The Way Forward -By Aliyu Bello

As an optimistic and patriotic citizen of the federal republic of Nigeria, I deem it fit to discuss on the only way I believe would move Nigeria forward. Am not here to discuss how Nigeria can move forward from the economic point of view, but from the social point of view.

In the year 1914, Nigeria was coined, regions were merged, ethnic groups were connected, and a single territory was maped out. Nigeria was AMALGAMATED. They exist different languages, different cultures, different traditions, different regions, different beliefs, different people, different tribes all good in one thing or another. With all this differences, our ancestors agreed to come and live and survive as one. We even fought for our independence together and gained independence together.

I regret saying we still live divided within our unity. Each region wanting to gain dominance over another, and not wanting to get dominated by others. The north, south and west in constant crisis for power. How can we develop in such manner?

We employed federalism system of government to unite us despite our differences, but till date, we are divided within our unity in diversity. So what is the way out?

We are all made of three values, the traditional value, the western value which unites us in communication, and the religious values. We must learn to let others learn our ways, and us learning the ways of others. The hausa man must learn to allow an Igbo man or Yoruba man learn his ways of life, the Igbo man must also allow an Hausa man or Yoruba man learn his way of life. Only then would each side learn to tolerate each other, and live peacefully together. We tend to judge others from our own perspective, which is not the solution. The problem of interpretation and misinterpretation is a big threat to our unity in Nigeria.

Some regions at this time of economic crisis that we need to unite and work together are demanding for an independent state. This is not wise. Take south-east for instance, even among them, some see themselves as more superior than other. A typical Imo person will say he is the real Igbo, others follow. Tell me even when they have independent state, they wont be crisis amongst themselves, each wanting to dominate the other.

Lets take North-west, were I know better for example. If the north-west is to get an independent state, this Shi’a and Boko haram alone are enough to distabilize the state. They are many tribes within this region with different interest, and each tribe would want to dominate the other in terms of power acquisition, therefore constant conflict is inevitable.

Violence here is not the solution to our problems. I always believe in dialogue,and democratic approach in solving issues, which I believe is the best way to achieve something easily, less costly and with no casualty.
Take Boko Haram for instance, bombing the authorities, mosques, churches, and other public places, for what objective? By doing what they did, have they achieved their objective? They’ve only pushed their objective far away from being achieved. Look at the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups in the Niger Delta area, bombing pipelines and everything, destroying their lands and further imposing hardship on their people, and sinking the Nigerian economy which relies mainly on oil. For what reason? Your people have no good water, no fertile land for agriculture, because you have damanaged everything. Why?

The constitution of Nigeria categorically stated that every natural resources found in any part of this country belongs to the country as a whole, and is to be managed and controlled by the federal govt. If they is fuel in Niger delta, then it belongs to Nigerians, not the Niger Deltans alone, they can only be compensated for the damages it causes to them. If to say Niger Delta controls its resources, then all other states would also claim total control over its natural resources. Zamfara would say its gold belongs to Zamfara alone, Kogi would say its coal is for them alone, Borno would also exploit their oil and have full control over it, then the Federal Government would then live in isolation, and states with no natural resources would be vulnerable. What good would that then do to us? Sharing is the only way we can move forward as a single entity.

Aminu Kano once said; “Nigeria daya (1) ce, amma kowa yasan gidan Ubansa”. Meaning, Nigeria is one, but everybody knows were he belongs to.
To move forward, we must shun regional, ethnic and religious politics. We must develop the spirit of brotherhood. We must learn to tolerate each other. We must learn to trust and embrace each other. Social justice must be ensured. Equality before the law. And a process of learning of learning our differences must be ensured. Its only after this that we can attain maximum development both politically, socially and economically.
Sardauna once said: “the things that unite us are stronger than the things that divides us”.
He also said to Zik: “we can not forget our differences, you are a Christian and a Easterner, am a Muslim and a Northerner, how can we forget our differences, we can only learn our differences and work for the progress of our people”.

Therefore, having said all that, I would want to believe my audience are getting the point, and this writing would make an impact. They say everything happens for a reason. We are Nigeria for a reason. Nigeria was destined to be 1. And I believe the reason Nigeria is amalgamated is because Nigeria is destined to be great. Am very optimistic Nigeria would be great in future, we just haven’t fully understand and head the way yet, but we will. United we stand, divided we fall.

#ILoveNaija
#OneNigeria
#IRemainOptimistic

Aliyu Bello writes from Kano
aibello013@gmail.com