– The on-going violence in Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria, is a clear indication that the country has run its cause. It does not represent many in the South and now many in the North want out.
Nigeria is currently held together by people who believe they can do so against those who want to leave it, with the threat of war. The oxford dictionary’s word for the ‘Use of violence and intimidation’ is Terrorism. Those who threaten war at talks of Nigerian dissolution are therefore Terrorists. If you are of this persuasion, be under no illusion that you are a terrorist or of a terrorist disposition.
There is no reason for Nigeria to continue, it is not mutually beneficial. The stakes are not similar for all and are highly disproportionate. There is nothing that will make it more even. In some cases, people bring nothing to the table except the threat of war – Terrorism.
The people who argue for the continuation of Nigeria justify it on the basis that some will starve without oil money. What oil does India have? Yet it thrives on medical services and high tech industry. What oil does New Zealand have? Yet it thrives on mechanised agriculture. If those are too white for you, what oil did Ghana build its economic recovery on? Yet it thrives on creating a business friendly economy for investors. It is a lazy people who starve and not a people who do not have oil. Specialism in any area of life (Medical science, agriculture, high tech, education, investment, etc.) is the key to a 21st century nation, not raw materials. Laziness is a sin in itself but when it creates such social chaos and the continuous loss of innocent life as it does in Nigeria, it is inexcusable and should not be used in any civilized argument.
The people who call for the continuation of Nigeria on this flawed excuse of starvation are undermining their beneficiaries’ self-worth. They leave those people without honour as they cling to people they do not like, in desperation. The advocates of the continuation of Nigeria have created peoples for whom an appetite for more oil money knows no bounds. Appreciation, gratitude, resourcefulness, hard work, even confidence in their own ability to earn an honest living is alien.
In the debate about the way ahead for said nation, those that advocate continuing with it should ask themselves on what basis? The starvation argument holds no merit and does more harm to those it claims to protect and others besides.
Nigeria will be split so that those who want to leave it can, those who see much virtue in it can carry on together. The terrorists that argue for continued forced union should be aware of what they are and what they are doing.
A people have a right to determine their own future. In the UK, it is Scotland who decides whether it will continue to be part of UK, the decision is not made for it by Wales or England. It is Wales that decides whether it will continue to be part of UK, the decision is not made for it by Scotland or England. So it will be in Nigeria.
These days, the word ‘ Nigeria ‘ annoys me. I prefer Igbo or anything else. I am deeply offended and protest at being called ‘Nigerian’ as it does not represent me: I strongly believe in mine and my people’s ability to earn a living, come what may. I am resourceful and hardworking and will never starve, no matter where I live. I would never in a million years attach myself by threat of violence to others I hate. I and many from the South have learnt to earn a living without oil money, despite the oil coming from our lands but taken elsewhere. I have refused to renew my Nigerian passport in protest, as it is not who I am.
The international community are to take note that ‘Nigeria’ is a sham and stands at a cross road. It will not and cannot rest until the nation is divided up to properly represent the people it serves. There will be pressures from those who want to leave it, from the North and the South. Until that dust settles, it is not wise to invest in ‘Nigeria’ or plan a long term future in ‘Nigeria’.
As the winds of change catches up with ‘ Nigeria’, where do you stand in the debate? Are you of a terrorist disposition or do you believe in the rights of people to determine their own future?
No. of Views:218
It is important that Igbo women start to involve self in Igbo discourse. Even a prominent Yoruba woman was calling for more genocide on Igbo people and no Igbo woman intervened. Other tribal Nigerian women has accused Igbo women for not participating in the war rather were waiting for the northern soldiers to arrive. They added that no association of Igbo women ever demonstrated during all the killing of Igbo people in Nigeria, a shameful act on them but every weekend they go to meeting. They observed that because of their low interest on Igbo affairs, IGBO LANGUAGE IS DISAPPEARING. Some thing to put into account.
I’m not proud being called a nigerian and I know I’m not alone on this
Great piece. Thoughtful. Read the novel, Element of Life and Death. A book that predicted the break up of Nigeria. More interesting than Half of a Yellow Sun.