World geography informs us that within the geographic
coordinates 10 00 N and 8 00 E lies a country named and called Nigeria. But that
fact of physical geography, in my humble opinion, is negated by another fact of
reality; that a nation of that name, as of his moment, does not exist. Let me,
for emphasis, repeat; a nation called Nigeria is non-existent. That, almost a
half century into independence, must be a shattering reality to most who call
themselves Nigerians.
The truth is that “Nigeria” exists in our collective
hopes and aspirations. We want, desire, and long for it, and, most times wonder
when, if ever, it will materialize and why its emergence continues to elude us.
Unfortunately, what most of us do not know today is that this is a situation
long recognized. As far back as 1947, Chief Obafemi Awolowo wrote in “Path to
Nigeria Freedom”.
“Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical
expression.
There are no ‘Nigerians’ in
the same sense as there are ‘English’, ‘Welsh’, or ‘French’. The word ‘Nigerian’ is merely
a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within
the boundaries of Nigeria from those who do not.”
Ironically, we have a “state” called
Nigeria with its paraphernalia of statehood; courts, institutions of governance
like state and national assemblies, armed forces, and the like that continue to
preside over the affairs of the non-existent nation. But that is essentially no
more than putting the cart before the horse. History has revealed to us that
for a state to function properly and appropriately, it is imperative that it
finds unquestioned. Unequivocal and tacit support of the nation.
The nation
must emerge! If there is no nation, no properly functioning state can exist not
to talk of being effective or efficient!
The symptoms of the fact that we do not
have a nation pervade our social, political, and economic lives. Almost half a
century into our independence, our thoughts, pronouncements, actions,
information media and newspapers are inundated with items such as follow:
“NIGERIA IS BREAKING UP ----------Ndubuisi
Kanu”
Written by Chioma Gabriel, Deputy Editor
and Emmanuel Aziken,
Sunday, 03 November 2008
THE VANGUARD
“Rear Admiral Godwin Ndubuisi Kanu, one-time
military administration of Imo State in an encounter with select journalists’
talks about Nigeria, expressing his disappointment that things are not the way
they were set out to be, and Nigeria is breaking up due to so many factors.”
“All we need to do is restructure
Nigerian by making each ethnic group a state, such as all Yorubas in one state,
all Igbos in one state, all Ijaws in one state, all Edos in one state, all
Efiks in one state, all Urobos in state, all Hausas in one state, all Kanuris
in one state, all Bornu folk in one state and the smaller groups around Plateau
area grouped into one state etc for total of
about fifteen states of Nigeria , with a central government that manages
international relations, the military etc and Nigeria would finally become
stable and take off economically.”__ Ozodi Osuji
“This restructure can’t deliver prosperity.
“ __ Steve Ogbonmawan
By: Patriot Adebukanla Jamiu
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