In a tolerant Nigeria, the cosmos of leadership shouldn’t be found bias on any front. There have been quite a number of partisan statement made by the central leadership. It is true that tongues sometimes slip. Whatever the case, repetition establishes pattern. These patterns are the yardstick with which an individual or an entity is colored good or bad. In fact, it provides a clear description of things.
When a leader for instance refers to some of her subject as a dot in a circle, it signals a dawning of ethnocentrism. Beyond that, it reignites Embers of discord. Unfortunately, Nigeria exist under pluralistic terms.
The 1914 marriage between the south and the north which was joined together under the watch of lord Fredrick Lugard and his girlfriend is with so much lapses. Ever since, efforts have been made to keep this marriage working. Such efforts have taken so many good heads away. During the 1967 civil war for instance, a million minimum soul were killed. It was such a distasteful massacre that leaves a trail of bitterness. Whatever the case, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the then military head of state was quick to say that the war was without a victor and a vanquish. However, the steady growth of a nation had already been dwarfed.
In my opinion, no degree of apology or aid is enough to compensate for the lost of lives and properties. Sadly, discomforting words have never been found to ameliorate a situation. How do you beat up a baby and expect him or her to smile on? We all understand from pages of book as well in experience that favoritism stunt oneness. A government of a plural nation like Nigerian is expected to act as a father for all and not as a father to some. How can a tribe be referred to as a dot in a circle? Perhaps, it is due to the pride associated with the status of majority and a believe in the theory of born to rule. Can a circle ever exist without a dot?
In a state where tension keeps mounting, soothing words are very much needed so as reap the benefits of nationhood instead of needless civil unrest. Words are golden piece and shouldn’t be spoken unguardedly.
– Olayinka Kayode Kingsley
olayinkakayodekingsley@gmail.com
