Our Greatest Problem as Nigerians

Our greatest problem as Nigerians is not tribalism, its not Nepotism,marginalization or corruption. Our Greatest problem is ignorance.

Most Nigerians are Ignorant of how Democratic systems work.
Long before the emergence of the Europeans on the African continent,Africa was divided into kingdoms,emirates and empires. It was the Europeans that brought us democracy.
The British Lord it over us in Nigeria while the Lordships of Cameroon, Ivory coast, Senegal were in the hands of the French. In short, the European powerful shared Africa like an a inheritance of there's. This goes a lot to tell why some countries are somewhat imbalance when it comes to tribal affiliations. There are situations whereby people of same tribe fall into different countries. The people of Adamawa in Nigeria are a typical example of this political broo hoo waha.
Unfortunately, despite the level of exposure and education of the peoples of Nigeria,we still see ourselves first in tribal colours before the National colours of green white green. That's bad,pretty bad. This explains why we have been getting it wrong politically and unless we change this attitude of ours,we shall continue to embarrass ourselves in the global village we find ourselves today.
We need to grow up,wise up and abandon the useless,shameless tribal war we currently indulge in. No one should be shouting 'marginalization ','secession' or 'nepotism'.
We chant these words largely because we are ignorant of how a true democracy works. Funny enough,those that are supposed to know and lecture us seem much more confused than us! It's so disappointing!!!

Civic Education is the Answer
To so many out there,politics is a dirty game and it's not meant for the kind hearted. It is a game for the callous and criminal minds. Such is the impression and mindset of the majority of Nigerians,but, is that the case?
Politics is simply a methodology and activities involved in the running of a government.
Now,from the above definition ,there's nothing about it that suggests criminality. In fact,what it suggests is responsibility. In other words,being a social being,humans may have to interact and relate with one another. If that's going to be the case,there's need for law and order and to ensure that laws are effectively enforced we need some people to volunteer to see to it. We would also need highly intelligent and dedicated people to make the laws as well. This is why we need leaders...political leaders.
We need to ensure peaceful coexistence in our communities and to ensure that,we need to find responsible,intelligent and trustworthy people  to run these affairs for us. That's the true essence of the civil service and political leaders. So,by implication, the President, governors,senators,honourables and any other person that was elected to office and all those that work for and with them are in actual facts servants...our servants!
Now,that's the message for today. All political post holders and government workers of all sorts are actually my servants,your servants our servants why? Because we are the ones that put them there. We gave them all the powers they wield and our common wealth in trust. They are like our houseboys that do all the dirty laundry for us. When a house boy messes up,what do you do?
Now, don't answer yet,just keep it there against the next time we meet. Thanks for reading this far,really appreciate it.
Regards.

Nigeria Project

The greatest hinderance to Nigeria's development and progress is non other than the Nigeria's citizens' attitudes to the Nigerian project. If you ask an average citizen who he is,the probability he would say he is Nigerian is pretty low. Most would rather answer for their tribe and ethnical sect than answer for Nigeria. Most Nigerians donnot believe in Nigerian project. To add salt to sore,this ungodly attitude has been enshrined in our constitution backed up with law and a commission setup.
Literarily,this said commission,the federal character commission,is empowered by the constitution to enforce the sharing formula as agreed by the commission and the national assembly. For instance, if an hausa man is the Inspector General,the Director General of the State Security Service must be a yoruba
man even if there is a more qualified Ibo man while the Chief of defence staff would be an Ibo!
This highly sectarian way of appointment has the GREATEST damage to our co-existence and poses the greatest treat to the spirit competition and high quality productivity. And one more thing...it doesn't adequately provide for certain ethnic groups in the country!
People in the middle belt region,for instance,are often marginalized. By middlebelt,I am referring to the peoples of Benue,Kogi,Kwara and Niger states. We do have other minority ethnic groups that are not properly covered due to their small population and the discrimination of the larger ethnic groups in the same region.
The Okun,Tiv and Ebira people of the middle belt are few examples of such minority groups.
These minority groups of people seldomly get a fair share of the federal appointments allocated to their region. The Hausa/Fulani ethnic groups of their region dominate and take the largest chunk of the federal government appointments and benefit that are allocated to the North-Central region where they belong.
This has been the basis of most of the crisis and conflicts in the region. The Jos-plateau inscessant crisis,for instance, where the crisis,over the years have developed a religious undertone is a typical example of the adverse effects of encouraging tribalism in form of federal character!
Had it been that the federal character abuna no dey and every position in the country are competed for and ONLY the best is picked IRRESPECTIVE OF HIS RELIGION AND TRIBE,Nigeria would be better for it.
This federal character thing is killing us,in fact,it should be removed so that all governmental appointments are thrown in as opportunities to be competed for by EVERY AND ANY INTERESTED NIGERIAN. This would not only rejuvinate the spirit of competion and enhance productivity,it would also give a sense of belonging to a whole lot of marginalized sects and tribesmen of this country which in turn strenghten our unifying factor - the project Nigeria.
I therefore implore all Nigerians,home and away to call for the scrap of this evil sectarian policy and law and EVERYTHING associated with it. We are all Nigerians same and equal before the law,if we all contribute to the progress of the country,then,why should we have to share the benefits and rewards of everyone's hardwork by some formula that doesn't properly cover ALL those that laboured for it???
SAY NO TO INJUSTICE,SAY NO TO PARTIALITY, SAY NO TO SECTARIAN GOVERNMENT AND TRIBALISM,SAY NO TO THE FEDERAL CHARACTER PALAVA!
God Bless Nigeria!!!
Regards,
Abdurrahman.