‘Time magazine 100 influential people list is an insult to Nigeria’

A concerned Nigerian, Ariyo Obe, reviews the controversial Time magazine 100 influential people in the world list which came out this month and states that it’s a disservice to the universe. For the first time in history, four Nigerians made it onto the prestigious Time Magazine 100 most influential people list. Nigeria’s President-elect Muhammadu Buhari; arrowhead of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, Dr Oby Ezekwesili; award-winning Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; and curiously, Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram. To be on this list is no mean feat. In the past top achievers like the late President Mandela, The Dalai Lama and other important contributors to positive life on earth have been so recognised. As a Nigerian, it is indeed pleasing to see the President-elect, Chimamanda and Dr Ezeikwesili recognised this way. Even though I did not support his campaign for Presidency, there is no denying that General Buhari is a huge inspiration to many Nigerians. Having run for office in each of the last four Presidential elections since 2003, the fact that he was successful at the last attempt is of huge significance to many Nigerians who are wont to ascribe ‘spiritual’ meanings to the most mundane of occurrences. Again, the doggedness of Ezekwesili and the leadership role she has played in highlighting the issue of the missing Chibok girls is also worthy of inspiration. On her own part, Chimamanda has been a great export of Nigeria on the international scene. A prolific writer, she commands respect across the globe for the brilliance and versatility of her work. I believe these three recognitions are well deserved and should be celebrated. They are the sort of positive icons we need across Nigeria, Africa and the black race to motivate and inspire our children and young people to achieve and develop. What is confusing though is to see these noble names on the same list as that of Shekau. It’s baffling to see the name of the one person responsible for total carnage, death and destruction across the landscape of Nigeria over the past six years or so equally on the Time magazine list. That Shekau – bloodthirsty terrorist and butcher of children and women is named as an influential personality of the year by Time is an insult to the 15,000 men, women and children killed by this man and his gang of terrorists across the length and breadth of Nigeria. We of course must not forget the over 2 million people who have been displaced across Nigeria and in neighbouring countries by Shekau’s nefarious activities and all those maimed and orphaned by him and his group. How influential can Shekau be regarded by the multitudes of children and students killed by Boko Haram? Ranging from the July 6th, 2013 attack at Mamudo Government Secondary School in Yobe where at least 41 children and one teacher were killed; to the September 29th, 2013 Gujiba College massacre where suspected gunmen entered the male dormitory in the College of Agriculture in Gujiba, Yobe State and killed at least 44 students and teachers; the Baga massacre of April 19th to 20th, 2013 in Borno State where over 228 people were murdered as well as the first major onslaught on March 8th, 2010 in the Dogo Nahawa in Plateau State where more than 500 villagers including several children were killed in cold blood. There were also other attacks carried out on churches and markets with high children casualty. Which of these victims dead or alive would regard Shekau as ‘influential?’ Whether negative or positive, the word ‘influential’ cannot and should not be used to describe a terrorist and a mass murderer. The irony of this recognition is not lost on me. Shekau, responsible for the abduction of over 200 girls from their school on the night of April 14th, 2014 is recognised – in the same vein and by the same body equally recognising the key person who has been responsible for highlighting the case of the girls – the Chibok girls – Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili. The key question is: “Why couldn’t Time recognise the Chibok girls themselves on its influential list?” Their plight is well known and recognised all over the world. Thousands of people have called for their release; girls across the world expressed concern for their suffering, including Malala who was also recognised on the list. Having a major terrorist recognised as an ‘Influential Person of the Year’ is one of the best ways to encourage young people into terrorism. What Time has unwittingly done is to turn Shekau into a matyr. If he wasn’t so recognised before, he is now a hero to other terrorists and potential terrorists around the world. This Time recognition, in my view, is a major disservice to the entire universe. I do not know what inspired the Time to so award and recognise the one person who has done so much damage – but I am sure many will agree – he is not the sort of influential person we want in Nigeria. This man should be found, arrested and indicted for crimes against humanity. He should be prosecuted and jailed for the rest of his life for the evil he has perpetrated on Nigeria and Nigerians. In Nigeria, we do not and can never recognise nor accept him as our ‘influential person of the year.’