Illuminating the Arts-Policy Nexus 

An eye for an eye will end up making the World blind. The Jama'atul-ahlul-Sunnah Lidda'awati wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram is a Sect, which was given birth to due to both failure of the government as well as the society. It has its root from the harsh economic situation in which most Nigerians find themselves, most particularly those in the North-Eastern part of the country where poverty is most prevalent. This sect lured and recruit its army of followers through the promise of a better economic condition by the provision of soft loans, improvement of social conditions through rehabilitating and re-integrating the wayward and the vagrants into its fold as well as promise of spiritual bliss. The rise of Boko Haram is both a failure of the security apparatus as well as tacit support from the masses who nurse grudges against their governments that are engaged in endemic corruption. The politicians and the technocrats flaunt their ill-gotten wealth, making a mockery of the hungry and angry faces surrounding them. The only time the common citizen register their presence is when they are on a visit to his town or village for one social event or the other, in which case the law enforcement agents would unleash their mayhem on the citizen. Driving in a convoy and dangerously flouting the traffic rules and whoever gets on their way is sure to be punished if he is lucky to escape alive. No doubt, the Violence for Violence approach of the government will never end this mayhem in which case the innocent citizen is most often the victim. The government must apply an intelligent approach through dialogue and consultation with stakeholders. Most importantly, good governance will only be the panacea to this senseless violence. From the look of things, Boko Haram is on the news simply because of its sectarian outlooks, but in general assessment, violence has become the norm rather than the exception due to frustrations.