My last attempt at speaking truth to power focused on an article titled ‘Every Nigerian is Corrupt?’, published in the Nigerian Guardian and Nigerian Tribune of 25^th August 2008. The piece ended with a clarion call for Nigerian heroes. 

Today, I am interested to explore the term of heroes further but contrasting it with an illusionary idea in the ‘warped’ minds of suicide bombers who consider themselves heroes to their cause and religion.  Particular interest in this arises because it allows me an entry into another emotive word called martyr.  Some of the people involved in many struggles around the world particularly of the Al Queda version have been known to equate ‘martyrdom’ to the same level as heroism. But constantly I do wonder why these people crave the need for ‘martyrdom’ instead of heroism?  Some have suggested that it is poverty and oppression coupled with hopelessness that is at the root cause. I intend to draw from one of two sources to unpack this assumption.

The case of Murat Tawalbi who in May 2003 was arrested near Haifa, before the arrest he had planned to convert his body into a human bomb in a crowded marketplace and therefore propel him to paradise. On his mind, no doubt the thought of taking advantage of the promises of innumerable company of virgins and the associated fantasies as a reward.[1] 

This 19 years old and came from a refugee camp near the West Bank town of Jenin. He felt his brother who recruited him to this mission was in his own words doing him a huge favour: 

“He wasn't trying to make me wear an explosive belt. He was giving me a ticket to heaven.  Because he loves me, he wants me to become a martyr.  Because martyrdom is the most exalted thing in our religion. Not just anyone gets the chance to become a martyr.”

Thank God! Murad failed. But others have succeeded. Rather naively I ask again what drives them towards what I consider an unthinkable insanity?

Research by Dr David Stevens[2], of the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham, suggests that the widely-held view of suicide bombers as brain-washed religious fanatics, vulnerable through youth and poverty, is not an accurate one. He goes on to argue that while religion does plays a central role — there are few instances of non-religiously motivated suicide attacks — the suicide bomber is also driven on another level by a rational thought process. This is the desire to be part of a group that engenders strength and solidarity from strictness, and encourages members to submit totally to the collective aims of the group. Being part of an exclusive group with very strict beliefs requires intense commitment, and engenders a deep belief in shared experience and self-sacrifice.

In other words suicide bombers are thus motivated by a “simple cost-benefit analysis”, in which the 'benefits' of self-destruction outweighs the cost. The benefits are perceived by the terrorist to be so great — in terms of membership of the group, achievement of collective goals, the promise of benefits in the after-life, and so on — that they outweigh the cost. The benefits are perceived to be so great as to justify the action. Fortunately this is so only in extreme instances, under certain circumstances.

The attractions of intense solidarity does not only apply to fringe Islamic sects, but also to other extreme religious groups, Dr Stevens said.  Many members of other such groups — from the Moonies to the Branch Davidians — explain their decisions to join, and as importantly to leave, in terms of the costs and benefits of participation rather than in the context of a 'brainwashing' process.

Dr Stevens also argues that contrary to popular opinion, poverty, isolation and lack of education are not typical features of the bomber profile. Mohammad Sidique Khan, for example, who blew himself up in London on July 7, 2005, murdering six people in the process, was a 30-year-old with a young family of his own and a job working in primary schools with special needs children.

Another contributor, Dr. Ariel Merari, head of the Center for Political Violence at Tel Aviv University, has studied every suicide bombing in the Middle East since the U.S. Marine barracks were blown up in Beirut 18 years ago. He says the only abnormal thing about the suicide bomber is, at a certain point, a total absence of fear[3].

“I don't know of a single case of a person who is really psychotic,” says Merari. “And still, this absolute absence of fear, I doubt that it is a general personality characteristic. I doubt that this person under any circumstances would be fearless. On this mission, to which he was prepared for so long, like a coiled spring that just wants to be released.”

So allow me to delve further into this word martyrdom and in the process allow me to attempt to demystify it.

I draw from the West Wing series in dealing directly with the word ‘martyr’. A ‘martyr’ is described as someone who would rather suffer death at the hands of an oppressor than renounce his beliefs. I contrast this strongly with those who as suicide bombers kill themselves and innocent people in order to make their point. With many people I join in describing it as sick, twisted, brutal murder. Today in this world and in Nigeria our priority need is not for martyrs, it is, however, the need for heroes, for a hero would die for his country but he would much rather live for it. 

What we need in Nigeria today are heroes who would die so that the attractions of corruption, mis-governance, oppression, abuse of power is eradicated, so that truth is consistently spoken to power. But we also need is more of those women and men who would much rather live for Nigeria, to make it a better place to live, dwell and to behold its magnificent potential and glory. This is a goal to which I am prepared and willing to be identified with and speak to.

I end with memories of my old school, King’s College, Lagos, Nigeria, our school song which offers some clues of a way forward because of the great profundity it presents each generation of college students, the relevant part states:

“Though of many nations we will not forget,

That we are brothers with a common debt, 

Let us pay it by giving, as we forge ahead.

Service to our living. Honour to our dead.”

The writer is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Robot  Villager

# 1 My last attempt at speaking truth to power focused on an article titled ‘...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 30.08.2008 00:39

M. Akosa  Villager

# 2 This is a satanic, evil and dangerous idea!!!!!! Please every child of the living God MUST refrain from this ideology. What type of revolution has succeeded without human understanding, love, reaching out to enemies and competitors with respect, dignity and awareness of their strengths and vulnerabilities? Nigeria was destroyed as a result of the temptations and over zeal for hatred, inhumanity, exclusion, disrespect for others, ultimately the greater majority of its citizens suffer injustices, unleashed on them by their own leaders and supposed protectors, based on tribal, zonal, ideological and ethnic differences. Then how can one in their clear mind and sanity ADVOCATE for using hatred or ideological extremities like "MARTYRDOM" to solve Nigeria's problems????? Posted by M. Akosa| 30.08.2008 13:53

employlawone  Villager

# 3 I am astonished! You obviously have not read this article. How can you suggest that the article advocates the use of martyrdom to solve Nigeria's problems? Just to assist you, I will refer you to direct quotes from the piece: But constantly I do wonder why these people crave the need for ‘martyrdom’ instead of heroism? Another quote states: Thank God! Murad failed. But others have succeeded. Rather naively I ask again what drives them towards what I consider an unthinkable insanity? I develop this by stating: So allow me to delve further into this word martyrdom and in the process allow me to attempt to demystify it. I contrast suicide bombing sometimes but erroneously described at martyrdom by stating: A ‘martyr’ is described as someone who would rather suffer death at the hands of an oppressor than renounce his beliefs. I contrast this strongly with those who as suicide bombers kill themselves and innocent people in order to make their point. The conclusion calls for: But we also need is more of those women and men who would much rather live for Nigeria, to make it a better place to live, dwell and to behold its magnificent potential and glory. This is a goal to which I am prepared and willing to be identified with and speak to. I then end with this: “Though of many nations we will not forget, That we are brothers with a common debt, Let us pay it by giving, as we forge ahead. Service to our living. Honour to our dead.” So ma, what is the point of your response, its best to be contextual whilst reading pieces placed on this site. Thank you and God bless you. Posted by employlawone| 30.08.2008 14:11

M. Akosa  Villager

# 4 My Brother Employaone, I am strongly saying and repeating it again that any "FORM OF EXTREMITIES, BE IT IDEOLOGICAL OR PHYSICAL" must be shunned. If you claim or to suggest that the present elite of Nigeria or the situation must be dealt with by "fire to fire" in that way, I tell you again it is futile. Please go into the heart of the matter and the psyche of Nigeria's troubles, then you can never ever advocate for "ideological extremes". There is always a need for a rational balance!!! If you claim to be a victim, why? what role do you play in your troubles? are you a willing participant to your troubles, or is it ignorance, vulnerabilities, random, or it is just being unfortunate to being at the wrong place? All Nigerians, first of all need a soul searching to do, come to a civil consensus, try out and if possible exhaust passive means, before ever pushing that your button of ideological or physical extremes. The question is who are you fighting for? Who are you defending and from whom? Have you first of all gained a consensus from the so called victims, before unleashing the warriors??? Thank you & God bless. Mary. Posted by M. Akosa| 30.08.2008 15:27

employlawone  Villager

# 5 =M. Akosa;4295090922>My Brother Employaone, I am strongly saying and repeating it again that any "FORM OF EXTREMITIES, BE IT IDEOLOGICAL OR PHYSICAL" must be shunned. If you claim or to suggest that the present elite of Nigeria or the situation must be dealt with by "fire to fire" in that way, I tell you again it is futile. Please go into the heart of the matter and the psyche of Nigeria's troubles, then you can never ever advocate for "ideological extremes". There is always a need for a rational balance!!! If you claim to be a victim, why? what role do you play in your troubles? are you a willing participant to your troubles, or is it ignorance, vulnerabilities, random, or it is just being unfortunate to being at the wrong place? All Nigerians, first of all need a soul searching to do, come to a civil consensus, try out and if possible exhaust passive means, before ever pushing that your button of ideological or physical extremes. The question is who are you fighting for? Who are you defending and from whom? Have you first of all gained a consensus from the so called victims, before unleashing the warriors??? Thank you & God bless. Mary. ???? My Dear Sister, honestly am lost, I am unable to flow your thread of thoughts within the context of my article, please forgive me. Posted by employlawone| 30.08.2008 15:38

M. Akosa  Villager

# 6 To Employaone, What does this say to a person reading this article. This is a direct quote from this article!! Please my brother do not get lost!!! Refrain from the thoughts or ideas of extremes!!! To an innocent and naive mind it is very dangerous!!! "What we need in Nigeria today are heroes who would die so that the attractions of corruption, mis-governance, oppression, abuse of power is eradicated, so that truth is consistently spoken to power. But we also need is more of those women and men who would much rather live for Nigeria, to make it a better place to live, dwell and to behold its magnificent potential and glory. This is a goal to which I am prepared and willing to be identified with and speak to" My recommendation is to first of all get a clear consensus from Nigerians on their choice of solution to their problems, before suggesting or unleashing any extreme or radical ideas as a solution to the Nigerian problem. Extremities in ideas or practice can be nothing but a further damage and destruction, instead of a desired outcome by the architect of those ideas!!! Non violence, passive reasoning, and control of over reaction is more of a better means of achieving deadlocks and problems within human societies!!! Nigeria needs no further sacrifice (ideological or physical), only humans alive to say "THANK GOD WE SURVIVED AND OVER CAME NIGERIA" Thank you. Posted by M. Akosa| 30.08.2008 16:31

allaccess  Villager

# 7 Dead Mr M. Akosa, You are a typical Nigerian, you represent weakness and pissiveness well. People like you are the reasons Nigeria will never advance; people like you will prefare to be rules by colonialists and gangs of criminals instead of fighting and dying for that which is dear to your heart. I read your responses and a lot comes back to mind - I think of the hausa fulani hegemony, despite their lack of decent educational powess continue to dominate the more literate south of nigeria because by default southerners are weak and passive, yet gullible. A people who prefer to sit by idly and watch all taken from them. Mr M. Akosa, you can be summed up in 1 word, COWARD, and I amsure you know cowards die many times before their deaths. Posted by allaccess| 30.08.2008 19:13

mathelize  Villager

# 8 =allaccess;4295090981>Dead Mr M. Akosa, You are a typical Nigerian, you represent weakness and pissiveness well. People like you are the reasons Nigeria will never advance; people like you will prefare to be rules by colonialists and gangs of criminals instead of fighting and dying for that which is dear to your heart. I read your responses and a lot comes back to mind - I think of the hausa fulani hegemony, despite their lack of decent educational powess continue to dominate the more literate south of nigeria because by default southerners are weak and passive, yet gullible. A people who prefer to sit by idly and watch all taken from them. Mr M. Akosa, you can be summed up in 1 word, COWARD, and I amsure you know cowards die many times before their deaths. Thank you very much allaccess. People like Akosa won't support the idea of killing rulers who stole our money. OBJ, IBB, Abdul Salami and co. May God help Nigeria. Posted by mathelize| 30.08.2008 20:34

M. Akosa  Villager

# 9 To Mathelize & e.t.c, Who are you going to kill or shoot to recover Nigeria's money and loot??? Historically people like you betrayed the very first honorable brave Nigerians who unfortunately were naive, to use violence to try to change Nigeria, just because a greater majority of them were Igbos. As you claim that coward lives and dies hundred times, I am sorry a hero or warriors of your stock and calibre will live only once, but just a pitiful, pathetic and wretched life. Have Nigeria not conducted an election recently, even from the village you come from, did they not participate in an election in the Nigerian project? What does that tell you if you are a human being at all? Have so far Nigerians yet exhausted using civilized means to change their country, to now call on the use of shoot and kill as you are now shamefully suggesting??? It is an insult on Nigerians and their intellect to use violence to achieve political and social goals. I am sorry for you, violence will get you no where, it can only hurt you, and open you more wider to be screwed!!! Posted by M. Akosa| 31.08.2008 01:15

allaccess  Villager

# 10 =M. Akosa;4295091034>To Mathelize & e.t.c, Who are you going to kill or shoot to recover Nigeria's money and loot??? Historically people like you betrayed the very first honorable brave Nigerians who unfortunately were naive, to use violence to try to change Nigeria, just because a greater majority of them were Igbos. As you claim that coward lives and dies hundred times, I am sorry a hero or warriors of your stock and calibre will live only once, but just a pitiful, pathetic and wretched life. Have Nigeria not conducted an election recently, even from the village you come from, did they not participate in an election in the Nigerian project? What does that tell you if you are a human being at all? Have so far Nigerians yet exhausted using civilized means to change their country, to now call on the use of shoot and kill as you are now shamefully suggesting??? It is an insult on Nigerians and their intellect to use violence to achieve political and social goals. I am sorry for you, violence will get you no where, it can only hurt you, and open you more wider to be screwed!!! Dear Mr M. Akosa, The more I read about you the more sorry I feel for Nigeria – I truly apologise to freedom fighters of their day for your ignorance, childishness and ineptITUDE. May Nigerians have the fortitude, the bravery and the courage to one day fight with their lives for the changes needed to bring them to a better day. Listen to this childish comment “Who are you going to kill or shoot to recover Nigeria's money and loot???” What a sorry and fatuous comment??? This man then uses Igbos to make an example.....: Go read more and learn more about world history I say o brother! Go open your eyes to the emergence of nations and civilisations Mr Akosa, for without serious studies and serious enlightenment you may not be able to have an intelligent conversation with people here. That’s why I say to you that some of the greatest men of history finally lived “pitiful, pathetic and wretched lives” in order that their future generations might benefit from their sacrifices. Their sacrifices change The course of history and today their names are written in gold long after they have lived pitifully, pathetically and bloodily. Che Guevara is one of such pitiful, pathetic and wretched lives but **** people like you have come to idolise him as a symbol of revolution and change. Something you cannot say for the leadership of the Igbo during the CIVIL war, who ran away when the going was tough! A coward like you mentioned “participate in an election in the Nigerian project” I am learning about you fast sir; you are one of those who rather live in a military dictatorship and an embezzled civilian election so you do not have to put you bagatelle life in harms way; pepper soup and okrika clothes on Sunday + banter may never be disturbed because you are that average Nigerian who goes thought a meaningless life just to get by as a 2nd class citizen to mallams... and an exploited raped and looted/conquered coward who has come to accept his plight forever. Please tell your future generations to surrender before they are born so we might complete your picture Mr. Akosa. So we know what makes you tick, please tell us how you intend to “exhausted using civilized means to change the country”? I am interested in what you intend to do differently after the rest of Nigeria’s 140 millions have tried to do it in 48 years and failed!!! Oh, but fools die many times before their deaths. You have no way of making Muslim Northern Nigeria respect the rest of Southern Nigeria and come to accept and practice the constitution of the republic, you have no way of making Islam change its expansionist script. You sit there with no educative knowledge of the Nigerian projects and the stake holders in that project yet you are on cyber space commenting on what you don’t have the faintest idea about. Sir, it was violence that created peace in many regions of the world, for without war you cannot achieve peace in the present climate of the western hemisphere. It was uprisings and revolutions (many of them bloody) that unseated dictators and changed the course of history in many places (that Nigerians who are too scared for to do same migrate to). These democracies that we go to enjoy were not gotten by people adopting the MENTALITY OF NINCOMPOOPS LIKE MR M. AKOSA. Posted by allaccess| 31.08.2008 06:15

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