The price we must pay as Nigerians

There is nothing worthwhile on this planet that does not have a price. The saying in Christendom that salvation is free is erroneous and arguable. Someone had paid the price of salvation and Christians are only fortunate to share in this salvation. The saying by Myles Munroe that “when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable” describes in apt terms, the mindset of many Nigerians about Nigeria. One hundred and two years after amalgamation, so many people believe that the country was forcefully brought together in mistake.

The recent happenings in the country sadden a patriotic mind. They range from religious intolerance to evil politics and other filthy events not befitting a nation. For over a century, we have not been able to neutralise our little differences. Rather, we have built on them to the detriment of all.  While reading his inaugural address in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari rightly opined that the only commodity we have not maximised is “unity of purpose.”

The religious killings in the land are getting out of hand and the country is gradually drifting into the path of war. How does one explain the reported killing of over 800 citizens all in the name of religion? It’s about time we reviewed our commitment to our religions and the evil philosophies behind some of them. The holy book instructs: ‘’Pursue peace with all men.” Why have we now decided to create division against the instruction of who we claim to be fighting for? Yet, we blame the government for not providing us with the favourable conditions and atmosphere to maximise our potentials. Religion should be the most veritable source of promoting unity in diversity but it is so pathetic that hypocrisy has taken the place of true religion and opinion leaders in this realm who have greatly benefited from the oneness of the nation have also in one way or the other preached division ignorantly.

In the same vein, ethnocentrism has eaten deep into our existence and the notion of us being social beings is being subjected to a series of questionings. Every ethnic group sees its own superiority and feels it is being cheated by the government at the centre when truly, nothing seems to be working out positively for any group. The fact remains that we are Nigerians and our experiences are the same. So many a times, some have shown their frustration towards some sections of the nation- some people opine that the Fulani herdsmen are not needed in our communities but do we want to start importing cattle too? Should we subject ourselves to another national disgrace?

We all as Nigerians have a price we must pay in order to leave this disgusting scenario behind us. On the part of the government, true restructuring of the federation must be pursued. The country must be restructured in order to make all sections feel “equal”. On the part of all citizens, we must pay the ultimate price of tolerance! After all, what makes us humans is our ability to coexist peacefully. We must not be divided along religious and ethnic lines. It’s high time we adored our national values and entrenched their essence in our hearts, rather than celebrating our peculiarities that cannot make us exceptional!

Oke Babawale Simon

University of Ibadan