FURTHERMORE, it is increasingly true that fundamentalist movements have gained strength in recent decades.

A good example is the Boko Haram and the Maitsaisane group in Maiduguri, Borno State that butchered people as if they were cows meant for consumption. Also recall the mayhem in Jos, which was termed religious riot.

Members of the movements organise their lives and communities around their religious beliefs; many are willing to sacrifice and even die for those beliefs.

Again, recall various religious riots in Nigeria by the Boko Haram in which many Nigerians were killed and the sect also lost some of their members because they are against western education. This, to me is an unprogressive and archaic belief.

We have suffered a lot of bomb blasts in this country and enough is more than enough, according to Professor Tam David-West. Let me just mention a few, Abuja bomb blasts, Madalla bomb blast, Jos bomb blasts, Kaduna bomb blast, Maiduguri bomb blast among many others.

Our security agencies have not been able to identify the people and their sponsors for possible prosecution. In this regards, we should look out for external assistance expeditiously to specifically go after for the bombers.

The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said of the Kano bomb blast, 'There is no place in today's world for such barbaric acts and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms those who carried them out. These events underline the importance of the international community standing together in the face of terrorism in all its forms'.

It is most appropriate to say that human beings can do anything to get whatever they want. Realising this, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wrote in his book, The Animal Called Man, 'Man is an insatiable animal as far as quest for position, power, possession, popularity and pleasure are concerned'.

I think we should congratulate ourselves since May 29, 1999 and for uninterrupted democratic governance for approximately thirteen years. To this end, therefore, one can happily say that democracy can effectively be practised in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, the past few years have been characterised by desperation for power, political parties without identifiable ideologies, electoral violence, killings, bombings, advance fee fraud (aka 419), kidnappings, lootings, massive corruption, prolonged and incessant electoral litigations and upturning of election results through judicial process.

Importantly, the rioters or those being used for criminal activities and their sponsors need to always remember the advice of an elder statesman and first executive president of Nigeria, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Shagari, when he said 'This moment in our history demands of all of us the spirit of tolerance and cooperation rather than retribution and intrigue.

If we succeed in highlighting the things that unite us rather than the things that divide us, we will have succeeded in bequeathing a fitting legacy to the coming generation'.

All progressive and articulate Nigerians irrespective of religion and tribe must dislodge the idea of being agents of darkness and destruction and focus on the path of truth, honour, fairness, progress and justice so that Nigeria can make meaningful progress economically and politically.

While Nigerians are sympathising with the families of all those who lost their lives, properties, and sense of security, Nigeria needs to be safer for all irrespective of tribe or religion.

In this direction, the Federal Government should lead and show the way, purposefully and decisively. This is because the inimical acts of the Boko Haram sect are condemnable as they are despicable.

We should all make Nigeria a safe place to live in order to attract investors that will help to provide employment for Nigerians.

Charles Ikedikwa Soeze is a Public Affairs Analyst and Communications Researcher based in Delta State, Nigeria. (08036724193) charlessoeze@yahoo.ca