Author Archives: jinlobify

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About jinlobify

Joy, now retired, was a music teacher, trained in Santa Cecilia, Rome, and obtained her Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Michigan, USA. She has written and published extensively on national and internationalscholarly journals, magazines, and newspapers. Her short story I Come from Utopia was published in African Voices, Spring/Summer, 2007, pg. 18, and her first English novel; Mirror of Our Lives: Voices of Four Igbo Women was published in 2011, and was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Contest in 2012. She has also two books published in the Italian language. She is a trained musician, and taught music for 35 years. She writes and records folk songs. Her new book: The Legend of the Walking Dead: Igbo Mythologies is a journey into the mysteries of life and death of the Igbos of Nigeria. She loves reading romances and mystery stories.

Day 203! ………………How Did We Get Here? (154)


“Boko Haram invades two towns in NE Nigeria”
“Three dead in Nigeria air crash as Boko Haram attack”
“Nigeria insurgents retake village of abducted schoolgirls”
“Boko Haram militants ‘seize Nigerian town of Chibok’”

I will like to comment on the above headlines, but what can I say?… Boko Haram is on a mission, and until they are rooted out, they will continue to prove to themselves that their mission is right. We all know that they are wrong, and that wrong can never over-shadow right. Let’s continue praying and watching. When the time comes, God’s time, we will all come to know who is in control. Their nemesis is walking right next to them, and with them.

(We will continue.)

Day 202! ………………How Did We Get Here? (153)


“Nigerian Army, Hunters and Vigilantes Retake Towns From Boko Haram”

So it is true that the hunters are now living up to their promise. The government should take them seriously. In fact, we know that hunters, especially in our mythologies, have special powers. Powers that sometimes allow them to change from their human nature to animal nature. In real life, we also know that hunters never hunt unless they have been re-enforced with charms buried in their skins, worn across the chest or as belt before they enter the forest to hunt. No hunter, in real life ventures into the forest without these charms that allow them to assume any form they chose while in the forest. If the hunters are getting results with Boko Haram, the government should take note and use their services.

“Nigeria to buy arms from Russia”

The news says that Nigeria is in negotiations with Russia to buy arms, and that Russia has not yet agreed to sell. I hope the government knows what they are doing. Let it not be like running from frying pan to fire. During the Biafran war, we had scientists who produced some dreaded and powerful weapons. We suspected that the war was brought to an abrupt end to stifle that kind development coming from the Igbos. I would rather Nigeria looks inward for arms rather than invite a country that now seems to be spoiling for a third world war. Nigeria should resuscitate the scientists of “Ogbunigwe,” (killer of droves).

“Why we refused to sell Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria – U.S.

(The United States has said that it refused to sell its Cobra helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about the Nigeria’s military ability to use and maintain them.)

What stops America from training the Nigerians to use the air crafts? Or is this just one of the many excuses?

(We will continue.)

Day 201! ………………How Did We Get Here? (152)


FP’s Siobhán O’Grady on how Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is blaming the United States for Boko Haram:

We have to remember that long before President Jonathan declared his intension for his second term, I have severally wondered why America did not live up to the promise made to Nigeria about helping Nigeria with the fight against Boko Haram. That President Jonathan might be using this now for his campaign is understandable. In politics, everything is game. The fact still remains that America has shown an open contempt to Nigerian’s Boko Haram problem. We do not understand the rational behind America’s behavior toward Nigeria, in Nigeria’s hour of great need, only time will tell. America’s behavior, and stand has given President Jonathan a campaign topic, and America better know it now, that we Nigerians are looking and watching the American death tango against Nigeria. We will not forget.

“US denies failing to help Nigeria fight Boko Haram”

Of course, we know that the US will deny failing to help Nigeria. If the US wanted to help, we would have seen results. No results mean no help, so why should we believe the denials?

“Hunters kill 75 Boko Haram members in Northern Nigeria”

Remember the hunters of Nigeria, and their promise to eliminate Boko Haram. There is a claim today that they are now living up to that promise. Whatever help is appreciated.
(We will continue.)

Day 200! ………………How Did We Get Here? (151)


“Boko Haram: Military raises fresh alarm”

…the insurgents have resorted to using women and children as human shields in order to halt or slow down the troops’ advance. –

We have known this all along, that Boko Haram will, and is resorting to this well known tricks of all Islamic fighters who use women and children as shield to advance and kill, while protecting themselves. Cowards! What can we say to the Military? Not to advance? Not to strike? I personally will want them to move on and strike, human shield or not. They should try and foray through the midst of the shield until they can get to Boko Haram. In war we make sacrifices.

“Boko Haram Can Be Defeated In 2 Months If… – Okorocha”

…only if visionary and efficient leadership is encouraged at the highest level of power in Nigeria.

This man here is talking politics. Sure Boko Haram has always been a political weapon created by the sponsors to cow the rest of the country. However, to defeat it requires the cooperation of all of us. Until the whole country sees the need to unite and root out Boko Haram, and I mean the whole country, Boko Haram will continue to prevail.

“Boko Haram, a political instrument of govt -Balarabe Musa”

…has described Boko Haram as an instrument of government created to destabilise the country and to shift focus during the 2015 elections.

If Balarabe is insinuating that Boko Haram is the birth child of the political South, then he must be dreaming, or he thinks the rest of us are fools. Boko Haram is the birth child of the North, which the North lost control of. Today, it has become the problem of the whole country.

(We will continue.)

Day 199! ………………How Did We Get Here? (150)


“Want to run for president of Nigeria? Only $132,000”

Even though the Nigerian money is the Naira, most Nigerians think of money in terms of dollars. Why so? Well, Nigerians are world travelers, and dollars is the only money that has value the world over. However, the above headline is scandalous. This is why politicians, civil servants and people in government only think of how to defraud. If someone can shell out such an amount, that person will consider the payment an investment. The Nigerian government has become, or rather, has been turned into a kind of business, where people who can invest the most, get the most return. This is Nigeria!

“Suicide bomber kills 48 students in Nigeria”

Absolutely, no comment!

“Nigerian ambassador blasts US refusal to sell lethal weapons for war on Islamic extremists”

The Nigerians now know who their friends are. At the end of all this, I will like to know what America will say or do. It will be interesting to know. One thing is certain, Nigeria will survive Boko Haram with or without help from America, or Britain, both comrades in setting Nigeria up for failure, but we will not fail. If only they know how resilient Nigerians can be. This thing called Boko Haram will self-destroy, and the enemies both abroad and at home will be put to shame for the part they played. God deh!

“Nigeria Says U.S. Not Giving Enough Support to Fight Rebels”

President Jonathan is saying this today, but he has not said exactly in what way the Americans are not supporting. We know they have refused to sell arms to Nigeria, and that they are watching to see Nigeria fall. No, Nigeria will not fall, we shall arise and all her enemies will fall.

(We will continue.)

Day 198! ………………How Did We Get Here? (149)


I am tempted again today to just show the headlines with no comments from me, but a word or two on each headline might be necessary.

“End of road for Boko Haram chief sponsor”

Strangely enough, a Lagos judge condemned this unnamed man to 10 years in prison with hard labour. What I know is that this man is only a scape goat, not the sponsor or the sole sponsor. They should find the others and prosecute them. (Boko Haram financier bags 10 years imprisonment)

“Military Plans ‘Operation No Mercy’ against Boko Haram”

About time! For months now, I have been advocating for this, that the Military do an all out sweep to flush Boko Haram out, girls or no girls. Let’s hope that the Military will put their guns where their mouths are and get to the business of freeing Nigeria from the Boko Haram’s pest.
“Nigeria’s Fight against Boko Haram Amid Western Hypocrisy”
The West has paid lip service to Nigerian’s Boko Haram problem so far, that when we hear them say they will help, we begin to suspect that they are asking for a ransom. Otherwise, why are they just standing by and watching Boko Haram barrage Nigeria? Or do they just enjoy seeing Nigeria humiliated?

“Only God, Reps can unseat me –Tambuwal”

This joker again! Does he know what it means for God to unseat him? If he is ready to die, he should go away quietly and do so, without holding anyone responsible, but he alone for dying.

(We will continue.)

Day 197! ………………How Did We Get Here? (148)


Headlines! Headlines!! Headlines!!!

Below are headlines about Boko Haram that speak for themselves. See what you can make of it.

I have no comment!

“Probing fake ceasefire with Boko Haram”
“Inside the Vigilante Fight Against Boko Haram”
“Nigerians flee as Islamic extremists dig in”
“Bombing rocks NE Nigeria bank as governor calls for more troops”
“Boko Haram: We’re in danger in Adamawa -Ngilari”
“Boko Haram may overrun Adamawa, Gov cries out • Begs military for more troops”
“Boko Haram casts shadow over Chad’s economy”
“Impeachment: Embattled Tambuwal takes case to divine court”

I cannot help commenting on this joker of a man. You all remember him? He is the one who crossed party lines, and has refused to resign from the post that belong to the party he deserted. Yesterday, he took forty-five lawyers to court to plead his case, today, he is taking his case to God. At least, we know that the pressure is on him to resign.

(We will continue.)

Day 196! ………………How Did We Get Here? (147)


“Boko Haram ‘takes five municipalities’ in Nigeria’s Adamawa state”

I am beginning to get tired of reading and writing about Boko Haram’s exploits, especially their winnings. Very soon, I will begin to ignore it, as anything other than releasing the girls should not be news at all. Just as they are ignoring the pains of the girls and their families, and forging forward with more killings and destructions, I will like to urge the world to ignore them forthwith.

“Was Nigeria’s government hoodwinked over Boko Haram ‘truce’?”

I hope the Nigerian government has learned their lesson. With Boko Haram, you do not deal, they do not deal, so we should not deal or hope to deal. If the government is not ready for an all out war against Boko Haram, they too should begin to ignore the activities of Boko Haram, and just allow them to go ahead and over-run the country. This is their aim after all.

“Tambuwal storms court with 68 lawyers”

Tambuwal the jester! This man is laughing at us, and definitely not with us, for we are not laughing at all. How can anyone laugh at the crime of this man? But, he thinks his actions are funny, and deserved a good laugh. Let’s wait and see who laughs last.

(We will continue.)

Day 195! ………………How Did We Get Here? (146)


“Summary execution, beheading, amputation claims in Boko Haram fight”

This article is accusing the Military of engaging in the same atrocities as Boko Haram, that is, summarily executing captured Boko Haram members. My deep sense of propriety tells me that this is wrong, but my sense of correctness tells me the opposite. Boko Haram has not shown mercy, and they do not deserve mercy. Maybe, if Boko Haram knows that they will get the same treatment that they are dealing out to others, it could change their modus operandi… I doubt it!

“Boko Haram casts shadow over Chad’s economy”

Boko Haram has shaken Nigeria, and in reflex, all the countries surrounding Nigeria will feel the shock wave. This is what is happening now to Chad. Cameroon has long been taking the blow from Boko Haram. At first, Cameroon was helping Boko Haram with hiding the captured girls, or were bullied into helping Boko Haram. Today, they are at the fore-front of attacking Boko Haram. We still have Niger and Benin republics who are still sitting on the fence and not joining the fray. In time, they too will come to understand. You do not wait out Boko Haram, you attack.

“Nda-Isaiah picks APC presidential form, says all hands must be on deck to rescue Nigeria”

This dude is not talking about defeating Boko Haram, but about the recent fall of the Naira. This fall has hit him and his cohorts under the belt, where it hurts, so they are talking of rescue. He forgets that without ousting Boka Haram, Nigeria will remain under siege .
(We will continue.)

Day 194! ………………How Did We Get Here? (145)


“Boko Haram mount dynamite raid, rob bank, in looting spree”

Boka Haram has added another explicit to their many derogative names. They are now also bank robbers. They raid banks to steal, and loot, to oil their war machines. They know when to strike to meet minimal or no confrontation from the Military. They have insiders who inform and direct their movements. Both informants and fighters on the ground will suffer the same retributions in the end.

“Nigeria Stocks Slide, Ousting Zimbabwe as Africa’s Worst”

It is no surprise that the Nigerian economy is suffering under the weight of Boko Haram’s spectre. Their style of destroying everything in their path have back-fired on them too. To survive, they now have to constantly raid new towns and villages to scavenge for food. Vultures! That’s what they are. Nigeria will survive Boko Haram!

“Nigeria’s Boko Haram renames seized town in Adamawa state”

Boko Haram likes to play games, as if this war is a game. They are trying all sorts of moves for attention as well as to irk those of us following their idiosyncrasies. They enjoy blood and pain, they crave it, and will do anything to inflict it. So also will it happen to them when the time comes.

(We will continue.)