NIGERIA AT 56: CALL FOR PEACE, TOLERANCE AND UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY
Unity generally enjoys conducive atmosphere in a homogeneous society and it
usually suffers in an heterogeneous society such as Nigeria. This is due to
inherent popularization of heterogeneous community along ideological, religious
and tribal lines. This, in turn, causes instability or unhealthy competition
rather than co-operation, as one tribal group tries to gain ascendancy over the
other through fair, legal or foul means. This, invariably, creates suspicion in
the minds of the remaining groups. An example of this Biafra, this set of
people feel they have been marginalized therefore, there is a need to react,
fight and have a country of their own. Such ugly situation (tribalism)
encourages external forces or greedy super-powers to play on factors that
separate members of such country to destabilize and weaken them and thereafter
siphon or divert the country’s resources.
Nigeria, as a country, obtained political independence in 1960
from the British imperialists. The over sixty (60) various tribal communities
from different cultural backgrounds were amalgamated and brought together under
the same federal Nigerian Government. The colonialists ensured that a Federal
system of government had been established which must be accepted willy-nilly by
Nigerians before independence was granted. This, they did, to make Nigeria and
other independent countries remain perpetually under the powerful European
countries commercially and economically rather than politically.
For the sake of clarity, “A federation is a group of states united with one
central government which decides foreign affairs, defence and so on but in
which each state can have its own government to decide its own affairs based on
its own cultural values.” This shows that a federated country such as Nigeria
should embrace the motto: “UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY”
Unity amidst diversity cannot be effective without
prerequisite ingredients such as justice, fair play, honesty, tolerance and
peace. No one can imagine peace and unity to where there is injustice and lack
of trust. A community with many dishonest people can neither co-operate together
nor remain united to improve their lives as no one is ready to trust the other.
We therefore need to have the resolve to pursue justice, honesty, tolerance and
peace with a view to enthroning unity in the midst of diversity.
However, then, there are distractions here and there. The
operators of democracy in Nigeria are not sincere
enough to themselves let alone God and to the citizenry as some of these so
called leaders are used to destabilize Nigerian Government in favour of some
selfish god-fathers, greedy politicians and the British colonialism. This act
is usually done for their selfish end to promote interest of their god-fathers
and the Europeans in order to remain in power. Some developed or powerful
countries in the world are constantly operating behind the scene to ensure
Nigeria is not stable and that it continues to remain under the British
Economic dominance. The menace of Boko Haram, Niger Delta Avengers and other
insecurity challenges are birth by some selfish leaders in which some foreign
countries are secretly financing them to make sure Nigeria is stable. I have
read some publications saying Nigeria was given the independence with a
view to living together for some years then when the time elapses then the
chain of integration would break.
Nigeria as a country had witnessed successive military and
civilian regimes characterized by discontinuity of some laudable policies and
projects. A retrospective review revealed that there have not been enough
achievements. Nigeria government or democracy is known with this ugly situation
called discontinuity which has made this blessed country to suffer a lot. When
a new government comes into power, it disregards and jettisons the projects of
the previous administration without any review of the projects. The
discontinuing has brought Nigeria to set back, lost and wasted our money and
resources on such projects. For example, the 7-point agenda of the Late
President Umar Musa Yar’adua could be regarded as a mere lip-service. The
7-point agenda s promised could not accomplished in his lifetime. Following his
demise, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan did not even a dime light of
commitment towards implementation of the said 7-point Agenda. The discontinuity
or change in administration has done more harm than good to Nigerians. It is
good to have a change in government but it is pertinent to see that current
project left by the predecessor should be continued since it would be benefit
the citizens but the case is not. The unwillingness of each succeeding regime
to continue the programmes of the preceding administration shows our leaders
are not being carried along or are not co-operative with the man at the top.
The current administration of President Muhammad Buhari is yet nothing to be
talked about because it is really a hard time for Nigerians. The standard of
living has fallen, the economy is drowning, unemployment rate is increasing
geometrically, the price of necessity goods and foods are inflating day in day
out. Day in day out, the 4 years tenure of Buhari is reducing in number and yet
he has not found the rhythm to make Nigerians happy. Though, we have to be
patient and endure though a beautiful and flourishing Nigeria cannot be built
overnight but it is hightime this administration shows the dime of light to the
change promised so that Nigerians can have in trust in them.
Coming down to the state and local government
levels, the emergence of different political parties after 4 years has resulted
into this because this current party in power will disregard and abandon the
projects and programmes of the previous administration because they differ in
political views or party. My question is, is it not the same state or country
are we developing? At the end of the day, the said current political party in
power whom abandoned the projects will not be able accomplished anything and
worse enough, another political party will come on board and also abandon its
programme. This is how the trend goes on but with this will Nigerians ever
enjoys the sweetness of democracy? Such attitude leads to stagnation. An adage
says: “There is nothing good in stagnation except moral degeneration,
retrogression and finally extinction.”
Therefore, it is very important for our leaders
to think that in order to avoid stagnation or extinction and to remain united,
strong, formidable, self-reliant and progressive there must be serious clarion
call for peace, tolerance
and unity amidst
diversity. The victory of an army lies not in the large number of its soldiers
but on their unity and resolve to win. “A house that is divided against itself
cannot stand” says an adage.
To my dearest Nigerians, I will enjoin you to be
patient and have the belief that Nigeria will soon be better. As a
citizen you have your part to play, shun bribery, malpractices, laziness and
never sell yourself to any politician for a dime. Raining curse on the leaders
is the not the way out, prayer and perseverance is the solution to Nigeria's
problems. Though, many Nigerians feel since nothing is going rightly there is
no cause for celebration. It is good to agitate because it is crystal clear
that many are sufferings. My people, feel happy and have hope that Nigeria will
flourish it is a matter of time. Sincerely speaking, if Nigeria must be great
then we have to shun Tribalism, Corruption, Favouritism, Ethnicity and Religion Bigotry.
The potentials are available and the
resources are available but what else Nigeria needs? God bless Nigeria
Happy Independence Day Nigeria at 56 years.
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