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CRIES OF THE HAVES
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It is amazingly ludicrous to read everyday of how the so-called three majority ethnic groups (Igbos, Yorubas and Hausas) in Nigeria shed tears over President Obasanjo about how he (Obasanjo) is marginalizing them. As a group or groups, these people have enjoyed the largest share of Nigeria's pie. They shouldn't and have no right nor reason to cry foul. They should concentrate on taking care of the minority groups if they want peace and tranquility in Nigeria. Let me start with my next of kin, the Igbos. As far back as I can remember from stories by my parents and personal experiences, the then Eastern Nigerian Government had no regard for other ethnic groups from that region. You will get a scratch of what you wanted only and only if you could start your greetings or sentence with KEDU or DI ANYI. The minorities were relegated to accepting teaching and/or agricultural jobs or leave it. Most lucrative, professional, and academic training were strictly reserved for the DI ANYIS. I grew up at Port Harcourt from the start and end of the civil war. In fact my parents still tried to live there after the civil war. In spite of the fact that the city was in the then Rivers Province, it was dominated by the DI ANYIS. The city was divided amongst the Owerris, Nkweres, Akagbes just to name a few and each of them decided who lived where in terms of affordable housing and trading. Buying land was made difficult if you were not from the aforementioned groups. Where one came from also determined whether one can get a stall at the Port Harcourt main market to sell some wares. People from other ethnic groups of the region couldn't get anything without the language KEDU. The so-called majority then never thought that people from the other ethnic groups of the region existed. And guess what, that was why Biafra was lost. Have they forgotten so soon. I hope not. In fact, my dad once told me that because of politics between the then NCNC and AG, the late Chief E.O. Eyo was appointed either Chairman of the Eastern Nigeria Scholarship Board or a member. When I asked him why Eyo didn't award scholarships to our people or other minority groups? He mentioned that Eyo was only a figure head and that 99% of the awards went to Ndigbo. Minorities who received the 1% were relegated to teacher training and/or animal husbandry, nothing academic or of professional importance. Most minorities in the former Eastern Region educated themselves through their own sweat and toil or that of their parents or guardian. Ohaneze Ndigbo shouldn't cry to Obasanjo about marginalization. It is ironic that when we ill-treat others we don't put ourselves in those peoples shoes, but when we get ill-treated we cry foul. In fact, Obasanjo hasn't marginalized Ndigbo. They are still occupying most Federal and political positions in the country. The former Senate President wanted to practice the old Igbo tricks of divide and rule. Nigeria of today is different from that of 30 years ago. He dipped his hands into where he shouldn't have. Greed is typical of people like the former Senate President. I wonder what he told his children after he was removed. Did he tell his children the truth about who he really is. I hope he did, so his children will learn not to take where they didn't keep. I think it is preposterous and despicable for an Hausa or any Northerner for that matter to say that they are being marginalized by Obasanjo's administration. Where are the Vice President and the Speaker of the House from? Have they forgotten what Gowon did for the north after the civil war? Gowon made grade 2 teachers Permanent Secretaries and created special scholarships for the north to catch-up with the rest of the country academically. Since independence, northerners have ruled Nigeria for 36 out of 40 years. They have caught-up enough. It is time the pie is shared fairly. More should go to where Nigeria financial existence originates regardless of the region or state. Give to Caesar what is his. To our Omo ODua brothers, the Yorubas, who also cry out marginalization by Obasanjo, how can they reap where they didn't sow? From time, Obasanjo received no political support nor cooperation from them. I think he is fair and kind to have appointed some Yorubas to important posts. Let them accept what they are given and shut up. During the campaigns for transition to civil rule Akinjide made what I considered a stupid statement, when they were deciding where the Presidential candidate should come from, i.e. north, east or west. Akinjide said that Nigeria is made of 3 brothers but that, only one keeps ruling the other two all the time. Akinjide, Nigeria has more that 206 brothers and none should be bigger than the others. Because of greed and big brother attitude like the one Akinjide had, the NDDC has almost been crippled. If that project was created for anywhere in the North, West or Igboland, it would have been implemented and long running. But since it is for the minority areas it has to drag on until the entire funds get stolen or embezzled by the so-called Big Brothers. I believe that the people from the minority areas would be hard pressed to accept another Presidential candidate from the so-called big three ethnic groups without written conditions that must be fulfilled if elected. The minorities should start now to form themselves into groups of major political parties to be ready to present a strong and formidable presidential candidate at the next elections. It isn't too far away from now. Minorities, don't relegate yourselves to positions of mediocrity in the country politically and professionally. I strongly believe that a minority as the President of Nigeria will have the fear of retribution and work for the general good of the country, to bring the country forward and stop corruption which is the biggest illness the country is going through now. This article isn't written to provoke anyone or a group but to say it the way I see it because enough is enough. And if I do provoke a group or groups to thinking that they aren't the only group of Nigerians in the country, so be it. If this straight talk will make the father tell the child that what has been done to the minorities is wrong and vice versa, let the ills be corrected. It is a call to the minorities to start thinking and to liberating themselves from the grips of the so-called Big Brothers. Minority Nigerians should ask themselves, what have they gained by allying with the Hausas, Igbos and the Yorubas for the past 40 years politically? I cant think of any benefit that comes to mind other than usurpation and relegation to the back bench by the so-called Big Brothers. Minorities should stop accepting crumbs from these mindless usurpers. Try some independence. I don't mean seceding from Nigeria. Think about this, it might bring the minorities some good and self pride. Fight for your children's future, not yours because the usurpers, thieves, and embezzlers have taken yours. Don't wait to be given because they wont knowingly give you. My Igbo and Yoruba friends know that we discuss these things all the time so they wont be surprised to read this. They are very good people and we have been friends since childhood. They aren't with the usurpers, embezzlers and thieves. As I ask them all the time, why haven't they spoken with their kin to stop all the evil they emit to the minorities? This article was forwarded by Uwem inyang |