The spate of bombings in Nigeria at the moment is overwhelming; it has gone from the belief of accidental discharge to a point where bombing is the order of the day. I am sure that Nigerians have lost count of the number of bombs that have exploded in the last year. There are already many public holidays in the country, so which day should we set for Nigerian Bombing Day?

In Nigeria, each geographic region represents distinct ideas; these ideas are not universal but regionalised. South-Westerners, especially those whose political ideology aligns with the Action Congress of Nigeria, believe that Democracy Day is actually on the 12th of June. This is a product of the 1993 election, in which the supposed winner, Chief MKO Abiola, was not declared the winner. Six years later, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as the President of Nigeria, and May 23rd became Democracy Day. So, what day would be selected as the Bomb Blast Commemoration Day?

The Igbos, too, cannot forget the Biafran War and their hero, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who moved the South-Eastern part of Nigeria into succession; however, it did not work out, but he is revered among the Igbos. His burial was conducted by the region’s governors. He was celebrated by the Ndi-Igbo throughout the nation. If there were a Biafran Day in the South-East of Nigeria, something around Ojukwu would be considered their heroic day. Who would be identified with these bombings as a whole?

Another interesting mode of immortalising people in Nigeria is the naming of public places after them; there are many institutions across the nation. Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Ladoke Akintola University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, amongst others. Who would be recognised as a national figure from all the bombings happening now?

Northern Nigeria must wake up to stop the tide of bombings in Nigeria. It is really pathetic to see suspicion and fear in all parts of the country. People are not sure of where untimely death could come from, or the location at which it would come. Let’s move the country forward and put an end to mediocrity.

Ironically, it is certain that one day someone will dig up all the facts about these bombings, as in the current probe into subsidies, power, and gas, amongst others. For sure, some power brokers would be identified in the saga. Would it be the usual way for us to get no result after the findings are concluded?  Nigeria, our Nigeria, we hope there will be an end to these bombings? It is certain that there would be no Bombing Commemorating Day, but let all the sponsors know that they have blood stains on their hands, and they would naturally pay for it if not in this generation, other generations would.

4:55pm,

3^rd May, 2012