BEYOND WAZOBIA (One Nigeria)

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This title is insulting in my personal opinion to Nigeria and its various ethnic groups. To nickname the nation after what we call the major ethnic groups sub-consciously or subtly identifies these tribes as the leaders of the federation. If we are going to put up a unified front they all men and ethnic groups should be considered of equal importance.

To think that the 50 naira note even has this nickname on it is sickening to think about if one is trying to promote peace in the nation among the less populated tribes. If Nigeria is nicknamed WAZOBIA, what say can the Urhobo man or the Ijaw man or even the Fulani man have. The WAZOBIA clans are destined to rule then not because of their superiority in knowledge or strength but because of their superior numbers. This is unfair to say the least.

Fortunately this piece is not to attack the unity or sanity of Nigeria but rather to strengthen our resolve as a nation.
It is quite obvious that the case of Nigeria is not what God has joined together as it was formed by Lord Lugard. But if we have found ourselves here, then the least we could do is make it work.

As you travel to different parts of the country, one would usually hear great, valiant and amazing stories about different ancient kingdoms in the present day Nigeria. The thing that concerns me is that while these stories are being told about such great men and empires, they are actually talking about pre-colonial time. What I am saying in essence is that the major great stories we hear about and it different parts of the country occurred at a time that Nigeria was not yet born.

Some honest people think that by promoting such stories and folklore, they are promoting the nation Nigeria. But the truth is nothing great can be said about a child before he was born. Whatever history he has before then belongs to his parents and can barely be claimed by them. No warrior is crowned without a war.

Now there is no need to compare the pre-colonial and post-colonial Nigeria because they are two different entities with different histories and political occurrences.

The Ancient and Great Benin kingdom is not Nigeria, neither is the Great Oyo Empire. Nigeria has enough history and its own great men to be talked about.

It is sad to hear Nigerians talk about restoring the great heritage of pre colonial empires and kingdoms when we all have a nation to promote and grow.

We are one Nigeria, a good people and a great nation. Enough of the acts of terrorism in the north west, enough of the IPOB movement trying to separate the country, enough of the northerners thinking it is their birthright to rule others, enough of the religious and ethnic crisis in the middle belt, enough of the southern militants, enough of our government trying to separate us because in their political favour, enough is enough for the mindset of us against them in Nigeria.

Two cannot walk together unless they are in agreement. It is time to agree to a better Nigeria. It is time to promote her and her people and not just a political sect. because at the end of the day it is not a case of us against them because we are all in this boat together and until the end comes the least we can do is stick together, fight together, grow together and succeed together.

We are beyond WAZOBIA, we are one Nigeria.