Nigeria Must Divide!
My friend, I have thought about what you told me the last time we discussed. Quite frankly, I agree with you that Nigeria is plagued by certain demons. I also agree with you that, to an extent that some of Nigeria's problems are predicated on the multiplicity of her ethnic groups and of course, the religious bias whose cataclysmic impacts have reached their apogee.
But you see, my friend, like I told you the last time, the issue of Nigeria's division is a conundrum that must be tactfully handled. Nigeria must divide you say, but I must ask you just one question. Along which lines shall we divide? Don't think I have no answers to that question. But we cannot discuss such matters while standing like Israelites taking the Passover feast before leaving Egypt. Come sit with me let's discuss over this keg of palm wine and pieces of fried meat. Oh, don't worry about the heat. I have hand fans made from raffia. Just sit while the maid serves us.
Now that you have settled down, you need to know that if Nigeria must divide, we must first divide along religious lines! I see you are glowing because I just spoke your mind. You see yourself? Have you forgotten that Nigeria is inundated with several religions? How then do we divide along religious lines? What? Oh oh. We should divide the country into Christian and Muslim parts?
I pity you, my friend. Have you forgotten that in this country, the Hausa Christian will still not relate well with his Igbo brother in the Lord immediately they leave the church? Oh, you think the Yoruba Muslim will easily forgive the Igbo Muslim after an altercation? Wait, are there even Igbo Muslims? Even within religious circles, there is segregation. And you say we must divide along religious lines. Oghene reject!
No, don't go yet! I didn't mean to send you away. Forgive my outburst. But my friend, you must know that we cannot divide Nigeria along religious lines. Huh? What about ethnic groups? You want us to divide Nigeria along ethnic lines?! How many divisions will emerge? 254? You think can cater for them all but let me draw your mind to something.
Take a good look at the Igbo nation for instance. If Nigeria were to divide along ethnic lines, you think the Osus will have a place within their own country? I shake my head at your parochiality. What about the Ijebus, the Egbas, the Ijeshas; all of them Yorubas? You want to lump them together? Are you ready to properly divide Nigeria and settle the offshoots? If you still think division is the panacea to Nigeria's malady, you need to visit Uselu sometime soon.
If Nigeria must divide, it must be along some other lines. And don't you dare say economic lines! What about the landlocked parts of the country? Oh, the Southerners can go gorge themselves on their oil, right? Let me tell you something, my friend. Dividing Nigeria will have more catastrophic effects than living together. We have issues and the country is pierced through with many sorrows. Yet, we haven't broken up and we will not break up. We need only see the big picture. Nigeria will heal and once again regain her pride. It may not be today, tomorrow or the day after that. I believe we will one day be able to attenuate the problems of this country.
But if like my friend here, you still think Nigeria must divide, then you will need to turn in your national id card, any other relevant documents and look for another country.
Go On With One Nigeria.
But you see, my friend, like I told you the last time, the issue of Nigeria's division is a conundrum that must be tactfully handled. Nigeria must divide you say, but I must ask you just one question. Along which lines shall we divide? Don't think I have no answers to that question. But we cannot discuss such matters while standing like Israelites taking the Passover feast before leaving Egypt. Come sit with me let's discuss over this keg of palm wine and pieces of fried meat. Oh, don't worry about the heat. I have hand fans made from raffia. Just sit while the maid serves us.
Now that you have settled down, you need to know that if Nigeria must divide, we must first divide along religious lines! I see you are glowing because I just spoke your mind. You see yourself? Have you forgotten that Nigeria is inundated with several religions? How then do we divide along religious lines? What? Oh oh. We should divide the country into Christian and Muslim parts?
I pity you, my friend. Have you forgotten that in this country, the Hausa Christian will still not relate well with his Igbo brother in the Lord immediately they leave the church? Oh, you think the Yoruba Muslim will easily forgive the Igbo Muslim after an altercation? Wait, are there even Igbo Muslims? Even within religious circles, there is segregation. And you say we must divide along religious lines. Oghene reject!
No, don't go yet! I didn't mean to send you away. Forgive my outburst. But my friend, you must know that we cannot divide Nigeria along religious lines. Huh? What about ethnic groups? You want us to divide Nigeria along ethnic lines?! How many divisions will emerge? 254? You think can cater for them all but let me draw your mind to something.
Take a good look at the Igbo nation for instance. If Nigeria were to divide along ethnic lines, you think the Osus will have a place within their own country? I shake my head at your parochiality. What about the Ijebus, the Egbas, the Ijeshas; all of them Yorubas? You want to lump them together? Are you ready to properly divide Nigeria and settle the offshoots? If you still think division is the panacea to Nigeria's malady, you need to visit Uselu sometime soon.
If Nigeria must divide, it must be along some other lines. And don't you dare say economic lines! What about the landlocked parts of the country? Oh, the Southerners can go gorge themselves on their oil, right? Let me tell you something, my friend. Dividing Nigeria will have more catastrophic effects than living together. We have issues and the country is pierced through with many sorrows. Yet, we haven't broken up and we will not break up. We need only see the big picture. Nigeria will heal and once again regain her pride. It may not be today, tomorrow or the day after that. I believe we will one day be able to attenuate the problems of this country.
But if like my friend here, you still think Nigeria must divide, then you will need to turn in your national id card, any other relevant documents and look for another country.
Go On With One Nigeria.
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