OPINION: Should We Apologise to Boko Haram? By Segun Ayobolu

By Segun Ayobolu. This is the opinion of the writer only; it does not necessarily represent the opinions of trendydoc

Make no mistake about it. I totally disagree with their methods. I abhor their violence. I loathe the taking of innocent lives. I detest their bestial, savage, barbaric killing of innocent school children.

But then, could there possibly be something right about Boko Haram's claim that western education is a sin? The majority of Nigeria's western educated elite so much vindicate Boko Haram's position that the sect certainly does not need the current shedding of blood and wasting of lives to make its point.
In any case, what is sin?
In my view it is a violation of God's laws such as lying, stealing, murder, adultery etc. It is a breaching of moral codes. It is a negation of ethical standards. Most of Nigeria's western educated elite particularly in public office exhibit these vices on an industrial scale. They steal. They lie. They cheat. Their wanton corruption has stunted a remarkably endowed country's development resulting in the continuing avoidable deaths of millions of valuable lives. Yes, western education nurtures the intellect. It liberates the mind. It has led to the astonishing accomplishments of humanity in diverse spheres of endeavour. But it does not necessarily endow the individual with the moral values imperative for maintaining a decent, sane, humane and healthy society.
Most of Nigeria's western educated elite simply utilise their acquired knowledge and skills to commit the most heinous sins against their country and fellow country men and women. A good example are those bankers whose venality and moral depravity resulted in the collapse of several banks with severe, damaging implications for millions of depositors and shareholders and with consequences that continue to haunt the fragile Nigerian economy.
But let us move to another set of Nigeria's western educated elite whose actions amply validate Boko Haram's position thatwestern education is sin.
The country has 36 governors. These eminent citizens represent the cream of the country's western educated elite. Among them are medical doctors, lawyers, soldiers, engineers, architects, academics and so on. These respected citizens came together and voluntarily formed an association, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). 35 of these highly enlightened citizens gathered in a room to elect their chairman. No one was coerced there. We assume that they knew the meaning of elections and the implications of democracy before participating in the election. They voted. The votes were counted. The process was electronically recorded. A winner emerged. He had 19 votes. His opponent had 16 votes. Yet, the minority claims to be the majority. To these eminent western educated Nigerians, 16 is greater than 19. The loser not only parades himself as Chairman of the NGF, his faction has opened a secretariat in Abuja! This is is lying. This is cheating. This is deceit. This is a form of robbery. This is brazen fraud. This is original sin. Boko Haram members must be having a good laugh. They are surely vindicated. Western education, at least in this case, is grievous sin.
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