Comments on naijablog: The horror in Akwa Ibom...

I like your solutions.I saw it when it was screene...

2008-12-16T12:56:00.000+01:00

I like your solutions.I saw it when it was screened by Channel 4. I think we are all making the mistake of thinking that this is just an Akwa - Ibom issue and only applies to Liberty Gospel Church and her subsidiaries. Its a nation wide or to be more specific an African problem. There are many 'churches' in Nigeria, mostly led by self anointed/appointed criminals -'Pastors' who continuously spread the same message. Maybe they haven't gone as far as the 'thug' who made those helpless kids drink his blood, but they are equally dangerous.

Most of our folks back home (and even here) have the wrong mindset. Fixing that mindset is the only solution. Sometimes people lose their jobs because they are not good enough, not because someone has 'whinched' them. Most times people die of natural causes, not because someone in their family is 'doing' something to them. Sometimes women don't get married, cant have kids, folks remain poor and struggle, people have car accidents, have bad dreams....etc.

And its not down to a 2 year old 'witch' in their family.

I cannot hold jeremy's anger against him. I cannot...

2008-12-15T15:02:00.000+01:00

I cannot hold jeremy's anger against him. I cannot blame anyone for being angered by what is an angering situation. I went to Terra Kulture on Saturday. I could see very clearly that the people who made the film were angry and upset. When I finished watching it, I was angry and upset too.

I do not see that anyone is advocating anything that will spiral nigeria into a worse state than we already exist in. I too want to see a renewed sensitivity in Nigeria and some basic human compassion.

After the film, the lady who spoke to us reminded us that it took Mary Slessor for that area to be able to enjoy the birth of twins and triplets who were once considered evil and routinely murdered.
It did not take lynch mobs then to stop this behaviour. It took compassion and people willing to push for the right thing to be done till it was.

Rescuing children from torture, rape, trafficking or murder is the right thing.

Setting systems in place that protect them and ensure that these things do not happen on a regular basis is the right thing.

Demanding some sort of responsibility from bodies that advocate the abuse of children is the right thing.

Being sensitive to this problem and doing whatever little bit you can to help even if it does not affect you directly is the right thing.

We probably can all agree on that so I will only add that I see nothing wrong with urgent measures being taken to rescue the children who are right now in very real and very urgent need of us while setting the ball rolling on more long term and sustainable solutions.

As with most problems in Nigeria the necessary law...

2008-12-15T08:56:00.000+01:00

As with most problems in Nigeria the necessary laws are there to protect the people - the Government merely fails to implement them.

Censorship - I haven't seen the documentary or the Ukpabio film but this seems a very dangerous path to tread.

@Anon 12.55 AM. That endangered children should be...

2008-12-14T17:39:00.000+01:00

@Anon 12.55 AM.

That endangered children should be removed to safety is an absolute necessity. In World War II when children were removed enmasse from Britain's cities to safe locations in the countryside, there were no elaborate arrangements made. In saying this I am not for a minute suggesting that suitable arrangements should not be put in place for the children's welfare, because that will be self-defeating. But it is not beyond the capabilities of the Akwa Ibom State government, or even the Federal government to make emergency arrangements to shelter children who are at risk of being killed.

What I, in particular, am angry about is the fact that we as a society have allowed this barbarism to carry on for so long, turning now into a crisis situation. Children's rights as a broader issue must be addressed, but the children of Akwa Ibom state who are at grave risk of murder and torture simply do not have the time to wait for legislation to be passed and implemented.

And with regard to legislation, child neglect and all of the abusive acts that these children are currently suffering, are already criminalised by the existing legislation. It is the safety of children that should be the priority here, not new laws.

Why are some of you dumping on Modibbo? If you tak...

2008-12-14T00:55:00.000+01:00

Why are some of you dumping on Modibbo? If you take off your filter of helpless anger and his digs at Jeremy,he makes a lot of sense. There is no need for this "mob action". State your opinion/solution and do what you can, if you can.

Solutions, people, not blind anger.
Public awareness, legislation, criminalisation, rule of law and all that good stuff that a progressive society is built on.
Protection for children ,non exploitative , non abusive , with a view to family reunification after proper rehabilitation of the parents/parental figures.

It is too easy to ask that these children are removed. And put them where? Without proper structures set in place you are looking at kids that will be further abused , runaways,criminals etc.

Helen Ukpabio (and people like her), as much as i despise her message and refused to see any of her movies when i was still in Naija, only plays to the paranoia and beliefs of a lot of people.

Where are the parents in all of this? Why do these people procreate wily nily and pass their kids off on to strangers or relatives? Where is the message of have as many children as you can afford to take care of? What about the one of widows/fatherless children and their maltreatment? what about not hiring any child under 18 as a domestic worker? what about any child of school age must go to school until the age of 18 and only then can they learn a vocational skill? what about treating domestic workers as employees and not slaves and second class citizens...in the meantime awareness,legislation/criminalisation/due process.

In the country where i live, you will do more jail time if you commit armed robbery that if you rape an infant. The law however is the law and if you kill a paedophile, you go to jail for murder.

This is why I hate the internet because it has dem...

2008-12-13T23:40:00.000+01:00

This is why I hate the internet because it has democratized the opportunity for people like Modibbo to come and say a whole bunch of nonsense.

we are talking about molested children and violence endorsed by ignorance and religion and you are talking about the fact that you know Jeremy's home address...men, best be glad that this was not a physical forum cos this is the kind of thing that would warrant you a slap...what is wrong with you?

Modibbo said, "I will not accept a shoddy, knee-je...

2008-12-13T16:40:00.000+01:00

Modibbo said, "I will not accept a shoddy, knee-jerk standard for Nigeria, no way! Whatever is good enough for the civilised world is good enough for Nija."

Well, in the developed world, the first thing they would have done would be to identify all those children who are risk and remove them to safety. Thereafter will take place the armchair discussion on the "'forest' of societal dysfunction", which in any event is not peculiar to Nigeria or the less developed world.

Jeremy,We are on the same side on this issue. Wher...

2008-12-13T15:25:00.000+01:00

Jeremy,

We are on the same side on this issue. Where we differ is perhaps in tone and approach.

Akwa Ibom's case is a proxy for fairly wide-spread, deeply held and often disturbing belief-systems that are pretty commonly held in Nija.

The fact that Ukpabio cannot see the distinction between Harry potter and her own, nasty fear-peddling sums it up.

My worry is that we focus so closely on the 'trees' of this case that we lose sight of the 'forest' of the fundamental dysfunction at the heart of so much in our society.

Lets fight the child-witchcraft issue, by all means, buts lets not over-cook the issue.

That's all I ask.

Modibbo

Modibbo - you have me wrong my friend. I'm no fan ...

2008-12-13T15:05:00.000+01:00

Modibbo - you have me wrong my friend. I'm no fan of the Church in any of its forms, but that doesn't detract from recognising that all formal and respectable versions of it have a significant role to play in marginalising the wacko cultist elements such as T.B Joshua, Ukpabio and their like.

You are right in saying I'm not usually pro-censorship, but just as in the case of snuff movies, there are some films which it should just be illegal to sell. Given the pernicious effect End of the Wicked has had in the South-East, it is one film that it should be difficult to buy/see, and those that do buy/see it should be aware there will be consequences.

Nothing knee-jerk about any of the above.

There are parallels with the concentration camps here in 1930s Germany and Poland. Many people were aware that the Jews were being carried off to an awful fate, and most turned a blind eye and tried to pretend it wasn't happening. Ditto for Stalin's Gulags in Siberia. In the same way, many Nigerians know that the vulnerable in society are often at risk, and know in their bones that something seriously evil is going on in the name of Christianity in Akwa Ibom. How many will continue to turn a blind eye? How many more kids have to be raped, tortured, trafficked or killed before anything changes?

@Modibbo, with respect, I do not see the relevance...

2008-12-13T14:54:00.000+01:00

@Modibbo, with respect, I do not see the relevance of anything that you have said in your last comment to the issue being discussed here.

Your personal knowledge of Jeremy's principles, or your thoughts concerning whether or not Jeremy is sticking to his principles have no bearing whatsoever to the subject-matter of this discussion.

Obviously you have no appreciation of the seriousness of the situation and it may be suggested that perhaps you need to find out more about it. Sustainable solution for the long-term, rule of law, etc are ok, but in the meanwhile there is an urgent requirement for immediate action. Taking urgent action to save children at risk is not mob mentality.

The reason why this evil has persisted is our failure to recognise it and deal with it. With attitudes like yours, thousands more innocent children continue to be at risk and many will lose their lives before we get do anything. That is a luxury that we cannot afford because what we have here is a desperate situation

People,When Jeremy calls for the banning of a film...

2008-12-13T14:22:00.000+01:00

People,

When Jeremy calls for the banning of a film - he is bullshitting, trust me.

Film censorship has never been the hallmark of a progressive society.

A call for the strengthening of the national film and video certification board - YES. A demand that a clearer distinction be made between fact and fiction - YES.

Outright banning of individuals from expressing themselves - nada. Its considered wrong in USA, UK - and we should not sign up for anything less in Nigeria.

As for the Go-Go-Jeremy Club - make una relax, brethren. Abusiveness simply undermines your credibility.

I will not accept a shoddy, knee-jerk standard for Nigeria, no way! Whatever is good enough for the civilised world is good enough for Nija.

Legislation, oversight, enforcement, (dare I say it) rule of law/due process. Yes, due process for child-killers, paedophiles, drug barons, 419ers, even politicians. These are the guiding precepts of a modern society, which is founded on the principles of social justice and freedom.

Lynch-mob mentality no be am.

Sorry-oh!!

Modibbo

Jeremy is enraged, and in truth advocating a lot o...

2008-12-13T13:04:00.000+01:00

Jeremy is enraged, and in truth advocating a lot of things he wouldn't normally, as anyone would, judging by what I now know are the contents of this documentary.

As usual with all things concerning cruelty against children, I cannot bring myself to watch the documentary because I know how it will make me feel.

Immediate action is what is required to protect those children from harm and prosecute those responsible. Many are cynical but I am really proud that our protests and donations have gotten things this far.

In the end though, without a concerted effort to educate people, this practice may likely continue and that is what we must all continue to work against.

In spreading the word to as many people as possible, I have to admit that I have broke down in tears on two occassions. Believe me, there were many who have the attitude that though the children are witches (!), the level of cruelty towards them was excessive.

Modibbo: really Jeremy didnt believe in what he sa...

2008-12-13T12:39:00.000+01:00

Modibbo: really Jeremy didnt believe in what he says? What do you believe in slow and rational solution? So how are you helping in your own way?

Whether Jeremy believes this or not is not the point, his blogging and raising awareness on this issue is all it takes to be a believer and a social reformer

Is anonymous for serious? If the films arent good,...

2008-12-13T12:36:00.000+01:00

Is anonymous for serious? If the films arent good, if they are of no reasonable essence, yes they shd be banned. Any intellectual will not object to that

Do you just like to oppose Naijablog or what?

2008-12-13T12:35:00.000+01:00

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The reason why I dont watch home vidoes most time ...

2008-12-13T12:34:00.000+01:00

The reason why I dont watch home vidoes most time is bcos they always leave me sad and agry. They will portray sterotypes, discriminations against women, child abuse and all without proffering any solution

I cant wait for films like this to be banned for life as they further corrupt the minds of a lot of Nigerians

Why is Akwa Ibom govt just taking action? I wonder why they waited till now

Moddibo shut the 4kup. The only thing irritating y...

2008-12-13T10:59:00.000+01:00

Moddibo shut the 4kup. The only thing irritating your dumb behind is that a non nigerian is calling us out.

Don't let Jeremy deceive you.I know him and know t...

2008-12-13T08:27:00.000+01:00

Don't let Jeremy deceive you.

I know him and know that he doesn't believe half of what he is advocating, on this issue.

'Catholics, Anglicans and more respectable Pentecostals'...Jeez, am I dreaming!! Jeremy, what is happening, bro??!

Stick to your principles and stop playing to the gallery, dear boy. Pandering to the masses doesn't become you.

If you like don't publish this post - I will deal with you when we see!

As for those of you that ask what I would do if it were my sister....well, I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you aren't ignorant of the tenets of social justice. Therefore I will say to you, stop trying to manipulate and ride on this issue.

You are practicing witchcraft, if you do.

We need a calm, forthright, sustainable solution. Not knee-jerk moralisation.

By the way, if my sister was treated this way, I hope I would be saying these same things, but who knows?

Modibbo

I get very upset when people take issues like this...

2008-12-13T00:30:00.000+01:00

I get very upset when people take issues like this with levity. Everyday children are abused, beaten, thrown out in the cold; most of you have househelps as young as eleven whom you treat as slaves and yet, you think we shld take a chill pill? I'm upset because I work with children and the things we see and hear from these children will give anyone a sleepless and restless night. As Nigerians, we have lost the ability to be shocked at anything; we seem to have had all our morality eroded by the daily shocks of life we get. How else can we explain people not feeling any pain at hearing a child of 2 is kidnapped and held hostage? How else can we explain our turning our faces away when we read in the papers of a 27 year old man who rapes a one year old child and the judge gives him an option of three months imprisonment or N30,000 fine and he gladly pays the fine and is a free man? I have began praying a weird kind of prayer and that is God should ensure that as many as are no longer shocked and will to take up arms at this evil in our society, should have their children, wards, daughters, sisters and wives raped, beaten and stripped naked - only then maybe, just maybe, will it reach home.

I rest my case.

@Modibbo, I'm not sure that anyone has suggested o...

2008-12-12T21:29:00.000+01:00

@Modibbo, I'm not sure that anyone has suggested or even implied "jungle justice". Most of these child victims would in law be immune to criminal responsiblity of any kind, because the spirit of the law is that a person of tender years is incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong. But it is these same innocent children who are subjected to such cruel abuse by adults who should know better. The anger arising from this injustice causes the outcry that was Jeremy's "chemical castration".

This is not a time for chill pills. It is not the time for sitting around and twiddling our thumbs, thinking about child rights and social justice. What is required here is immediate direct action, even if this means physically taking into protective custody children who are at risk. When the children are physically safe, then and only then can we begin to debate methods of implementing well-thought-out child rights and social justice programmes.

Modibbo how would you feel if that was your daught...

2008-12-12T19:09:00.000+01:00

Modibbo how would you feel if that was your daughter who had a nail hammered through her head for no reason? Chilled?

Modibbo - you clearly haven't seen the full film. ...

2008-12-12T18:47:00.000+01:00

Modibbo - you clearly haven't seen the full film. If you had, you would have noted End of the Wicked has been seen by almost everyone in Akwa Ibom and directly contributes to the superstition...

I'm not sure what kind of human would want to take a chill pill when kids are being raped, murdered and trafficked every single day in that state..

If in passing new laws the Akwa Ibom State goverer...

2008-12-12T18:28:00.001+01:00

If in passing new laws the Akwa Ibom State goverernment think that they have done what needs to be done to arrest the situation, my take on it is that there are already enough laws in our law books for vigorous investigative and prosecutorial action against those responsible. Taking more assertive and aggressive action now, surely will send the message that such conduct is not acceptable in a modern society and certainly not in the 21st century.

Each day that passes is another day of suffering and fear, for countless children. And each day that goes by, thousands of children continue to be at risk of being fingered as witches or wizards and suffering a monstrous demise at the hands of those who should otherwise be protecting them. I feel very strongly about this indeed.

Guys,Lets keep this thing in perspective, shall we...

2008-12-12T18:28:00.000+01:00

Guys,

Lets keep this thing in perspective, shall we.

'seething with anger', chemical castrations....

You want Nollywood films banned?! You, Jeremy - liberal, academic, intellectual. Relax, bro.

No banning of films, no jungle justice, no short-cuts, no moral fascism please.

A firm, determined, calmly persued protection of child rights and social justice is all we need.

Take a chill pill, son.

Modibbo

2008-12-12T18:12:00.000+01:00

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