By Musa Owuda
“The future of this vast country of Nigeria must depend in the main on the efforts of ourselves to help ourselves. This we cannot do if we are not working together in unity” -Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1957).
I am a man of peace and an advocate for Nigeria’s unity and peaceful co-existence. I believe that my bias must be stated at ‘the beginning of this discourse, so that you are not in doubt about where I am coming from. Yes we have reasons to be disappointed with our leaders and ourselves in our 110 years of sojourn as a nation-state. We have reasons to be angry with ourselves. We could have done better and we can still do much better. My belief is that staying together as a country for 110 years is an achievement. While we have not lived up to expectations let us not allow ourselves to be drowned in the vortex of cynicism.
We must get up and put our acts together and take our destiny in our hands. It is our fault that we have not adequately corrected whatever was the mistake of 1914. I believe that while the ship of the Nigerian nation-state may be battered severally on the high seas; with discipline, hard work, selflessness, patriotism and dedication, the Nigerian ship will safely anchor and be renewed to the surprise of everyone in the world. I am passionate about my commitment to a single and indivisible Nigeria and I have no apologies for it or for my views on the necessity for a rebirth of my country. And I see peace as the ability to successfully manage conflicts below a threshold which does not threaten the freedom and the security of lives and property. This is the reason why we as a people and government need to deal with emerging conflicts for our system be able to carry out issues of national development. For me, national development refers to the delivery of services which achieves the ends of the state -security, welfare and the pursuit of national interests in the global setting. Therefore, we need to do all in our powers for security and a relatively peaceful environment because they are imperatives for national development and unity.
Historically, the pattern of colonial administration had partly led to the emergence of Federal Government in Nigeria. Federalism emerged as a compromise formular to assuage the fears and suspicious of domination among Nigeria’s heterogeneous population. One legacy of this process was the structural imbalance in Nigeria’s federation which the military tried to resolve through the creation of states. But under this democratic dispensation, the suppressed angst of various groups with the Nigerian federation has found expressions in many ways. Some groups have begun to demand for “true federalism” “re-structuring”, “resource control’, separation (Biafra Republic and Oodua Republic) etc. I believe that we need to make desirable adjustments in the federation to give everyone a sense of belonging. Since federalism is about how to manage conflicts, it requires politicians and leaders with skills in effecting appropriate compromises and conflict resolutions. It calls for a collective sense of patience, accommodation and tolerance. These are not the cheapest commodities to find in the market place when people operate under stress, yet they are indispensable. So, there is a positive link between security and good governance, because unless there is relative peace and stability, development would be elusive.
Also, the present generation of leaders should strive toward emulating their predecessors. The Nigeria independence was possible because the leaders of that time worked in unity of purpose. I call on present crop of leaders to come up with positive initiatives that would further project Nigeria’s image in the comity of nations. Nigerians should continue to emulate the past leaders teachings and ensure they reserve the country for the coming generation.
It is only by sustaining the past leaders initiatives on the need for unity of Nigerians that the nation will get the deserved development. Our past leaders and fore-fathers’ initiatives always hinged on living in peace and harmony among Nigerians, irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious differences. So, our generation’s youth should always emulate the examples given by those leaders that ensured the country achieved its independence. The present generation’s youth can do that by ensuring that they pray for their leaders, the country, and always engage in developmental activities that will move the country to achieve the desired peace and live together as one.
Let us critically examine ourselves and our actions. Let us always avoid violence and expand the arena of peace. We must remember that violence is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. Like a bush-fire, violence has a way of making its initiator a victim. Therefore, we need to converge on a round table for talk, negotiation and accommodation.
For people who believe that they can fan the ember of disunity or separation, while in position of authority, let me remind them that they need to keep to their oath of offices; there is need for them to demonstrate that they have integrity and honour, we need to reserve a good name for our families and make Nigeria to grow for our children, grandchildren and others. May the Almighty God guide us to act correctly for the sake of our beloved country -NIGERIA!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
