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WOE TO "THOSE" NIGERIANS By Abuja – Nigeria. Nigeria as a nation came into existence on the 1st of October 1960. Prior to this memorable event, the people of Nigeria were in their different autonomous empires and kingdoms with their cultures, traditions, and religions. Commerce was their means of interaction. They were comfortable in their kingdoms, empires, and their different systems of government.
The idea of bringing together all the peoples occupying the territory known today as Nigeria under a single political unit was conceived and given birth to by the British government who colonized the geographical areas with the merging of Southern kingdom with Lagos colony in 1906. Nigeria as a nation was finally born through the amalgamation of the Northern and the Southern Protectorate in 1914. This was motivated by economic interest of the British Colonial Masters. By coming together under one political unit, the people of Nigeria began to learn how to live together as one people with all their differences in culture, traditions, religion, and politics.
After eighty-eight years of amalgamation and forty-two years of political independence, can we say boldly that we have learnt how to live in harmony as a people or are we still learning? Woe to “those” Nigerians that are still learning! As a Muslim or a Christian, our Allah or our God is the only Supreme Being, the Ultimately Ultimate that can fight for us. But in Nigeria the case is different, we are the ‘ones’ fighting for our God, though, not all, I still say, woe to “those” Nigerians. There were riots here and there, all because of what was edited in the “This Day Newspaper” about Prophet Mohammed visavis ‘miss world’. It is a known fact that religion, (for it to be authentic), is always open to criticism; and many will agree with me on this claim. The majority of the crises we have witnessed, so far, right from 1980 till date, are based on religion, mostly Muslims and Christians. Tracing to their (religious crises) peak, we realize that, they always occur because of little misunderstandings.
The issue of Miss world, glosso modo that has caused the most recent crises should be seen as blessing rather than a curse. In fact, we’re to be very happy and proud that a great opportunity has come to us, - for the World Queens to visit every corner of the country. But it is very sad news indeed that some people saw it as a curse and decided to riot. Hence, the grand finale has been shifted to London: will we still go there to riot? Those who are interested will still watch it through their TV sets and cables. What a vain riot! Woe to those Nigerians who perpetrated such an act.
This is a country where by every citizen has to be proud of, and feel at home, but the way things are moving in this country now, many are really ashamed of this country, and are also regretting to be called Nigerians. All the same, no matter how situations may be, we cannot take another country to be ours.
Anyway, let us join hands together to re-construct this country of ours, to maintain peace and order. But to “Nigerians” who choose to “de-construct” this country so that there will be no peace; with tears, I say woe to them.
Many are expressing their frustrations as Nigerians on the state of affairs of our nation with regard to the flouting nature of some Nigerians. In spite of the degrading nature of the state of affairs of our nation, one still nurses a ray of hope for better days ahead even if one does not live long enough to see it.
Furthermore, both Nigerians (especially Muslims and Christians) must learn how to tolerate one another religiously. Because, without religious tolerance, there can be no harmony in the society. This tolerance has to do with respect for one’s religious beliefs and practices. There should be no other law above the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The government must enforce the constitution’s supremacy. No body should be regarded as above the law. Public authorities should give necessarily freedom of action to religious groups in those areas where they have clear competence, for example, basic amenities. The government should avoid unhealthy rivalries among religious groups, for instance, the controversy of “Sharia”. If these suggestions are given favorable consideration, it will be a great harbinger, belief that religion would contribute more to national construction than it has already done. Oviemuno Innocent Obi is a student of Philosophy.
Dec 2002
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