The only game I have ever taken any deep interest in is chess. I also follow football but more out of the necessity to keep informed with the most popular game on earth. Chess is probably the only game that requires at least an average intelligence quotient (IQ) for you to be able to participate; but then you will not enjoy it because it will be quite a struggle comprehending what is going on. Little wonder why it attracts students and professionals in fields like medicine, law, engineering and so on.

I can still recollect, with nostalgia, couple of years back when all the best chess players in Nigeria used to converge in LUTH, Idi-Araba to play blitz-which can aptly be described as speed chess. There was the only International Master in Nigeria then, Tola Akintola; I cannot forget the genius, Odion, the fastest chess player in Nigeria (national blitz champion) who later became an international master by drawing with a Russian GM at the world chess Olympiads. Others include, Dashe, Bimbo Adelaja, Martin Odum, Okechukwu Iwu (No relation of the dim-witted, rogue, Maurice Iwu of INEC). Okey Iwu, now a US- based cardiologist; he was a year ahead of Odum and I. Odum Martin is based in Nigeria practising medicine

Although the game of chess originated in India, the Russians (USSR) have been far more successful compared with other chess-playing nations ever since they have their first contact with the game in the 9^th century AD.

Interestingly, the known Russian chess players of the past were high-ranking military officers, the ruling class or the bourgeois. Notable amongst them were, Ivan IV “the terrible,” Sergey Urusov (1827-1897), who later became a Major General in the Russian army and also had a chess opening named after him – Urusov Gambit. Carl Jaenisch (born in 1838) was a major in the Russian army and was credited to have written many books on chess openings; Nikolai Krylenko (1885-1938) was a Russian revolutionary and Soviet jurist. He held the position of commander in chief of the Russian forces. The popular Russian champions of the 1980s and 1990s include Anatoly Karpov and Gary Kasparov.

Cuba is another country that has a profound chess culture. The country produced one of the greatest chess champions ever, Jose Raul Capablanca (1888-1942). The former Cuban president Fidel Castro and his revolutionary pal Dr. Che Guevara were known to be keen enthusiasts of the game.

One thing that fascinates me about the chess game is the way it can easily be used to mirror real life situation. I would not be surprised if the interest shown by some of the men I have mentioned above goes beyond the physical chess board and the pieces.

Anyway, I was recently prompted to bring out my computer chess board again after a very long time because of the unfolding events in the Niger Delta. After a few thoughtful games, I decided to offer some advice to my brothers in the movement for the emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) who might be tempted to consider the amnesty offer recently made to them by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a game of chess, a well played opening would give you a better position which, if well handled, can lead to a massive advantage in the middle game. MEND played the opening game brilliantly and that is why they are now recognised by all regional bodies and even the United Nations. MEND is the officially recognised body that can speak on behalf of the long-suffering masses of the Niger Delta region. In my opinion, the hope of all the suffering masses in the whole country might actually rest on the activities of MEND.

The achievements of MEND arguably dwarf all previous attempts by any known ethnic group within the country to bring the FGN to recognise the injustices that have been committed against the masses by the irredeemably hopeless ruling class. The Igbos have tried with very little success; June 12 was another injustice against the Yorubas. The Hausa/Fulani hegemony continued to terrorise the Christians of Southern Kaduna; the issues in Plateau state continued to be a festering sore. These are just a few. NADECO and later PRONACO have continued to plead that the country needs a sovereign national conference, but the FGN doesn’t see them as a potent threat. The OPC and Bakassi are just tribal nonsense with no real impact on the activities of the thieving politicians.

The chess game between MEND and the government of Nigeria entered the middle game and suddenly things changed. Criminality entered the struggle; and there were kidnappings for ransom while some militants were engaged in outright armed robbery. Some were even used by the political class as thugs to rig elections. At this point, MEND had thrown away all the advantages that they had at the opening of the game. They lost so much goodwill and divided the whole nation. Some saw them as criminals while others still identified with the struggle. I belong to the latter group.

Similarly, in the game of chess you can lose your opening advantages either because you did not realise you had one or because you lack the skill and wherewithal to exploit it. Anyhow, at that point what usually happens is called equality, with the game looking increasingly like a draw. That was exactly what happened when criminality took over the struggle in the Niger Delta. In fact, the FGN came out better in the middle game and were looking forward to finish off MEND. That was a mistake!

In chess, an obvious advantage can actually be a fluke because if you lack a very deep understanding of the game it might be a grievous error to go for a kill on the back of an isolated gain. A good chess master would rather accumulate the advantages and wait for the enemy to self-destruct.

The government of Nigeria and their posse of advisers spotted a fluke isolated advantage and went for the jugular of MEND by ordering a full attack on the militants with no considerations whatsoever for the defenceless women and children in that region. One of the members of the ruling class even suggested the extermination of twenty million Niger Deltans. Meanwhile, their own wives and children are all over America and Europe shopping and enjoying the money that came from the Niger Delta. The Nigerian ruling class are the most callous set of human beings that I have ever read about. The Khmer Rouge of Vietnam, in my opinion, came a distant second. Anyhow the last move by the government automatically drew the battle line for the end-game.

Maybe it is me, but has anyone noticed the grave silence from all the other ethnic groups, including PRONACO, that have issues with the way things are in the country? It was exactly the same during the BIAFRA; all the other groups suddenly developed mutism; while others gave their tacit support to the murderous regimes in power at the time. Only one political party, Action Congress, has been consistent in their criticism of the actions of the government. The Nigerian press gave more space to the reported R. Kelly gig that took place in South Africa.

MEND got battered in the middle game and entered the end game badly bruised and realised that the game might be coming to an abrupt end. However, in chess, your opponent becomes more deadly when the game seemed to be coming to an unexpected end. That is when he becomes calmer and therefore able to think and see better. The government was coasting to an easy win when suddenly MEND discovered the age-long move - “kamikaze!”

The kamikaze were suicide attacks used by the Japanese in World War II against the allied forces. The kamikaze pilots would attempt to intentionally crash their aircrafts - which are often filled with explosives and bombs - into allied ships. In the game of chess, kamikaze are form of gambits, sacrifices which you make to force your opponent to lose concentration and cede to you some of the advantages he might have previously gained.

MEND’s strategy shifted from taking what rightly belongs to them to sabotaging oil installations in the Niger Delta. How could this move possibly benefit the Niger Delta? No, it wouldn’t but then it is also not in the interest of Abuja to not have any income to run the affairs of the state; or better still to not have any money to steal. 

The gambit worked! The government of President Yar’Adua panicked; and this was too obvious to even a primary school pupil. Overnight MEND had achieved what no other ethnic group had been able to since Nigeria became independent in 1960. The government suddenly started brandishing an olive branch - N50.0 billion amnesty offer. What kind of amnesty offer is that? A committee was hurriedly set up to work out modalities for the programme, but MEND continued to weaken the government’s position by destroying more pipelines. I am loving this game! I have a feeling those boys in the creek are enjoying the game too. Interestingly, some so-called militants have started showing up from nowhere claiming they are ready to take the government’s offer. My fellow Nigerians, these are the real criminals behind the kidnappings, raping and all other atrocities. Only criminals take up amnesty; revolutionaries either achieve what they set out to do- which is fairness and justice for everybody- or are defeated or die in the course of the struggle. Criminals on the other hand take up amnesty offer. BIAFRA never took any amnesty offer - It was a no victor, no vanquished outcome. 

In my last article titled: Nigerians: The Happiest People And The Most Stupid, a lot of the comments asked me to proffer solution rather than moaning about the decay in the country. Well, the MEND issue and the fact that the government is badly wounded now, is my only answer. If we lose this opportunity to hammer the government into a state of total stupor, we might never have another chance in my lifetime. MEND had exposed the underbelly of the Nigerian government. They are a bunch of thieves and would do anything to keep the oil flowing.

MEND should continue to sabotage the oil installations until our output reaches zero. They don’t have too many choices anyway. Nigerians that seek justice, fairness and a country that they can be proud of must continue to support MEND in whatever way they can. I hope Gbomo Jomo, the spokesperson of MEND reads Sahara reporters and NVS. Palestine authorities have clandestine ways of raising money from Palestinian citizens all over the world; same goes for other organizations all over the world.

MEND is recognised worldwide for their struggle against the forces of darkness. MEND should also know that there are many Nigerian groups in Diaspora who are ready to send regular donations in hard currencies to them. They should get in touch with the different platforms like Sahara-Reporters and NVS – on these sites are people who support the struggle. They should just give the words and the money will roll in-tens, twenties, fifties - dollars and pounds. Fifty pounds monthly would not hurt a lot of Nigerians in Diaspora who believe in the struggle to free Nigeria from the shackles of oppression.

This is the end-game so MEND should expect all sorts of illegal tactics from a wounded government. Like in a game of chess, MEND must hold their nerves, remain calm, double check every single move, wait, wait and wait even more, until the government is completely haemorrhaged to death. Then out of the carcasses of the old Nigeria a new Nigeria will emerge where all the different nationalities will decide over a round table how they want to live together. MEND should realise that they are carrying the hopes of over one-hundred and forty million Nigerians who are too scared and have been cowed into living like dogs in their country. When ‘blood oil’ stops flowing and there is no more free money to steal, the present blood-stained Nigerian state will die naturally.

Dr. Olusola Osineye.

Robot  # 1 | 03.07.2009 07:04

The only game I have ever taken any deep interest in is chess. I also follow football but more out of the necessity to keep informed with the most popular game on earth. Chess is probably the only game that requires at least an average intelligencequotient (IQ) for you to be able to participate; but then you will not enjoy it because it will be quite a struggle comprehending what is going on. Little wonder why it attracts students and professionals in fields like medicine, law, engineering and so on. I can still recollect, with nostalgia, couple of years back when all the best chess players in Nigeria used to converge in LUTH, Idi-Araba to play blitz-which can aptly be described as speed chess. There was the only International Master in Nigeria then, Tola Akintola; I cannot forget the genius, Odion, the fastest chess player in Nigeria (national blitz champion) who later became an international master by drawing with a Russian GM at the world chess Olympiads. Others in...Read the full article.

Olasone  # 2 | 03.07.2009 10:54

What a fanstastic article! Thank you Dr. Olusola for this piece, it certainly is one of the best i have read on the NVS in a while, no sentiments whatsoever detected in it, you said it as it simply is We pray God gives these boys (MEND) the fortitude to remain true to their course and completely asphyxiate the thieving Nigerian ruling elite from the oil wealth that is supposed to be the commonwealth of all Nigerians and a blessing to us, then we shall see what the FGN's mettle really is!

Metternich  # 3 | 03.07.2009 12:48

Brilliant!!!

Abraxas  # 4 | 03.07.2009 15:12

Hi, Dr. Olusola Osineye! =Dr. Olusola Osineye;368840>This is the end-game so MEND should expect all sorts of illegal tactics from a wounded government. Like in a game of chess, MEND must hold their nerves, remain calm, double check every single move, wait, wait and wait even more, until the government is completely haemorrhaged to death. Then out of the carcasses of the old Nigeria a new Nigeria will emerge where all the different nationalities will decide over a round table how they want to live together. MEND should realise that they are carrying the hopes of over one-hundred and forty million Nigerians who are too scared and have been cowed into living like dogs in their country. When ‘blood oil’ stops flowing and there is no more free money to steal, the present blood-stained Nigerian state will die naturally. You have said it all. Thank you for letting me be my self, again. Muchas gracias, mi hermano. Obrigado! Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

mathelize  # 5 | 03.07.2009 15:27

I didn't comment on your first article. Both articles are briilliant. Nothing should stop those People who are asking you to proffer solutions to the failed state's problems from offering their own solutions. On the issue of contributing and donating money to the Mend boys bombing of pipelines, I'm ever ready to contribute the little I have so that they can continue to destroy the pipelines and reduce oil income to zero if possible. They carry hopes of those of us who don't believe in the fraudulent establishment called Nigeria. If our thieving and coward yoruba rulers and wounded igbos could summon courage and support these guys, we would be able to send these mallams to their brethren in Niger and Chad to wallow in poverty for the rest of their lives.

Anioma777  # 6 | 03.07.2009 22:53

Wonderfully written. I really do enjoy reading your articles:D

iamgod  # 7 | 04.07.2009 03:47

Thank you very much sir for another briliant piece. I personally have been concerned..why does MEND not have a website? How do we get in touch with the leaders of MEND? Like you rightly stated in your article, maybe MEND does not realise that they are gradually becoming a rallying point for millions of disenfranchised Nigerians. I hope the leaders of this movement regularly visit NVS and SR. I am personally ready to contribute monthly to this struggle and mobilise others to do so too. Im also very shocked at the blindness of millions of Nigerians, who have not suddenly realised how weak and unstable the Federal Government is. Considering the events of the past weeks.

Dapxin  # 8 | 04.07.2009 06:46

=Metternich;368840>Brilliant!!! +1 to that. Simply Brilliant! And here is my hands up in the air - If there is anyone who's got the proper links to supporting MEND indeed, here am I.

Kay Soyemi (Esq.)  # 9 | 06.07.2009 12:50

Maybe it is me, but has anyone noticed the grave silence from all the other ethnic groups, including PRONACO, that have issues with the way things are in the country? It was exactly the same during the BIAFRA; all the other groups suddenly developed mutism; while others gave their tacit support to the murderous regimes in power at the time. Only one political party, Action Congress, has been consistent in their criticism of the actions of the government. The Nigerian press gave more space to the reported R. Kelly gig that took place in South Africa. Hello Doc, I think you have spoken very well again except for that section of your article which I have highlighted by underlining above. In my opinion, AC does not represent the common man in Nigeria and are naught but a part of the litter of jackals in the Nigerian political landscape waiting to feast on the carcass; called Nigeria. Let us not be fooled by mere grandstanding and verbose gestures. A lot of the Nigerian Press is controlled by AC stalwarts and have been a part of the "mutism" that you referred to - see what I mean! As to the other suggestions, I gladly back them, but how do we reach out to those of the MEND who are truly steeped in the struggle to define the terms of our relationship with the thieving elites? I would hate to think my meagre income from cleaning toilets in a foreign land will simply create an avenue for someone to grow corpulent and negotiate a settlement with those whom we accuse of perfidy. At the moment, I will say let the boys keep on sabotaging the oil pipelines that feeds and oil the greed of Abuja and our thieving elite. There is no greater bargaining chip and when these chips are down, as they most certainly will, then the FGN will come to the table with all humility and earnestness. Presently, what we have is the arrogance that money drives all Nigerians, including the MEND fighters, otherwise they would not have offered the #50 billion bribe out of money that does not belong to them in the first instance! Nigerian masses are down and desperate and those who are down need fear no fall and as the MEND fighters have proven desperate situation demands desperate solutions. The likes of PRONACO, NADECO, MASSOB et al are headed by people who have a stake in the present status quo and are largely insincere, so Nigerians do not need to look in that direction for solace or guidance. Let our future leaders come from the creeks! Let the Nigerian salvation arise from the ravaged and despoiled lands of the Niger Delta. We'll be better off for it.:rant:

Shoko Loko Bangoshe  # 10 | 06.07.2009 14:01

This is the end-game so MEND should expect all sorts of illegal tactics from a wounded government. Like in a game of chess, MEND must hold their nerves, remain calm, double check every single move, wait, wait and wait even more, until the government is completely haemorrhaged to death. Then out of the carcasses of the old Nigeria a new Nigeria will emerge where all the different nationalities will decide over a round table how they want to live together. MEND should realise that they are carrying the hopes of over one-hundred and forty million Nigerians who are too scared and have been cowed into living like dogs in their country. When ‘blood oil’ stops flowing and there is no more free money to steal, the present blood-stained Nigerian state will die naturally. There's no denying that MEND's operations to cut Nigeria's oil production has definitely caused the Nigerian government to take it seriously. And I'm not very sympathetic with a government that in the past has callously treated people of the Niger Delta as it allows the pollution of their environment while oil is extracted from it. But I'm not supportive of MEND either. For me, the issue is that they have never really clearly defined themselves and their strategy to the extent that they are easily separable from the criminals and other militants operating in the area. One moment, they are announcing a ceasefire; the next, they are re-attacking. Also, their aims are not clearly defined and well thought out; at one point, they were asking for Alamieyeseigha to be released; at another point, they were asking for billions of dollars of reparations to the people of the Niger Delta. What I would like to see them do is to be clearer on strategy and aims. One thing they should definitely call for is a timeline from the government to end spillage of oil in the Delta. They should state clearly that any delay in the formulation of a plan by such and such a date would lead in a resumption of attacks. Another thing they could press for is more transparency in the administration of the NDDC so that it was clearer how the benefits intended for the people of the Niger Delta were being disbursed. And they could also press for freer and fairer elections in the Niger Delta states so that people got a chance to vote for people who really cared about their welfare, rather than putting up with PDP-imposed candidates. As for the bolded bit, that is just wishful thinking. MEND's primary interest is to the people of the Niger Delta, and rightly so. If other groups are interested in a national conference, they should do their own work to make that happen, rather than relying to the efforts of a single group that they are not willing to support openly. Anyhow, it'll take more than a drying up of oil revenue to end the dominance of the Nigerian government over the affairs of the Nigerian people.