By Onome Oboh
Recently, Nigeria has come under a deluge of hate speeches threatening to rend its very foundation apart. From provocative and violent language by Biafra separatists in the South-east, to the corresponding incitement by Arewa Youths, the country has simply been pushed to the edge. Although those causing the trouble belong to the younger generation, some elders from both Northern and Southern parts of the country have done nothing to lower the political temperature. Rather, they have caused further tension.
It is against this background that I commend the UFUK Dialogue Foundation for organising an event to bring people together to talk peace. The event, themed “Friendship and Dialogue Dinner”, had in attendance prominent religious leaders from both Islam and Christian faiths, traditional leaders from both Southern and Northern parts of the country, prominent political office holders, amongst others. They all preached peace and urged all to bury the hatchet.
Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who was in attendance, restated the importance of cautious utterances and peaceful coexistence. He said there was no alternative to living together as One Nigeria. “God has put us all in this one boat called Nigeria,” he said. “And we really have no other option than to try to live together in peace with all our differences. We all must recognise and respect these differences. If we do not take that route, I do not see another alternative.” He reinforced the fact that the alternative to living in peace was a civil unrest.
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, spoke in a similar fashion. He said the principle of UFUK Dialogue could resolve current challenges bedeviling the country. “One thing that struck me at this UFUK Dialogue programme is this saying, ‘Reserve a seat In Your Heart For Everyone’,” he said. “That is the solution to the complexity that constitutes the problem in a country like Nigeria, in terms of interrelationship. If you reserve a seat in your heart for everyone, you won’t promote insurrection. You won’t demand for your own republic. If you reserve a place in your hear for everyone, you wouldn’t give a Quit Notice to anybody on the basis of tribe.” I cannot agree any less.
I believe that behind every veil of agitations and tribal jingoism are dissatisfied politicians. The average Nigerian, on his own, does not really care where his fellow countrymen hail from, by and large. When doing business, he will not abandon a good transaction or better product on tribal sentiments. When seeking for the services of an artisan, he simply wants someone who can do a good job. He doesn’t care if the plumber is a Yoruba, Hausa or Ibo. He won’t go looking for a Niger Delta plumber or Middle Belt mechanic. He will ask for a good plumber or mechanic.
A look at the reaction that trailed the recent bank robbery video in Owerri will further reinforce my point. In the video that went viral, a policeman was seen gallantly engaging the armed robbers, and, as we latter learnt, lost his life in the process. In other to support the family he left behind, a national daily, with some civil society organisations, set up a fundraising with a $15,000 target in 24 hours. This target was exceeded. And who were the donors, considering that the event happened in the South-east and to an Igbo? The larger part of the funds came from non-Igbo living outside the South-east.
The illustrations above indeed show that the threat to national unity does not come from the average Nigerian. Politicians are directly or indirectly responsible. I, therefore, urge them to desist from actions that are inimical to our unity. As US-based Islamic cleric, Fethullah Gulen, noted, dialogue, mutual respect, meeting at universal human values and instilling security for people are necessity to our survival as a nation. Although Gulen, who was quoted at the event by the President of UFUK Dialogue Foundation, Mr. Kamil Kermabci, expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its challenges, I must add that such optimism can only materialise if we are resolved to extol national unity above all else.
On this note, the followership must realise that the ‘leaders’ only play the tribal card when they are not personally benefiting from the ‘national cake’. That is when you hear the song of marginalisation. The current Biafra agitation began with complaints that Igbo were being left out from federal political appointments. What about the ordinary citizen from the North? Is he better off because the President hails from his region? The truth is, the real marginalised people are the poor, whether from North or South.
The real marginalised people are those who cannot have education. And, we don’t want to add to this list by creating victims of civil unrest. As Cardinal Onaiyekan said, there is “no other option than to try to live together in peace with all our differences. We all must recognise and respect these differences. If we do not take that route, the consequences, I’m afraid, are too grave.”
We must, indeed, reserve in our heart a seat for everyone.
Oboh writes from Abuja.