Chief Obafemi Awolowo {1947} says “Nigeria is not a nation . .. .it is a mere geographical expression. “There are no Nigerians” in the same sense as there are” English Men” or “Welsh” or “French”. The word “Nigerian” is merely A distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within Nigeria from those who do not.”
How true is this aforesaid statement about Nigerians? Ethnicity and tribalism has eaten up an average Nigerian. Somebody from the South West cannot go to the South East and receive a fair treatment as he deserves, simply because he is not from there, so also the other way round all over the country.
Nation building is possible under a democratic principles, and reprioritisation of power politics. When a nation does not promote democratic principles’ in the administration of that country, the chances of building a nation is very small. A country that is pluralistic like Nigeria can function better in federal system of government, otherwise there will be constant struggle of the elites of the dominated group. The main implication for the power in Nigeria politics is that, building a “united nation with one soul and a common destiny” is overlooked, un-thought of and never pursued. The privatisation of power politics leads to the neglect of important areas of nation building.
The government should take up the task of nation building, protecting and securing the citizenry, with the protection of lives and property of utmost importance, where an average Nigerian will be proud of his country.
In Nigeria today, you can find corpses decomposing by the way side, the local government would not come to dispose off the decomposing corpses except a well meaning Nigerian has to go and disturb them before they will come to pay a lukewarm attention to it. No investigation would be conducted as to the cause of the death. Many have occurred in Nigeria, up till date no conclusive investigation has been reached.
There is an already appauling situation in the Niger Delta where more than 200 hundred foreign workers have been kidnapped for ransom since last year which has now escalated into a dreaded anti forbidden area of criminality. The absence of kidnapping Nigerians is not far fetched this is simple because no attention would be shown to them either by the state or Federal Government to affect their release. This obvious reason shows that the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not care about its Citizens. The alternative they have now turn to as a result of that is to kidnap the children of the rich.
How could the Federal and the dubious state government allow it to degenerate to the decaying level?
The report presented by NTA on the program NEWSWLINE on the 22nd of July about a young lady (deaf and dump) that was hit by a hit and run vehicle. She could not walk and no attention was paid to her for close to two weeks. Thank God a well meaning Nigerian had to go-call for the’ attention of the media and other agencies, which in doing their jobs they are like a mere crippled lion.
The attention of the British Government and the press underscores the value society places on human life. Some years ago. the decompose FORSO of a boy found in River Thames in London evoked an encouraging response. The London Police in trying to stop the murder of the headless FORSO of a boy followed a train that lead to South Africa and ultimately to Nigeria. ‘
London Metropolitan Police were in Nigeria conducting interviews and offering cash reward for information relating to a boy without head and a name. As a result of their exertion a few arrest were made, in Britain, Gordon Brown the new British Prime Minister encapsulated the British attitude to human life when he said recently the primary function of a Government, is the protection of its citizens.
It is the primary ‘demand of leadership to adequately define and appreciate its responsibilities. This responsibility is to lift the people above the conflict that will seek to tear them apart.
In conclusion, my leaders, let us give the great people of Nigeria a quality leadership they deserve. I tell you we will all be glad indeed. According to Dora Akunyili on 22nd July 2007 on NEWSLINE Nigerians are the most appreciative people on earth. How true is this when the basic necessities are meant.
Finally, Nigeria need to face the realities of nation building and its is beyond rhetoric’s. We have plenty to do to come out of our ethnic groups to be first and foremost Nigerians before our individual ethnic identities.
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