NATIONAL UNITY OR TRIBAL JINGOISM
By Taiye Olaniyi
"Tribalism" is a major bane and a great obstacle to Nigeria's progress. A lecturer once observed in the mid-70s when I was in the School of Basic Studies in Kwara, saying that since "Tribalism" entered the Military, every coup was carried along the tribal line".
In the same token one could rightly adduce that since tribalism became the major flank in politics by the politicians in Nigeria, every misdemeanor has an underlay of tribal politics and political tribalism.
No one could deny the naturalness of one's ancestral, cultural, and tribal origin lest the Yoruba adage comes to bear "It is a bastard child that uses his left finger to point at his father's house."
Be that as it may, it is incumbent to hazard which of Nigeria's tribes, major or in the minority, is best in terms of attitudinal, behavioral, and ethical practices in Nigeria's national lives and living.
If only we would allow our "Conscience", the " Eye of God in the heart of man" truly and truthfully guide us, we may then realize there may or not be any justification for being who we are in the present world order and especially the pride we express about our race, tribal and ethnocentric inclinations.
Whether or not we are educated either formally or informally, what use is taking in pride in our tribal and racial background when Nigeria today was described as a "Shit Hole" and the most corrupt nation in the world?
I think we need further be true to our one and ever-living God no matter what religious or irreligious faith we proclaim these times that plants, animals including the human species are daily getting extinct.
Getting extinct because of the superiority and inferiority complexes of tribes, ethnic backgrounds, and racial links we tend to project within and without the shores of Nigeria.
By the way how saintly or sinful are you and i in our racial, tribal, and ethnic dispositions when it comes to the issues of socio-cultural, political, and economic developments in Nigeria?
To what extent should we pride ourselves in our tribes and racial affiliations in areas of poverty alleviation against its elongation, drug addiction, religious intolerance, and associated crisis?
What do you tell God for partly or wholly generating or partaking in the arrays of the political inferno, insecurity to lives and properties, kidnapping, crude ritual killings, banditry, mental slavery, injustices, and the general atmosphere of man's inhumanity to fellow man in Nigeria today?
By the way what account are we likely giving to our Creator when the final call comes and finally our bodies are buried in the graves as mere mortals, dusts, and ashes no matter what positions or the lack of such that we occupy today?
Where will your soul spend its eternity after this life of yours?
Think About It.
God bless Nigeria.
Taiye Olaniyi, a retired Postman of the Nigeria Postal Service, is based in Lagos