By Justine John DYIKUK
When a dog bites a man, it is no news but when a man bites a dog, it hits headlines. This popular saying among our people brings to the fore the unspoken truths cracking the walls of the very foundation of our nationhood even as we celebrate 'Democracy Day' today (29, May 2013). Do our minority tribes have a voice? Can they speak out and be listened to? This piece makes a case for northern ethnic groups in this country that have been forced under the emirate system. Ekpo in an article 'Nigeria, tribalism and economic development' rightly observed that: 'Nigeria, surely, is a complex entity consisting of several tribal/ethnic groups sometimes referred to as nationalities' (Cf., Akpan Ekpo, Nigeria, tribalism and economic development in TELL Magazine, May 27, 2013. Pg. 27).
Perhaps the assumption that Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are the three major tribes in Nigeria reveals this complexity which may have paved way for the suppression of other tribes regarded as minority. That many of these tribes have been bullied and are constantly being bullied is a cause for alarm. That they are constantly denied fundamental rights and privileges of being Nigerians by the emirate system/Fulani rule of the northern enclave calls for a state of emergency in this area.
As young people who were born after Nigeria got her freedom, we never chose to be born here nor were we there when our heroes past sought and fought for our independence from our colonial masters, Britain. Thanks to history and literature we are able to remember the Tafawa Balewas, the Awolowos and the Nnamdi Azikiwes among other nationalists who gave all to ensure our liberation from the shackles of western imperialism. Here we are, but the question that readily comes to mind is, was this freedom of ours for total emancipation of our people from the bonds of subjugation or further suffering in a State rife with survival of the fittest and the elimination of the unfit?
With hindsight, January 1, 1914 saw the amalgamation of Southern and Northern protectorates into Nigeria by Great Britain which brought the estimated 250 tribes/languages together. Monday February 4, 2013 witnessed the flag-off of a year-long programme to mark that centenary which will culminate next year. Interestingly Tell magazine titled a special report on the amalgamation thus: 'Nigeria at 100 – Celebrating Unity in Diversity' (Cf., Tell February 18, 2013, pgs. 50-52). A word-selection of this caption is expedient. 'Unity' is the soul of any nation under the sun while 'diversity' is the God-given rainbow that beautifies our society. Read More
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