Nigeria Can Become A Better State

[Richard Akindele]

In nature, change is the only permanent thing. And the great Zik of Africa said: “No condition is permanent�. We mutate from cells to embryos, from embryos to babies, and from babies to adults. Then death will end our sojourn on earth.

As human beings die, so do nation-states. Hugo Gotius said that states don’t die, but governments can come and go. But, how true is that postulation? I’ve witnessed the split of Yugoslavia, U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakia. All of them are Federal nation-states. So, the current political troubles in Nigeria started me thinking: Will Nigeria, a federal state, follow the path of the afore-mentioned state? Will she go the ways of perdition? Nobody prays that Nigeria should disintegrate, but everybody wants Nigeria to continue as one united and progressive entity. Our current president, Chief Obasanjo, fought gallantly during the bloody civil war to keep Nigeria one. The Zik of Africa, an Ibo, was an apostle of one Nigeria even when his Igbo compatriots were agitating for secession.

But, then, whatever our wishes, the events in the country so far are portents of the possible disintegration of Nigeria. The Niger Delta militants are taking foreign hostages, thereby instilling fear into other foreign workers. They’ve also vandalised oil installations which is economic sabotage. But, they are indignant because proceeds of our oil are not being used to develop their lands. Religious intolerance has led to the unjustified killing of non-muslims in the North; this has led to reprisal killings in the South East. Again, the country is sharply divided on the issues of the third term for the President and amendment of the constitution. Have we taken into consideration the discontent over the constitution, desperation and frustration in the land?

The Nigerian nation-state is on a keg of gunpowder. We are on the precipice. Our peace, unity and corporate existence as a political entity are threatened. But, as a federal state, many factors will work in our favour. One, our abundant skilled manpower can be harnessed to better the lots of the country. Again, because of our large size, we can defend our country against foreign aggression. All the benefits of federal system of government cannot be listed in this letter. But, we cannot guarantee the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria unless good governance is provided us. Nigeria, again, should be made an egalitarian state where everybody has equal opportunities.

If Nigerian leaders should show maturity in their deeds and utterance, shun ethnicity, eschew corruption, and become tolerant of opposition, religious beliefs, then Nigeria will become like U.S.A. a federal state and God’s own country.



•Okoye Uche,

Dept of English

Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Awka
http://www.independentng.com/editorial/ltapr050601.htm