Reasons why Nigeria can't live as one
The fabric of Nigerian society is notable for its diverse spoken languages, which almost 200 million people speak. Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Esan, Igala, Idoma, Fulfulde, Ibibio, Kanuri, and Urhobo are among the local languages, with English serving as the official language.
Even though ethnicity and religion is not specifically Nigerian problem, it poses a serious threat to the country's stability.
Although autonomy belongs to everyone in the country, it is evenly distributed among the three primary systems of Igbo (southeast), Yoruba (southwest), and Hausa (North). At the presidential and gubernatorial levels, there is still some interplay of religion dominating at times.
All Campus Show spoke with some individuals representing the Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa culture to acquire their opinion of the dominant tribes. In a phone interview with Tochukwu Ohazuruike, a Legal Practitioner and youth leader from Imo State, he said.
‘’Nigeria as a nation should have ordinary enjoy living together because there is strength in living together. This issue of multiculturalism and multi-religiosity ordinarily don’t play a role. The problem is that there are deliberate efforts and actions by a government to show that there are people who are our people and there are people who are not are people.’’
‘’The issues of rotation presidency don’t promote meritocracy; instead, it promotes mediocracy, and the choice of candidate is not in the interest of development but in the interest of politics.
Speaking to Mr. Muhammad Abdulahi an Architect from Kastina state, he said.
Here in Arewa, we have a totally different culture and this might likely be a contributing factor."
" Also, from my observation I don't think we can live together as one. The problem is our irresponsible leaders, who are causing all this crises."
In another interview with Debo Adedayo, a comic skit maker and movie celebrity, popularly known as Mr. Macaroni, a strong activist for justice and good governance during the end SARS movement and an indigene of Ogun state. In his remarks, he still believes that Nigerians can still coexist regardless of tribe and religion.
‘’I believe Nigeria can still be one, but there's a lot of work to be done. We cannot continue to let hate and intolerance divide us, and a large onus is on our religious, cultural, and political leaders."
‘’Our leaders do not understand the concept of leadership, which is selflessness, sacrifice, and service to the people. Instead of putting the people first, they've created a system that weaponized our divisions to gain money and power.
He added that a reorientation of unity regardless of tribe, religion, and gender would empower our great nation to live together.
‘’We need to have a level playing field regardless of tribe, religion, gender, age, class, and so on, so that not only a few are empowered. With that orientation, things will be better.
What’s your opinion about Nigeria still living together?