Togetherness in
this nation irrespective of religions, ethnics, tribes and geopolitical zones
can fast-track the long awaiting development, comfort, progress and prosperity of
Nigeria.
Each tribe,
ethnics, religions and geopolitical region has their peculiarity, talents and
gifts; which if combine together can foster a quick long awaiting development
of our dear country.
We are in the
present grave of underdevelopment because, we ignore the ethnics’ nature of our
society and pretend thing is well.
There is need for
urgent way-out of this nation mess and unrest.
The northerners is
well blessed with fertile land for animal rearing and farming, likewise the
southwest, northern population is force to boast our economy, southwesters
education, ability, talent, gift of unity can reformed the national unity. Our
fellow Ndi igbo is blessed with crude oil which also present in some areas in
southwest that is yet to be tap, their gift of enterpreneuship and apprentiship
is of great value to nation economy.
At
this point of unstablilize and questioning democracy, agitation for war like
BIAFRA and agitation for restructuring make me reason like ken-saro wiwa
thereby argue that the nation got into its present pass because it failed to
develop a strong political structure in keeping with its traditional set-up. I
postulate that such a structure is capable of withstanding economic adversity
which easily destroys a weak political structure. I intend to show that the
lack of competent personnel, the canalization of all energies into the struggle
for power, debilitating corruption and other social evils have arisen because
we have ignored the ethnic nature of our society, choosing to pretend that the
ethnic groups do not exist and stubbornly refusing to build our house on the
strong fundaments of ethnicity.
This
may sound rather perverse because it has always been argued that our strength
lies in unity and that tribalism is the bane of our nation. This brings me
immediately to the difference between ethnicity and ethnocentrism. Ethnicity is
the fact of the ethnic group. It poses no danger to the nation. Ethnocentrism
is the danger; it is the misuse of the ethnic group, of ethnic sentiments
against other ethnic groups in a sterile competition. Ethnocentrism can be
combated. Ethnicity is permanent.
Even
at the risk of sounding trite, it has to be stated that Nigerian existence is
due neither to the exigencies of geography nor to ethnic unity. It
came about as a result of the disastrous rivalry and the chase for colonial
aggrandisement of the great Powers at the end of the 19th century. It was
always a mere geographical expression. In the words of Obafemi Awolowo,
Nigeria's greatest political thinker to date, Nigeria is not a nation. It
is a mere geographical expression. The word `Nigeria' is merely a distinctive
appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria from
those who do not.
This
is not surprising. Most great nations today started as mere geographical
expressions; in time, they build their peculiar national character from the
different ethnic and cultural elements within their boundaries.
Since
the Amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, we have been trying to do the same. The
only problem is that our efforts have been fumbling because we have failed
woefully to think deeply about it and we have stubbornly refused to learn from
our mistakes (taking for instance the BIAFRA WAR July 6, 1967 – January 15, 1970)
Following
upon Amalgamation, all ethnic groups, big or small, were absorbed into a
greater system than they were used to. People were mobilised in the broadest
sense of the term and became conscious that they were part of a system which
embraced other ethnic nationalities. But their commitment to their ethnic
groups was not eroded. On the contrary, the competition for the
crumbs from the colonialists' table forced the ethnic groups into an internal
solidarity which they might not have had before the advent of the British. The
major ethnic groups in particular found themselves consolidating their internal
unity.
The
blame for this terrible state of affairs [post-civil-war corruption] must be
laid squarely at the door of the major ethnic groups who have consistently
behaved as though Nigeria is a nation of themselves alone, whereas it is
well-known that the nation consists of over three hundred ethnic groups.
None
have recognized this more than the minority ethnic groups who have borne the
brunt of the indigenous colonialism of the majority groups. These minorities
were aware of the dangers they faced from the very beginning. Obafemi Awolowo
had warned: Certainly these minority groups are at a considerable disadvantage
when they are forced to be in the midst of other peoples who differ from them
in language, culture and historical background.
Let
outlining precisely what will be the configuration of the country should
ethnicity be adopted as the base of our national development.
In
the first place, it will have a most pleasant effect on self-reliance and
social justice. The many ethnic groups in this country who have been denied their
freedom, either in precolonial times, after the advent of the British, military
or the present democracy will re-discover themselves and will be forced to take
their fortune in their hands. Thus, indigenous colonialism will have been dealt
a death blow.
Second,
the majority ethnic groups will be forced to stop battening on other peoples
and will have the opportunity to develop at their own rate without feeling that
other people are holding them back. They will also be forced to prove to me, at
least, that they are not merely big-for-chopping majorities, adept at
angling for Federal positions where they invariably brag about
their merit. They will now have an opportunity to use that merit in
their natural environment. And so we may at last find some clean cities in
Nigeria.
Thirdly,
the considerable energy which is being spent in a sterile struggle for power
will be released and channelled to more imaginative and productive ends. We
shall hear far less of zoning and all such idle beasts
and merit will take on new meanings.
Fourthly,
the resources of the country will reach a broader mass of the people.
And
fifthly, there will be greater stability, as the need for changes of boundaries
and structures will no longer arise and new rules will have to explain in full
any tinkering with structures that have stood the test of time.
The
scientific method, once used successfully, will replace arbitrariness, jingoism
and deception in decision-making at the highest level. The Nigerian nation will
become stronger.
Now, with above
analysis of each region with their qualities, productivities and impact on the
unity and national development; I thereby suggest an immediate commencement of
inter-ethincs, and coming together of all youths from all parts of the country,
keeping enlighten each other on our unity, as a way to development. We should avoid
another civil war, over 1 million ndi igbo lost their life with over 50,000
soldiers dead, take a look at present weapon and see how the whole of the
country can be destroy in days if not united. Let learn from past, let look
around the world; Vietnam War, south Sudan, Somalia and many others like that.
FOCUS
MUST BE ON:
·
Review
our past
·
Review
unrest countries around the world
·
Review
developed countries around the world
·
Brainstorm
on national issues as it may concern each region and ethnics with way out
·
Review
the faulty structures and processes in the system.
By: Ayobami A. Sodiq
Comments
Post a Comment