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What binds us together as a people

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 2 Comments

Introduction

The nation right now is in the throes of ethnic bigotry, we spew hate, violence, and malice against each other on the basis of ethnicity all because we had an election, and we threw all caution to the wind.

What is a Nation

What makes us a unique nation, is not because we speak the same language or have the same cultural background, but our uniqueness is derived from the diversity that binds us together, and makes us strong, giving us a rich antecedent in the annals of history, creating a present that is spiced and a future that is promising. In the words of Deborah Day, “Our differences are an amazing gift of diversity, making this world a vibrant tapestry of cultures.”

If our diversity and differences bring vibrant colors to our world and nation, why the fear of subjugation by one tribe or region over the other? According to the great sage, the late Dr. Tai Solarin, “There’s no hope for a people who are enslaved, either by their own fear or by the fear imposed on them by others.” Why are we allowing fear to rule us? Why are we giving in to fear… and reacting in and to fear in our polity, in our interactions and engagements with people across all ethnic backgrounds?

Where and when is the origin of this fear?

I am of the opinion it started from the catastrophic fall out of the first military coup in January 1966. When it was inadvertently portrayed to be an ethnic based coup versus a nationalistic coup based on the desires and wishes of the five Majors that led the coup especially Major Kaduna Nzeogwu. And the counter coup of July 1966, and the fallout resulting in the Civil war with over One million dead, really inflamed and set the tone of what we have and have been experiencing till date.

Some will argue that it predates to the 1914 amalgamation by Lord Luggard, when he brought the Northern and Southern Protectorates together and the eventual christening with the name Nigeria.

This leads to the question, are we the only nation made up of different ethnic nationalities? Where is Canada, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa, India, Brazil, and United States… nations with different ethnic mix, culture, and customs yet provide a rich tapestry of different ideas, perspectives, and incredible insights and not at daggers drawn with each other as we are presently. Does this mean there are no occasional conflicts? Yes, there are, but the collective will and vision that binds them together holds sway and guides them into an amicable resolution without tearing each other down or heating up the polity.

Is there someone to blame for this malady that has befalling our nation? Any group to be held accountable?

There is no group or individual responsible other than we ourselves as individuals, in our respective climes and jurisdiction. 

Embracing our diversity

There is a saying that, you can’t prevent birds flying over your head, but you can prevent them building nests on your head. The sad truth is, we have allowed ourselves to have nests of hate, bigotry, nepotism, and whatever ill that exists to be built on our heads. And I refer to the quote of Dr. Tai Solarin again that,” There’s no hope for a people who are enslaved, either by their own fear or by the fear imposed on them by others”. Why have we allowed fear of our diversity and differences rule over us and be a threat to our collective existence? Whence cometh the rhetoric that, if not the same homogeneity, then they must be discriminated and reviled against? According to Dave Donavan, “Diversity is not a liability, and homogeneity is not an asset. Diversity is a strength, and homogeneity is a weakness.” 

Regardless of tribe, tongue, religion etc, God created all men and women equal…in fact, in the scriptures, Psalm 88:4-5 (AMPC), “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him but a little lower than God [or heavenly beings], and You have crowned him with glory and honor.” This tells me that God did not discriminate when he created us as a people…why are we driving the narrative of discrimination and discord just to score cheap meaningless points and false propaganda? This is not animal farm where, “all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” a testament to colonial mindset of the West that runs contrary to the original plan of creation and has right now, put the entire world in a mess with selective fulfilment and obedience to the original order of nature and a double standard in the field of morality and spirituality. (Topic for another day :))

Solution

The solution is not far-fetched, but it is going to be a journey of a lifetime of deliberate actions and steps to focus forward. 

Case in point is Rwanda. I am sure we do not want to go through the horrors of what befell that nation in a space of 100 days in our nation due to divisive and flammable rhetoric of a tribe or ethnicity been superior to others. According to reports, the most widely accepted scholarly estimates are around 500,000 to 662,000 Tutsi deaths…in just 100 days in a single country…and it is believed to be more. Rwanda rose from this murky past to confront the demons of nepotism and tribalism and to make their nation, one nation under God with all people…been Rwandans…no Tutsi or Hutu but just Rwandan working for the betterment of their nation. Embracing their multicultural society and living together in harmony.

We need to take responsibility for our actions and inactions as individuals…the change begins with you as a person before you try to see it in another. And below are not in any way inexhaustible:

  1. We see ourselves foremost as One Nigeria….and not south, east, west or north. “To survive in peace and harmony, united and strong, we must have one people, one nation, one flag” Pauline Hanson
  2. The best of the country should lead, and we be deliberate to do away with nepotistic behaviour and sentiments for the country to develop. In the words of Tai Solarin, “It is the duty of every true nationalist to work hard for the development of his country.”
  3. We should join hands to build a nation worth living in without pointing to others to build it. In the words of Henry Ford, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
  4. We should take pride in our nation and stop bad mouthing, cussing, and cursing at it. According to Idowu Koyenikan, “Your pride for your country should not come after your country becomes great; your country becomes great because of your pride in it”.
  5. Let us, be worthy leaders that reflect the future we desire as individuals and as a people. “Show me the heroes that the youth of your country look up to, and I will tell you the future of your country” Idowu Koyenikan.

Conclusion

As we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this weekend, let us bear in mind, that Jesus did not die on the cross for a particular race or ethnicity or select group of people. He died for all mankind…irrespective of status, tribe, tongue, religion race…just name it. Galatians 3:38, (AMP), “There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. (Emphasis mine). If Christ did not discriminate when he died to save the world, why should we be doing likewise as a people?

President Nelson Mandela, during his presidential inaugural speech in Pretoria, South Africa on the 10th of May 1994, Nelson Mandelastated that;

“We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign.”

If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under. – Ronald Reagan

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The New Nigeria of our Dreams…

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

As the elections draw closer, many Nigerians are dreaming of a “New Nigeria” – a country free from corruption, insecurity, and economic hardship. But is it really as simple as voting for the right candidate? Or is there more work to be done before we can see real change in our country?

First, we need to acknowledge the challenges that Nigeria faces. Our country has a long history of ethnic and religious divisions, which have led to violence, discrimination, and inequality. We also suffer from widespread corruption, which has stunted our economic growth and deprived many Nigerians of basic services like healthcare and education. And our security situation is precarious, with Boko Haram and other terrorist groups causing havoc in the North East, while kidnappers and bandits terrorize other parts of the country.

Given all these challenges, it’s clear that a “New Nigeria” will not emerge overnight. We need to be patient and persistent in our efforts to build a better country. But what can we do to make progress towards this goal?

First, we need to reject tribalism and religious bigotry. These attitudes have only served to divide us and weaken our country. We need to see ourselves first and foremost as Nigerians, and work together to solve our common problems.

Second, we need to fight corruption at every level of society. This means not just punishing corrupt politicians and officials, but also changing the culture that allows corruption to thrive. We need to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior in all aspects of our lives.

Third, we need to invest in education and healthcare. These are the building blocks of a prosperous and healthy society. We need to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality education and healthcare, regardless of their background or location.

Fourth, we need to prioritize security. This means not just defeating terrorist groups and other criminals, but also addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.

Finally, we need to cultivate a sense of patriotism and national pride. We need to celebrate our achievements as a nation, and work together to build a better future for ourselves and our children.

In short, building a “New Nigeria” will require hard work, sacrifice, and a long-term vision. And it does not lie in the hands of one man or woman claiming to be wearing the messianic toga. It lies in our hands, if we are willing to come together as a nation and tackle our challenges head-on, and there is no limit to what we can achieve. Let us all commit to making Nigeria a better place for all its citizens, and for generations to come, trusting in God to give us grace and men whom the lust of office cannot buy. Men who have no skeletons in their cupboard and carry no baggage of the past that they can’t readily shed off.

NB: This article in no way endorses any candidate or party. It is the musings and aspirations of my heart.

INTOXICATION OF POWER

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President made a statement this week during a visit from the French President, Emmanuel Macron. He outrightly made clear his stance on Ukraine joining NATO and what the implications would be for the entire world. He stated, “Russia’s weapons are quite incomparable to that of NATO” but warned his country is still ‘one of the leading nuclear states’. “You don’t want war…neither do I…for there will be no winners, and you will be pulled into this conflict against your will…”

Vladimir Putin needs no formal introduction, and the Ukraine crisis needs no elaborate briefings to bring you up to speed. If you have been monitoring international news it would not come out strange to you. That aside, United States is warning its citizens to evacuate Ukraine as an attack by Russia is imminent within a couple of hours and several European countries are making the same declaration. But what gives Russia these guts to make a bold stand and willing to confront the world?

Russia is a superpower in her own rights. And under a leader with balls of steel and sheer cunning, you can imagine how frightful that prospect is. The Cold War era was majorly a war between the West led by USA and her allies, and the Eastern Bloc led by USSR (now Russia) and her allies, and which ended 3rd Dec 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall.  The Cold War was a decade of intrigues, espionage, counter espionage, sober rattling, near war misses, massive research and development in weapons and arms which led to nuclear stockpiling on both sides and other frightful weapons of mass destruction, and diplomatic horse shoeing across the globe.

Now won’t you wonder that all these countries were once allies against Germany in WW1 and WW2? What has led to a turn of events with allies now turning to enemies and vice versa?

The answer lies in ‘power’. The desire to dominate and be in control…a personal ambition of one man and nation.

For historical perspective, Ukraine used to be under the USSR until the dissolution of that republic and Ukraine gained her independence in Aug 24, 1991. However, political intrigues in 2013 led to unrest and Pro-Russia elements declaring independence and making room for Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. Despite international outcry, and the unfortunate incident of the downing of an airplane, Russia never budged, and they are back on the borders of Ukraine, to grab more. Does this not sound like when Germany invaded Poland that led to the start of WW2? History is repeating itself is it not?

Now, the West and the East are on double alert mode waiting for the first move as in a game of chess…and both sides awfully aware of the casualties that would occur. This is 2022, not 1939, one party as already declared he is willing to lose to make a point…in other words, more than willing to sacrifice the world to make his stand clear…and with the armament on ground, people would be dead before they can even realise what hit them…probably worse than Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

How concerned should Africa be?

Well, unlike WW1 and WW2 when Africans were conscripted into the army and shipped to the battlefront, it won’t be so this time around. But we would feel the effects of the war should it start. How you ask? I am in Africa…not near the theatre of war…well true, but it’s a self-delusion.

  1. Should nuclear or other non-conventional weapons be used, we would feel the aftermath of the effects in Africa carried by wind currents and by whatever mode of transport. Remember, COVID-19.
  2. World economy would be paralysed. Yes, you read right. Nobody wants to be a casualty of war; everyone wants to be within their safe zone. US did not initially join the WW2 until invasion by Japan at Pearl Harbour. What makes you think, to widen the scope of the war, unprovoked invasion or attacks will not occur? Remember, Putin already said, you will all be drawn into it against your will…
  3. We are not prepared to even take care of ourselves as individual African countries in times of relative peace not to talk of when there is a war ravaging Europe. We are heavily dependent on foreign aids and Europe; America and China are our biggest market. If China does not get dragged into the war…there might still be hope but China is a like a dozing bully…who can wake up and strike at any time…so really…where do, we hope in?

Africans need to be self-reliant and break the shackles of colonial mentality that has bedevilled us since we have achieved our respective independence. We have the resources and the manpower…let’s put our brain to work and develop and not rely on stipends.

Aside that, the big bullies need to call themselves for a seat down and hold a frank talk. I am sure that is been done and is on-going, but to start the war…with a lose-lose mindset…is already debilitating as it is and shows the selfishness of power and self-aggrandisement. The earlier the citizens of NATO and Russia speak some home truth to their leaders the better for the whole world to avoid bloodshed and untold hardship.

It is clear, that UN can no longer be the watchdog in the world, the arbiter for peace…and it is high time for nations to acknowledge where true sovereignty lies and bow in worship.  Micah 4:1-4 AMP captures it succinctly,

“But it shall come about in the last days
That the mountain of the house of the Lord
Shall be established as the highest and chief of the mountains;
It shall be above the hills,
And peoples shall flow [like a river] to it.

2 
And many nations shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob,
That He may teach us about His ways
And that we may walk in His paths.”
For the law shall go forward from Zion,
And the word of the Lord [the revelation about Him and His truth] from Jerusalem.

3 
And He will judge between many peoples
And render decisions for strong and distant nations.
Then they shall hammer their swords into plowshares
And their spears into pruning hooks [so that the implements of war may become the tools of agriculture];
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Nor shall they ever again train for war.

4 
Each of them shall sit [in security and peace] under his vine
And under his fig tree,
With no one to make them afraid,
For the mouth of the [omnipotent] Lord of hosts has spoken it.”

The Duty of ‘The Nigerian’ II

/ Sam Aderibigbe / 1 Comment

To catch up on the first part click here

Federation, Confederation or What?

In the Northern region, we had the groundnut pyramids that was the hallmark of trade there with several developments and growth occurring in that region, symbolized by several institutions and in the Eastern region we had palm oil and coal, used to advance the region in terms of development and growth and symbolized by the Nnamdi Azikwe University and several institutions there. We essentially ran a federating system that ensured equity in the allocation and distribution of resources that led to equitable development of Nigeria, until the Military stepped in and introduced a Unitary system and the whole thing went south. Right now, we purportedly are running a federal system in a democratic setting, but what we run is a quasi-unitary-federal system with the states going bowl in hand to the center, Abuja to beg for allocations and the instrument of state, Continue reading →

Its All Not Politics……

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

You read right. In case you are wondering, in this season of political jamboree and rigmarole. I can see heated debates going on across the sphere of Nigeria and different strategies and re-strategies going on and taking place. Alignments and re-alignments of different interests, passions and thoughts are gradually building up steam that would snowball into a major confrontation come 2019. Personally, i believe the next election would be a defining point for our nation Nigeria. The question is, how aligned are we to that move of God that is about to take place?

Continue reading →

Governor VS Vassals – A Tale of Compromise

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

The news all over town, is the decision of the Oyo State Government to rebuild the demolished Music House of popular Musician, Yinka Ayefele. This came about, after a reconciliation meeting spear-headed by notable, influential citizens of Oyo State and the pictures of the meeting is all over the social media.

While it seems a good gesture from the Oyo State Government, it leaves more questions to be asked about the rational behind the demolition in the first place and more Continue reading →

Governor VS Vassals – A Struggle for Power

/ Sam Aderibigbe / Leave a comment

The recent demolition by the Oyo State Government of the building structure housing Fresh FM and Music House of popular Musician, Yinka Ayefele leave much to be desired of the State Government led by Abiola Ajumobi.

It’s simply a display of the despotic and callous nature of our so-called leaders, who feed fat on their maniacal egos and self absorbing alpha status.

Continue reading →