If all you do is to condemn and make mockery of Nigeria and anything Nigerian, then, you are a Nigerian. But, if you are the type that is optimistic and passionate about the Nigerian Project, you are a Nigerian Citizen. This definitions are according to my humble self!
It has become imperative to make such differentiation considering the 'Fulani Madness that has been making rounds among those we regard as elites and the ruling class! It (the Obsession about the Fulani man) keeps me wondering if these dudes are aware of the consequences of their speeches and actions. They are people that have traveled far and wide and tend to see themselves as authorities when it comes to good governance and politics. But, so far, all I see is a big disservice to the Nigerian project.
Ignorance or Selfish Interest?
Considering the media hype of so many conspiracy theories in recent times, a salient question that begs for an answer. Why are these dudes misbehaving so suddenly???
I'm sorry, but, what do you make of all the talks about the Fulani being a security threat to all ethnic groups of Nigeria, especially the Southern part of Nigeria, why the sudden alienation of the Fulani man, is it because Buhari is a Fulani? Are these so called leaders unaware of the nationality of the Fulani or they have forgotten that Nigeria is a sovereign country where people of diverse, culture, tribe and religion of Nigerian origin are free to live in any part of the country or they are just being mischievous and trying to manipulate the opinion of the people to satisfy their selfish interests???
I can't really tell for sure. But, whichever it is of the two, it is a great disservice to the people of Nigeria. I mean, these are guys that are supposed to inspire the people to do more in strengthening the chord of unity that binds the country together, instead, they are found promoting ethnic bias on a very large scale.
The most painful is the involvement of OBJ as a key promoter of this separatist move. This is a man that have ruled Nigerian both as a military Head of State and as a civilian. One fascinating thing about his times in government is that it was the Hausa/Fulani that helped him to power. If the Yorubas should have their way, he wouldn't get anywhere close to the corridor of power! Little wonder, some Hausa/Fulanis see Yorubas as Hypocrites and traitors!
Violence and Intolerance Solves No Problem
Show me a problem that was resolved by violence and I shall show you a crisis that is bound to re-occur again! World War I led to World War II which was far more brutal. Some are predicting that there shall be a World War III, but, God forbids! The World War was largely fought and ended forcefully which left so many parties disgruntled especially Germany, Ottoman Empire and Japan. By the time the second World War was fought, the World Powers have learnt their lessons and would make efforts to create and maintain world peace through the creation of the United Nations...which was then as the League of Nations. In other words, the War ended with a dialogue!!!
The way our leaders have been handling the crisis between the herders and the local farmers leaves a lot to discern.This is why I very much question their sincerity of purpose! The Fulanis have been around for centuries, they come and go. They come around during the dry season when there are very little grass up North for grazing and return North wards as soon as the Rains are here for the fear of the Tse-tse fly that are careers of the River Blindness parasite and the gradually restoration of grasses in the North. So, they are not new to us, neither are we to them!
Just as you have leaders, so do they. Therefore, one expects that issues bordering on misunderstanding should be resolved quietly and amicably among the traditional leaders of both parties. When they don't agree, they can get the Police involved and probably slug things out in court. This is the peaceful path to thread for peace loving leaders. But, the moment the local tries to flex their muscles and the guests too refuse to be intimidated, such crisis between the Fulani and the local Farmers that are plaguing the North Central are inevitable.
Politicizing the Crisis is a Great Disservice!
This crisis between the Fulani and local farmers have lingered on for decades and was gradually turning to a normal routine. It's highly embarrassing, however, to note that politicians have weighed into the crisis not to find a lasting solution to the crisis but to aggravating for selfish interests. A particular governor, for instance, is taking sides and raising security alarms to whip up public sentiments in his favor so as to hide his incompetence as governor and to mount unnecessary pressure on the National government simply because they belong to different political parties.
As mentioned earlier, these are crisis that have been there for decades if not centuries. The Politicians, with a collaboration with the Media launched a media hype concerning insecurity. They have managed to tag the Fulani herdsmen with all sorts of crimes...from armed robbery, to kidnapping to murder without concrete evidence. This has gradually created an atmosphere of intolerance for the Fulani man who some socio-cultural groups have shamelessly declared war on without hard evidence. With these shameful acts going on, I begin to wonder as to where is the so called education these self acclaimed heroes claim to have???
The Differences Between an Ordinary Nigerian and a Nigerian Citizen
From the definitions given above, the differences are very clear! Firstly, the ordinary Nigerian is a Nigerian simply because he was born a Nigerian but the Nigerian citizen is not only born a Nigerian, he is passionate about the Nigerian Project.
The Nigerian citizen knows and understands the diversity in culture and religion of the many tribes and ethnic groups of Nigeria and never allows these differences to cause a bias or a rift. To him, we are one despite the diversity. He sees people from other tribes as brothers and sisters from another mother. Anything and everything that can cause division or hamper development of the Nigerian state are no go areas for him. He's a patriot that puts Nigeria first in everything he does and wouldn't share his loyalty for Nigeria with any other country. He's so proud of the green-white-green that he doesn't hesitate to tell anyone concerned that 'I am a Nigerian' despite all the negativity attached to doing that...he's never ashamed of his country Nigeria. That's a dutiful Nigerian. That's a Nigerian Citizen. The reverse is the case with an ordinary Nigerian!
So, I ask you, are you a Patriotic Citizen of Nigeria or just an ordinary Nigerian???
It has become imperative to make such differentiation considering the 'Fulani Madness that has been making rounds among those we regard as elites and the ruling class! It (the Obsession about the Fulani man) keeps me wondering if these dudes are aware of the consequences of their speeches and actions. They are people that have traveled far and wide and tend to see themselves as authorities when it comes to good governance and politics. But, so far, all I see is a big disservice to the Nigerian project.
Ignorance or Selfish Interest?
Considering the media hype of so many conspiracy theories in recent times, a salient question that begs for an answer. Why are these dudes misbehaving so suddenly???
I'm sorry, but, what do you make of all the talks about the Fulani being a security threat to all ethnic groups of Nigeria, especially the Southern part of Nigeria, why the sudden alienation of the Fulani man, is it because Buhari is a Fulani? Are these so called leaders unaware of the nationality of the Fulani or they have forgotten that Nigeria is a sovereign country where people of diverse, culture, tribe and religion of Nigerian origin are free to live in any part of the country or they are just being mischievous and trying to manipulate the opinion of the people to satisfy their selfish interests???
I can't really tell for sure. But, whichever it is of the two, it is a great disservice to the people of Nigeria. I mean, these are guys that are supposed to inspire the people to do more in strengthening the chord of unity that binds the country together, instead, they are found promoting ethnic bias on a very large scale.
The most painful is the involvement of OBJ as a key promoter of this separatist move. This is a man that have ruled Nigerian both as a military Head of State and as a civilian. One fascinating thing about his times in government is that it was the Hausa/Fulani that helped him to power. If the Yorubas should have their way, he wouldn't get anywhere close to the corridor of power! Little wonder, some Hausa/Fulanis see Yorubas as Hypocrites and traitors!
Violence and Intolerance Solves No Problem
Show me a problem that was resolved by violence and I shall show you a crisis that is bound to re-occur again! World War I led to World War II which was far more brutal. Some are predicting that there shall be a World War III, but, God forbids! The World War was largely fought and ended forcefully which left so many parties disgruntled especially Germany, Ottoman Empire and Japan. By the time the second World War was fought, the World Powers have learnt their lessons and would make efforts to create and maintain world peace through the creation of the United Nations...which was then as the League of Nations. In other words, the War ended with a dialogue!!!
The way our leaders have been handling the crisis between the herders and the local farmers leaves a lot to discern.This is why I very much question their sincerity of purpose! The Fulanis have been around for centuries, they come and go. They come around during the dry season when there are very little grass up North for grazing and return North wards as soon as the Rains are here for the fear of the Tse-tse fly that are careers of the River Blindness parasite and the gradually restoration of grasses in the North. So, they are not new to us, neither are we to them!
Just as you have leaders, so do they. Therefore, one expects that issues bordering on misunderstanding should be resolved quietly and amicably among the traditional leaders of both parties. When they don't agree, they can get the Police involved and probably slug things out in court. This is the peaceful path to thread for peace loving leaders. But, the moment the local tries to flex their muscles and the guests too refuse to be intimidated, such crisis between the Fulani and the local Farmers that are plaguing the North Central are inevitable.
Politicizing the Crisis is a Great Disservice!
This crisis between the Fulani and local farmers have lingered on for decades and was gradually turning to a normal routine. It's highly embarrassing, however, to note that politicians have weighed into the crisis not to find a lasting solution to the crisis but to aggravating for selfish interests. A particular governor, for instance, is taking sides and raising security alarms to whip up public sentiments in his favor so as to hide his incompetence as governor and to mount unnecessary pressure on the National government simply because they belong to different political parties.
As mentioned earlier, these are crisis that have been there for decades if not centuries. The Politicians, with a collaboration with the Media launched a media hype concerning insecurity. They have managed to tag the Fulani herdsmen with all sorts of crimes...from armed robbery, to kidnapping to murder without concrete evidence. This has gradually created an atmosphere of intolerance for the Fulani man who some socio-cultural groups have shamelessly declared war on without hard evidence. With these shameful acts going on, I begin to wonder as to where is the so called education these self acclaimed heroes claim to have???
The Differences Between an Ordinary Nigerian and a Nigerian Citizen
From the definitions given above, the differences are very clear! Firstly, the ordinary Nigerian is a Nigerian simply because he was born a Nigerian but the Nigerian citizen is not only born a Nigerian, he is passionate about the Nigerian Project.
The Nigerian citizen knows and understands the diversity in culture and religion of the many tribes and ethnic groups of Nigeria and never allows these differences to cause a bias or a rift. To him, we are one despite the diversity. He sees people from other tribes as brothers and sisters from another mother. Anything and everything that can cause division or hamper development of the Nigerian state are no go areas for him. He's a patriot that puts Nigeria first in everything he does and wouldn't share his loyalty for Nigeria with any other country. He's so proud of the green-white-green that he doesn't hesitate to tell anyone concerned that 'I am a Nigerian' despite all the negativity attached to doing that...he's never ashamed of his country Nigeria. That's a dutiful Nigerian. That's a Nigerian Citizen. The reverse is the case with an ordinary Nigerian!
So, I ask you, are you a Patriotic Citizen of Nigeria or just an ordinary Nigerian???
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