Myles Munroe’s death, Boko Haram’s fascination with Chibok… 10 headlines from last week

The just concluded week paints a portrait adorned with intense emotional colours, from overwhelming love to extreme hatred, from beauty of joy to the agony of sadness, from political enmity to religious fanaticism. But if there were just 10 things that defined how the just concluded week went, these are the likely picks.

MYLES MUNROE’S TRAGIC EXIT

The week woke up to the death of a man of steel, a teacher of teachers, father to millions, and friend to few, Myles Munroe. Although Munroe had torched every continent in the world with his powerful teachings, the Bahamas preacher just got much more famous at death, as many people got to know more about him. Though his death, in a plane crash alongside wife and six others, was tragic, Munroe was celebrated even in death. Many who just got to know him thought he was Nigerian because many Nigerians celebrated his life with quotes, display pictures and endless tribute. Rest in peace.

ATIKU THE FOUNDING AND FUNDING FATHER OF PDP, ACN

During the past week, Atiku Abubakar attempted the adjustment of his political image, cleansing himself from all political taints of corruption. The former vice president said he was already a multi-millionaire in dollars for more than 20 years, so money was no stranger to his treasury.

In an exclusive interview with TheCable, Atiku said he was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), while referring to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as his last bus stop. The presidential aspirant explained that he spent over N500m setting up the PDP, renting the party’s secretariat before eventually buying it. He recalled that during the funding times, no one ever accused him of corruption.

ANOTHER BOMB BLAST, AS USUAL, IN YOBE

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation (UNESCO), Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children. More than 10 million Nigerian school-age children are out of school, but this number may just be set to increase. On Monday, a suicide bomber who disguised as a student at the statutory assembly ground at Government Comprehensive Science Secondary School, Potiskum, Yobe, blew self killing at least 47 students, leaving scores injured. If schools are becoming sites for terrorist activities, then more students may be on their way out.

MILITARY JETS SEE RED, COULD IT BE SHEKAU?

On Monday, an Air force jet crashed just four minutes after take off, in Damare, Adamawa state. Thankfully, no life was lost. But on Friday, barely three days after, another military aeroplane crashed in Yola, killing all three crew members.  The cause of both incidents has not been identified, though the military said the Damare accident was being investigated.

Earlier in one of his numerous videos, Abubakar Shekau had claimed to have brought down 10 military aircraft. Is there any chance he is responsible for these two crashes in four days?

CNN SENDS NIGERIAN MONEY BACK HOME

On Tuesday, Cable News Network (CNN) was reported to have rejected political adverts from Nigerian politicians and political groups ahead of the 2015 general election. Speaking to TheCable through its account manager, Ashley Hogan-Gancarz, the Atlanta-based news firm said the outfit “never accepted any political or religious advertising”.  This action would mean such huge funds that were being carted away to the international media may just be finding their way home to the local media.

However, the All Progressives Congress momentarily found its way around the strict advertising rules, successfully getting its “change for democracy” advert aired on the same news channel, though avoiding the plea for the people’s vote. Is APC smarter than other political parties?

JONATHAN IS RUNNING

After “seeking the face of God in quiet reflection and consulting family and the people”, Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s incumbent president, has decided to eat his own words (contained in the July 29, 2011 edition of TheGuardian newspaper) not to stay in office beyond 2015. Last week, he “accepted the plea of the people” to run for a second term in office.

In his declaration speech on Tuesday, Jonathan said his administration would bring an end to sectarian violence in the country, saying we cannot go back to the old ways. He had better end the violence between now and May 2015. Who knows, he may or may not be in power beyond then.

MALI JOINS THE IGNOMINIOUS EBOLA LEAGUE

After the loss of a two-year-old girl to Ebola, scores were quarantined, as Ebola was no longer considered “just a guest” in Mali. However, on the release day, Ebola broke out again with the death of a Malian nurse and his patient who he was reported to have contracted the virus from.

In Sierra Leone, nurses  and other health workers embarked on an industrial action to clamour for their hazard allowances of about N15,000 per week as agreed with the government, which pays $5,000 (N775,000) to the families of health workers who lost their life in the battle against Ebola. Over the last week, Sierra Leonean health workers expressed their feeling that it is better to have N15,000 while living than N775,000 while dead.

OLD CENTENARY GETS NEW NOTES

Although this is the 11th month of Nigeria’s ‘centenary’ year, 2014, the federal government unveiled the new N100 note on Wednesday to celebrate 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation.

The note, which spots one of the most advanced security features in the modern world, is combines cultural heritage with transformation and other distinctive features that truly celebrate Nigeria.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA DARES EBOLA

Morocco, the initial host of the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) requested the postponement of the tournament due to the EVD ravaging some West African countries. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) did not only dismiss Morocco’s request but also disqualified the country from two African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments with a fine of $20m. Equatorial Guinea would play host to the rest of Africa as it dares the deadly virus. CAF’s action of accepting an already-disqualified team back into the tournament raises a question on its integrity, though, seeing it can allow a “cheating team” back into the tournament.

BOKO HARAM-CHIBOK UNHOLY UNION

Despite carting away (and claiming to have married off) 219 girls from Government Secondary School Chibok seven months ago, Boko Haram won’t leave the bereaved Chibok community alone just yet. Last week, the sect revisited the town capture it.

The extremist who numbered more than 200 seized the community on Friday after overcoming the military and vigilante presence in the community. However, the good news is that the military has recovered the community as a part of one sovereign Nigeria.

So what’s the next phase of this unholy Chibok-Boko Haram union? We honestly hope this is the end.