(47): Nigeria: Search for Union beyond Amalgamation

Muhammad Muhsin Ibrahim

@muhsin234

The elections were over. The winners (and losers, too) are known, and Nigerians await their inaugurations on May 29^th. However, the repercussions of the elections are far from over. Igbos, whose undaunted, though paranoid, doubt of Hausa-Fulani leadership forbade them to vote for Gen. Buhari, are still being brazenly abused, esp. on cyberspace. And they respond most crudely by calling their attackers with unprintable names. This is but one case out of many that are raping Nigeria along ethnic lines.

It’s sadder that the indigene-settler dichotomy still exists even within our constitution; mobility freedom of citizens is seldom crippled by arrests of northerners in the south; and the so-called quarter system truncates chances of getting a job. I don’t forget the far more horrible, countless ethno-religious crises in many cities and villages like Jos, Zankuwa, etc, that claimed the lives of thousands. It tears me up inside. I am often left asking: Are we truly amalgamated yet? Or at least, when can we get over this nauseating disunity and move on? 

I was born and raised in a Hausa-populated vicinity in Kano. But since my childhood, I have known we have neighbours who do not speak our language, or practice our religion, or share our culture, etc. I didn’t know all this by instinct. I learned about it from my parents and school. All Nigerians should have this basic education in 001 Cosmopolitanism.

I was actually moved to compose this piece by a fresh experience I observed here in Punjab, India. As customary as it is, people from the same places abandon all the differences they have back at home and unite whenever abroad. But it’s essentially not the same for Nigerian students here and, perhaps, elsewhere. Often, a Yoruba would befriend only his fellow Yoruba, ditto Hausa, Igbo and the rest. A few others are nonetheless detribalised. They have recently formed a Nigerian Students’ Union.

One World, Divided Country

Our university organises a yearly festival called One World. As the name suggests, it aims to show our world as it is: ONE. Students from different countries showcase their music, dance, arts, culture, and cuisine. Moreover, paintings, sculptures, artefacts, maps, and architectural designs are displayed at various stalls within the university for two days. Whereas several, if not all, countries have a common symbol appreciated by all, Nigeria has virtually nothing of the sort.

The snag arises when choosing what should be put on view and whatnot. The Hausas, for instance, would prefer their music to be played and not that of the Yorubas or the Igbos. As the theme of this year’s festival is women’s empowerment, Nigeria’s stall is stocked with many pictures of women, including Chimamanda Adichie, Stella Obasanjo, and Queen Amina, among others, hanging above. Needless to say, you can see our ethnic consciousness reflected in the select women. This, to my perception, kills the vitality of the festival. Tribalism is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s albatrosses, both at home and abroad.

We should find a common ground for a truly amalgamated Nigeria. This is what I call “union beyond amalgamation”. The sadistic and corrupt politicians and other top-ranking government officials fuel the flames, as we have seen in the campaigns of the just concluded elections, while they don’t care a bit about their ethnic or religious affiliation when it comes to thieving and sharing our wealth as ‘spoils’ among themselves. I think the Nigerian Police Force pension scam is a clear-cut example.

Therefore, it is up to us, ordinary Nigerians, to get over playing religious and ethnic cards. An ugly truth be said, I know we can’t kill and bury that as it is embedded in our psyche. But we can forget and forge ahead, especially in foreign lands. We shouldn’t flash our nudity everywhere. Heterogeneity is intriguing, and diversity is fascinating. But for our differences, life would have been mundane. Nigeria is one, and it belongs to us all. The country would love to see us belong to her (as sons and daughters from the same womb). We shouldn’t thus deny it the right.

The government also has to intervene. Nigerians have a whole lot of hope for the incoming government of Gen. Buhari. Therefore, we expect it to do everything possible to reconcile all Nigerian citizens and achieve a genuine (re)unification of the country.

Long live Nigeria!