Open Response to Mallam Malami on his SPARE PARTS vs HERDSMEN gaffe

By Mazi Odera Igbo

Outside the fact that Mallam Malami who is MINISTER of JUSTICE NIGERIA (MJN) and also with the Prefix SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA (SAN) said and I quote “South East Governors prohibiting Open Grazing is akin to Northern Governors prohibiting selling of Spare Parts in the North”, such utterance would’ve been labeled comedy from the Ghetto, but his administrative Rank makes it a serious concern, as Nations who has literate equivalent of his office will judge Nigeria Lawyers harshly by assuming “In Land of the Blind, one eyed Man is the King”.

I did not find his suggestion repulsive because Uche bu Akpa, onye obuna nya Nke ya (Idea is like a Bag, each person on his own).
A mind that is stunted can never generate a wonderful thought, if merit were corner stone for appointment in Nigeria, some people will be committed to Court Clerk position, but I digress.

There is a saying that provides “Ikwu amaghi, ibe Ezi ya” (When one is bereft of Idea, kins man can lend him good Idea), but not as if Malami is a Kinsman but this is simply an Idiomatic expression please..

DEAR MJN, you know with your outspoken words which bring questions on your certification as a Lawyer, not to talk about your SANship, but I will try and reason with you, so we all can fair better.

Spare Parts dealers and any other trader, enters Town, from day one gets accommodation, have an address and start being friendly with the neighbors,they will set out and definitely coming home at Dusk to rest his body, they contribute to welfare of the society, they buy Land as the business of Motor spareparts progresses, then build a house that empowers local Builders and they live by the laws of the Land, whatever a Spare Parts seller does in the community is addition never a minus..

Mostly because they are raised with Love and to have HOME AWAY FROM HOME, as nobody can tell when Mr Death will come calling, that you didn’t enjoy your life because you spend most of your life outside your Town hating or maiming others doesn’t mean you will have part 2 of another life, Uwa bu ofu Mbia and we make do with the one we have .

Those Spare Parts sellers cannot, will not and can never enter into a Farm land that is not his to cause acrimony, instead they buy whatever they want from indigenous farmers or start farming even in a strange Land..

While Herdsmen and the likes, do not rent a house instead they sleep in the Open, dense Forest, uncompleted Buildings that is not theirs , they don’t even buy from Local shops as it seems they are allergic to healthy living , they don’t invest in any Land they dwell because they live in the Bush without permission and they dare anybody who wants them out.

The Herdsmen prefer Open Grazing on people’s Farm, where crops are sowed, they allowed thier Flocks to maul down another man’s Labour and that brings hostile reactions as what they did is aggressive and challenging .

By the way, many consider the non residential status of most of the Northern migrants in other part of Nigeria as acute security threat as they don’t have accountable address where any of them can be located for questioning or contacted for benefits.

The difference between one who contributes positively to his Host and one who contribute nuisancely can’t be compared.. Let’s say, one can be called PLUS and the OTHER minus, so the basis for comparison disappeared into oblivion.

I want you to also consider that even if all shops of Ndi Spare parts are closed, they will simply start selling Camels which is aboriginal form of movement for some people, then they will start selling articles of decorations of a Camel as well and they will bring innovation into Camel business, which will infuriate those who don’t understand that Blessing of God adds no sorrow.. Ka anyi na ejegodi..

The immediate cure to the malaise is for SOUTHERN GOVERNORS to enact a Law that all dwellers must have an Address, have evidence of contributing to growth of his dwelling environment, not living more than 3 adults in any given House, eradicate squatting in an uncompleted building, fish out any person who doesn’t have legitimate place of abode as that gives room for Vandals and habour Kidnappers, Rapist, Robbers and all the Bad Vices nobody wants around any City that have Kids and love Peace.

Lastly, there are other members of your Tribe whose business and Life style wasn’t prohibited, such as those selling ONIONS, SUGAR CANE, TOMATOES, MOBILE TAILORS, FISH and SUYA, this people may not live in a house, but they don’t constitute nuisance… They live in peace with the people and environment.

The Last group can be equated with Spare Parts sellers only in trading at peace, but on investment to improve society, Spare Parts Dudes are known to be investors and promoters of Human relations.

Before I go to Church now, let me give you a practical demonstration of how wide the Gap between both sides are…. Spare parts seller are known to rent houses, rent Stores, rent Warehouses and employ certain indigenes to help them and both grow, those they employ also earn a living from the sweat of the Spare Parts seller, but on the NAMA sellers, they don’t know where Houses are located and certainly don’t have use for it.

I am Mazi Odera POg JP, Last Born Mpa Nnukwu, Mkpisi Ndi Egede, Special Adviser on Good Governance, Minority Opinion writer na South East, Nwa Chukwu Ku na aka na ONWU agaghi egbu nwu ya, Dibia Onu Ike adighi agbalu Ekperima afa and I come in peace… Let me head to Church with my Ekpere na Abu tucked under my armpit as Today is Youth Fellowship that will play with Local instruments, I will dance down fire Today.