Rivers Of Insecurity: I Won't Abandon This Ship
"Security is like virginity: you're either a virgin or you're not. You either have security or you don't." - Lennart Meri
As a human being, one thing I loathe is fear. Like every other homo sapien, but with enhanced years of marshal arts training, practice and spiritualism, my physiological and psychological systems are programmed to respond to threats with something close to the speed of light. My stimulus-response time or reaction time is a product of series of 'shotokan kartas' and cosmic favour. Blessed good old days.
But here is the problem: with each news of killings, kidnappings, and mindless violence in Rivers State, my karate trained-mind and body is forced to react almost instantaneously to this monster called fear. I know that it's not good enough for my health. I know that life could be better.
Port Harcourt used to be a sweet city. We grew up to see a fast developing State, we even witnessed the incubation and eventual birthing of the Greater Port Harcourt City. Investors were trooping in from all over Nigeria to partake in the industrialisation story of Rivers State. The prices of land and rent were on a steady rise; the demand for housing was way higher than the supply. Things were good in those days.
Who wants to live in fear? Who wants to prolong an unnecessary romance with paranoia? Why suffer? In this life of a few days and flashes of joy, why should one intentionally subject his or her body, soul, and spirit to the tormenting embrace of negative forces? Why shouldn't man, a being who was created in the image of the creator enjoy the essence of creation - peace. Did God create man for kidnapping, killing or raging violence?
All that you needed in those days to succeed in Port Harcourt was to run with the right motivation, hangout with inspiring contacts, and maintain useful family relationships. It was a city of young and brilliant minds. The type of energy that radiated on the streets of Diobu, Town, GRA, and other bubbling areas of Rivers State, was enough to kick-start the making of another Lagos in Nigeria. It was a land of hope; anybody could become anything, there were no boundaries. Religion and Culture were often thrown into the dustbin right in front of the newest nightclub in town. It was all about the groove.
Today, the story of Rivers State, is one that cannot be told without the mention of the ten letter word - insecurity. In the last twenty four hours, I've been seriously thinking, and I've wondering if at all I want my name to be found in this sad tale of barbarism, diabolism, and foolishness.
My mind tells me that it's time to leave this shore. It is certain as the sun that the insecurity in Rivers State will continue unabated. The Rivers State Government, and indeed the Nigerian State have woefully failed to perform her primary responsibility; protection of citizens lives and properties.
But I believe in God, or whatever he's called these days . To me, he's that universal force that rewards the actions and inactions of men, that omnipotent and all-knowing being that raises heroes and heroines in the time of sorrow. I know that he won't abandon nor forsake me, ye, he will never allow my feet to be smitten by any stone. Except my calling is fake, my God will surely bring a Messiah that will deliver Rivers people from this acrimony.
That's the reason why I can live with this fiery demon of hopelessness and despair that has pervaded the entire length and breadth of Rivers State. Above karate and street knowledge, this is the reason why I will not abandon this ship.
~ Solomon Okocha