What Manner Of Man is this Jonathan?

by Eze Eluchie

Conscious of the fact that some of my online-friends are impressionable youths, I oftentimes endure excruciating mental struggles, racking through my knowledge of the English language, to avoid using appropriate expletives to describe the goons holding sway over Nigeria. One of such struggles is now, as I write about Jonathan's 'surprise' visit to the Police College in Lagos earlier today.

Some had unknowingly applauded good old Jonathan's visit as sign of positives changes to come. No way. Those who were not aware of the true reasons for Jonathan's visit to the Police College following an expository documentary aired on a local television channel (Channels TV) which broadcast the despicable and filthy environment Nigerian Police cadets are forced to endure despite huge sums budgeted for their welfare, can discover the real reasons by the two questions Mr. Jonathan asked the Commanding Officer of the College:

1. "How was Channels TV able to penetrate and record the mess without detection?"

2. "When was the recording done"

To which the hapless senior insecurity officer had no answer.

And the unfortunate and naughty conclusion Jonathan drew from the entire episode: “This is a calculated attempt to damage the image of the government, as the college is not the only training institution in the country.”

Corruption as a Vile Crime

by Eze Eluchie

More people die across the globe as a result of large-scale corruption than any other vice known to man.

The following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population constitute 'crimes against humanity' under international law:

(a) Murder;

(b) Extermination;

(c) Enslavement;

(d) Deportation or forcible transfer of population;

(e) Imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law;

(f) Torture;

(g) Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;

(h) Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious;

(i) Enforced disappearance of persons;

(j) The crime of apartheid;

(k) Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.

Looking at item (k) above, do you think large-scale corruption qualifies as a crime against humanity?

If yes, why are some people we know not before an International Criminal Tribunal?

Does Islam Mean Peace?

by Eze Eluchie

Media publications (such as that in Daily Trust Newspaper) of the conversion from Christianity to Islam of MaziSylvester O. Dimunah, a Village Chief from Imo State, Nigeria, has received so much commendation from the online Muslim umar with shouts of 'Allahu Akbar' (God is the greatest). The media has published that the predominantly new convert to Islam has publicly confessed that his predominantly Christian family and community are in no way opposing his 'conversion'.

I wish Mazi Sylvester O. Dinumah all happiness in his new found faith.

My question to my Muslim friends however are these:
1. If indeed Islam is a religion of peace, as is often proclaimed, why does the Quran impose a punishment of death for similar conversions from Islam to other religions?
2. If indeed Islam professes peace and justice, and has no grouse against the practice of other religions, why is the practice of other religions criminalized in Islamic states (such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and so on)
3. Is it fair and just that Muslims are allowed to freely practice their religion in peace without hindrance in jurisdictions where they are in obvious numerical minority and make it impossible for others to even congregate to worship their own Gods?