villages on his route would call to check up on him and inquire about his journey.

He doesn’t know for sure if Buhari knows of him but several of his support organizations do. He intends to reach Abuja by 27^th of May and celebrate with the new president at his inauguration ceremony.

You can reach him on his mobile: 08057333300. Please do share the news of ‘the traveller’.

Bleeding Land

I was filling a petition form on crimes against against humanity in Nigeria and coincidentally a documntary on rape victims in Rwanda was showing on aljazeera. A woman described what it was like to be raped by over four men and ending up with an unwanted child who wouldn’t quit asking about his father in a country where sexual talks is a considerd a taboo. I watched as a woman, a mother cried about raising the pain she would like to bury in not just sand, but also cover in concrete. She read a letter her son sent her from school on reasons why he wants to know who his father is when all of a sudden, her head fell on the table and she cried like we all did in primary school when our uncle flogs us for failing a class work. 

I didn't feel the tears driping from my eyes as I was lost in her world. I imagine being in her shoes; having society look down on you for being a very hurt victim of war. As I filled my form, I arrived at a box that asked why I was signing the petition…why? 

Becasuse of the 219 and many more girls that were kidnapped. Because of  the girls and mothers being raped and tortured by terrorists. Because of the women that will end up raising children they never asked for. For my brothers being kidnapped and forced into terrorism. For those who were slaughtered, burnt, bombed or shot. Because of the orphans created by this insurgency. For my people living as refugees in other countries and are still not safe. For my people in distress, struggle, pain and sorrow.

I don't have to know these people or be from the north east to sympathize with or speak up for them. I just have to be human. I jst have to be a Nigerian to feel the pain of my country men be they from my religion, tribe, or not. So I signed the petition for my country men in suffering; I signed the petiton for Nigeria. I signed the petition in the hope that the tears in my eyes will dry up soon enough for my heart to light up in joy as my great country stops bleeding.

Keep Nigeria Great

   It is good to see that Nigerians are excited about the upcoming elections. From the comments and updates, it seems like people are becoming more aware of their civil rights as the citizens of this great Nation.

    Great nation sounds ironic especially because of the current situation we are in right now. That actually is the reason for this right up. The Baga massacre was a dark, tragic and one of the worst ever experienced in Nigeria and yet, the killing is still going on.

    We have citizens who can barely afford food; fathers who can't take care of their families; people dropping out of school; unemployed graduates all over the place; I could go on and on but you already know the rest.

    The Baga incident should have taught us that the world will only help us if we are willing to help ourselves. So while discouraging election violence; because let's face it, too many of us have died already. This election should be about all of those I mentioned. Tribes and religions will thrive irrespective of the candidates, those of us who have been affected in one way or the other won't.

    Vote into power leaders who will wipe the tears of our loving parents; bring back our girls; stop the killing of our countrymen;  bring our people back home; uphold the unity and restore the greatness of our country. Nigeria has always been a great country. Let's keep it that way please.