The Necessity of Re-structuring Nigerians
Let us fix our homes and Nigeria will be easy to fix,
because the reality is that every Nigerian home is a microcosm of our country and
when we learn to live together in peace and harmony, in love and mutual respect
for one another and ultimately with the fear of God in our heart and consciousness,
we will transform our nation into the abode of haven that so far has become a mirage
to our generation.
There is still hope!
I have been reading about the artificiality of the country
called Nigeria by many Nigerians on Facebook and other social media and I must
conclude that, while there are legitimate concerns that portend to this
detrimental manifestation, without an iota of doubt, there is no country in
this world that does not have her fair share of challenges, ups and downs,
glory and disgrace, and patriotism, nationalism and pragmatism and on the other
hand, traitor, deserters and idealists.
Many have enumerated the problems facing Nigeria; however, I
am yet to read any articulation that call to mind the necessity of
re-structuring of Nigerians!
Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is corrupt,
but Nigerians!
Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is a thief,
but Nigerians!
Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is killing
us, but Nigerians!
Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is wanting
war, but Nigerians!
Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that desire
peace, but Nigerians!
Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that play Soccer,
but Nigerians!
Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that represents
that country, but Nigerians!
Whereas the country Nigeria is merely a geo-political
entity, Nigerians are the mitochondria or the “Engine-room” that ultimately
will determine the fate of this so called artificial country by some of us.
Pragmatically speaking, how many of us are fully engaged
within our family? Without doubt, many, if we are honest enough are not even on
speaking term with their spouse, let alone co-workers (and that is if you are
employed in the first place). We are suspicious of one another and as a matter
of fact, unfortunately engaged in the killing and destruction of one another.
These have nothing to do with Nigeria, but Nigerians!
We want Nigeria to be like or better than the United States
of America, Great Britain and other developed countries of the world, and yet,
it is us that will be first among equals to compromise the integrity of the
country we claim to adore or bear allegiance to say the least.
There are many remarkable phenomenons that always recycle
itself in the Nigeria body politics:
Whenever Nigeria has a presidency that is a combination of
North- West candidates, the South-East will become a militant arm, seeking
secession!
Whenever Nigeria has a presidency that is a combination of
South-East and North candidates, the South-West will become a militant arm,
seeking secession!
Whenever Nigeria has a presidency that is a combination of
West- North candidates, the South-East will manifest its militancy and seek
secession!
In a nutshell, literally speaking, a Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba
candidacy in Nigeria will lead to the quest of the Igbo’s to seek secession,
with the call for Biafra, because of the argument on marginalization, and
whenever, we have a Hausa/Fulani and Igbo combinations, the Yoruba will feel
isolated and seek secession by calling for Odudua State, and last but not the
least, whenever we have a combination of Igbo and non Hausa/Fulani candidates,
the Hausa/Fulani’s will seek secession on religious ground.
Some practical examples are as follows:
Obasanjo/Yar’Adua
The East cried marginalization and it is on record,
President Obasanjo send military personnel to quell the situation in that
geo-political zone
Yar’ Adua/Jonathan
The Mid-west cried marginalization and the presidency has to
through a combination of military tactics and appeasement quell the crisis in
the Niger-Delta region
Jonathan/Sambo
The North cried marginalization resulting in unholy alliance
with Boko Haram, especially in the North-East, and the presidency has to use
military prowess to quell the ugliness in that part of the country- and it is
ongoing right now.
Burahi/Osinbajo
The East is back at the call for marginalization and
reportedly the military has to respond again!
This ugliness and perpetual political exploitation by
segments of Nigerians is indeed shameful, unpatriotic and lack moral compass.
It is a betrayal of trust and the complete subjugation of the quest for a
concrete country where everyone feel welcomed, needed and recognized as a
builder, rather than a destroyer.
The rise of militants in various parts of the country are a
direct results of our failure as a nation to protect the sacredness of our
nationalism and regrettably too, the exploitation by some few but powerful undesirable
elements in Nigeria, who are egocentric, diabolic and warmongers, who benefits tremendously
from anarchy, war and the ensuing poverty inflicted on the masses, making them vulnerable
to evil and detrimental machination.
In order for Nigerians to re-structure Nigeria and turn it
from an artificial country to a concrete one, we as a people must be willing to
re-structure our mentality and inclinations toward our country.
We must first and foremost understand the necessity of our
“forced” conglomeration and having accepted such, must be willing to appreciate
the power of diversity! A typical example of a nation in the developed country
that is as divergent as Nigeria is the United States of America! Without doubt,
it too can be considered to be an “Artificial country”, in context of the
argument that some are making regarding colonization and conglomeration. The USA
is also a country that has and continued to deal with so many challenges especially
racism and the deplorable conditions of minorities such as the African-Americans
and most regrettably too, the original owners of the land or the Native- Americans.
Even at her current superpower status, some States within the 50 States country
are agitating for secession!
We must be honestly and practically be willing to give every
Nigerians a shot at becoming what he or she dream to become. In other words,
if you work hard and abide by the rules and seek to build Nigeria, nobody
should use your ethnicity, tribe or geo-political origin as a factor or factors
that are detrimental to you achieving your dreams.
We must begin the fundamental re-structuring of our family
values, especially those that potentially bring out the goodness in every
mankind. Respect for the rule of law, whether it be family or national, respect
and adoration of God’s love for all of us and our shared true equality before
all men created by God.
We must learn to value ourselves too and consider the next
person as our brother’s keeper.
It is a fact that there is no single family in the whole
wide world that does not have disagreements and the same is applicable to
countries of the world. And within the country, even various States may not
agree and the trickle-down effects apply to the Local Government Councils. My
point is that divergent views, and at times non-conventional approaches should
not be simply discarded as not good enough, on the contrary, it should be given
the opportunity to be heard and if possible put into practice.
This time I believe is another great opportunity being presented
to us to fix our country and make it better for everyone. We now have the chance
to pursue aggressively and in a pragmatic way our quest for true reconciliation,
by acknowledging the mistakes of the past, with the hope of repairing them and moving
forward.
Our problems are man-made and I do believe we can use our
skills to resolve them amicably too!
I am not writing my mind in order to convince anyone who may
have contrary views, since we are all entitled to our opinions; nevertheless, I
am of the opinion that a united Nigeria has a better prospect that a disunited
Nigeria.
Therefore, while many of us are on Facebook and other social
media denigrating or praising, building or destroying Nigeria, with our words
and actions or inaction, let me remind us all that in order to re-structure
Nigeria, we must begin by re-structuring ourselves, because, as the saying
goes, “Charity begins at home.”
Let us fix our homes and Nigeria will be easy to fix,
because the reality is that every Nigerian home is a microcosm of our country and
when we learn to live together in peace and harmony, in love and mutual respect
for one another and ultimately with the fear of God in our heart and consciousness,
we will transform our nation into the abode of haven that so far has become a mirage
to our generation.
There is still hope!
God bless you all.
Amen!
Peter Odeh
@FocusInlove
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