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razid:
@OP, thanks for this beautiful thought of yours. I actually wanted to do this yesterday, but I was let down by my emotions. I watched a documentary of Nigeria's independence and how our forefathers fought for it as if their lives depended on it. I listened to Pa Awolowo, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Dr Nnamdi Azikwe. They were quite awesome to listen to. You could feel their passions, their dedications, their visions, and their patriotism from their speech. They had one common goal and in spite of their outward differences, they had that elusive UNITY OF PURPOSE. I encouraged all of us to search for some of those pre-independence footage to get a glimpse.

To be candid, I always laugh whenever I hear or read about the fact that we are forced together. Nobody forced us together, if Lord Lugard didn't do it, one way or the other, the force of nature would have brought us together even without firing a single bullet. A child does not choose the circumstance of his/her birth. There are some countries that could be termed "accidents of nature" just like ours, viz: United States of America, Australia, Liberia et al. Their circumstances of birth were not palatable, but they have moved on beyond that and none of them is dwelling any longer on their dark beginnings. The earlier we realise this the better.

Just like you, in the early 80's, I remember my good friends Godwin and Victor of Igbo tribe and Muttalib of Hausa. We were very fond of each other then because all our parents are friends. Nobody bothered about religion or tribe. Even the Christians among us would tell their parents not to cook pork because of some Muslims among us and the parents would oblige. Such was the love among us in those days. As it is now, if perchance all of us have the chance to come together once again, I'm not sure such love would ever exist among us. That is the consequence of bad politicking by our politicians. They have succeeded in turning all of us to pawns to further their own interests.

Are we not even thinking at all? The politicians will use us as foot soldiers whenever they are not pleased with the establishment and immediately they get what they want, the narrative changes. Imagine some of them that were shouting about "salary jamboree" before the election, do you hear from them again? I don't blame them, I can only blame a poor fellow who has been conditioned to hate another poor fellow like himself due to circumstances of his birth.

@razid God bless.
At this rate am afraid for the future of this Nation and it's citizens

HATRED AND BITTERNESS ARE CANCEROUS TO THE BODY. THIS IS A FACT! A WORD IS ENOUGH FOR THE WISE

razid:
@OP, thanks for this beautiful thought of yours. I actually wanted to do this yesterday, but I was let down by my emotions. I watched a documentary of Nigeria's independence and how our forefathers fought for it as if their lives depended on it. I listened to Pa Awolowo, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Dr Nnamdi Azikwe. They were quite awesome to listen to. You could feel their passions, their dedications, their visions, and their patriotism from their speech. They had one common goal and in spite of their outward differences, they had that elusive UNITY OF PURPOSE. the early 80's, That is the consequence of bad politicking by our politicians. They have succeeded in turning all of us to pawns to furthe

Are we not even thinking at all? The politicians will use us as foot soldiers whenever they are not pleased with the establishment and immediately they get what they want, the narrative changes. Imagine some of them that were shouting about "salary jamboree" before the election, do you hear from them again? I don't blame them, I can only blame a poor fellow who has been conditioned to hate another poor fellow like himself due to circumstances of his birth.

thank God that u get the whole idea...have been asking myself What's the problem of Nigeria and it didn't take me long to find out that our problem isn't even religion rather it's politics and human emotional exploitation by politicians... haven identified the problem I asked myself, How can dis problem be solved I just realised that it's simple!!! Let us "the rich, the poor, the educated and the none educated " Nigerians pull the political structure of deceit we parade apart and through that way, okonkwo will be blamed by his people when he loots without odas seeing it as witch-hunting...likewise for kunle and mustapha.. Nigeria as individuals is awesome but as a nation? I reserve my comments.

Achilies:
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Am not afraid of Nigeria dieing because nigeria will not die.

Am just tired of all the tribal hate and sentiments.

Why don't we look for a way to make the east greater than it already is instead of us jumping from pillar to post screaming biafra?

thank God that you sound like someone who really mean well for Nigerian unity and u don't insult people while making ur stance. ..please Let just analyse what Nigeria stand to gain by staying as a country and what it stands to gain if it divides today without throwing insults.. tnks

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ozoebuka1:
thank God that you sound like someone who really mean well for Nigerian unity and u don't insult people while making ur stance. ..please Let just analyse what Nigeria stand to gain by staying as a country and what it stands to gain if it divides today without throwing insults.. tnks

To me. Nigeria stands to gain a lot if we stick together as one than if we go our separate ways. Each tribe is unique in its own way and have a lot to offer for the betterment of the country.

@OP

Your candor is admirable.

Your post is however based on the faulty premise that Nigeria is a nation and that some how something has gone wrong that is now 'killing it'.

Much as i would have wanted to be wrong, the indisputable reality is that Nigeria is not a nation, has never been a nation and until the proponents of 'one Nigeria' face up to this reality and make an effort to actually address the structural deficits that plague the conglomeration of different tribal and ethnic groups that occupy the space called Nigeria, that process of nation building can never begin.

The wounds that you see and interprete as Nigeria dying, have always been there. They've been plastered over but nobody made any attempt to heal them. Read again the writings of the founding fathers you've mentioned, but this time very carefully. Some hoped we could become a nation but be reminded that it is also from these same founding fathers that we got things like 'Nigeria is only a geographical expression' or that this 'nation' belongs to some more than others. . .

My idealistic friend, in the real world wounds that are left untreated fester. And no matter how much we long to sit down together, hold hands and sing kumbaya, festering wounds that remain untreated become toxic and can lead to untimely death that could have been prevented . . .

Achilies:
[color=#006600][/color]

To me. Nigeria stands to gain a lot if we stick together as one than if we go our separate ways. Each tribe is unique in its own way and have a lot to offer for the betterment of the country.

no insult oh but u didn't say anything we are going to gain by sticking together.. I will be happy if u can be more direct in ur statements.. tell me d benefits so that others can see it as well... maybe that will help those agitating for biafra to have a rethink.

PointB:



They'll call you whatever they will nonetheless. But that should not stop you from saying your mind.

Personally, Nigeria is either a zoo or a jungle; it's clearly not a nation. Those hoping to see Nigeria great are justing wasting their time. Nigeria is a failed state.

Saying the truth pointblank. Always on point PointB.

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ozoebuka1:
no insult oh but u didn't say anything we are going to gain by sticking together.. I will be happy if u can be more direct in ur statements.. tell me d benefits so that others can see it as well... maybe that will help those agitating for biafra to have a rethink.

If after all this year's together as a nation u still don't see reasons why we should stay together as one. Then nothing I say can change your mind..

Achilies:
[color=#006600][/color]

If after all this year's together as a nation u still don't see reasons why we should stay together as one. Then nothing I say can change your mind..

from ur statements I've deduced that u actually don't really know Why u want Nigeria to be united and i think I will Let you be...thanks for your time.

Ngwaukwu1:
@OP

Your candor is admirable.

Your post is however based on the faulty premise that Nigeria is a nation and that some how something has gone wrong that is now some how 'killing it'.

Much as i would have wanted to be wrong, the indisputable reality is that Nigeria is not a nation, has never been a nation and until the proponents of 'one Nigeria' face up to this reality and make an effort to actually address the structural deficits that plague the conglomeration of different tribal and ethnic groups that occupy the space called Nigeria, that process of nation building can never begin.

The wounds that you see and interprete as Nigeria dying, have always been there. They've been plastered over but nobody made any attempt to heal the wounds. Read again the writings of the founding fathers you've mentioned, but this time very carefully. Some hoped we could become a nation but be reminded that it is also from these same founding fathers that we got things like 'Nigeria is only a geographical expression' or that this 'nation' belongs to some more than others. . .

My idealistic friend, in the real world wounds that are left untreated fester. And no matter how much we long to sit down together, hold hands and sing kumbaya, festering wounds that remain untreated become toxic and can lead to untimely death that could have been prevented . . .

I totally agree with you that Nigeria is not a nation. Two things make a nation according to a school of thought - homogenuity and leadership. Nigeria can never be a nation by the first category as its composition makes that impossible. However, if given the chance, Nigeria can be a nation if we have a credible leadership that can galvanise each of the component together. For now, that leader is still elusive, not that it is not possible but we shouldn't shy away from the fact that we are yet to have a leader that will selflessly bring out the best of the various components that make the entity called Nigeria. My friend, who knows, you might be the leader we have been waiting for.

Another thing is that we have not had a national catastrophy that could bring out the nationalism in all of us. Have you ever wondered why when you are watching a football match and Nigeria scores and all of us regardless of tongue and faith explode in euphoria? It's because we have a common enemy that need to be defeated at that point in time. It doesn't matter if Emmanuel Emenike or Ahmed Musa or Gbolahan Salami that scored the goal. All that matter is an enemy needed to be defeated and that is all. I have never seen a situation whereby a Yoruba person will say he would not celebrate a goal because it is scored by an Igbo person or an Igbo person would not celebrate a goal because it was scored by an Hausa man. It is because at that point in time, we are united by purpose, our national pride is at stake. I have been in a group of people that represented Nigeria at a point in time. We all worked together to make Nigeria proud. At that time, tongue and faith didn't matter, we all had each other's back and the dignity of Nigeria was what mattered to us. So maybe because we have not had a national calamity in the real sense, our nationalism is yet to manifest. Remember America during 9/11, they left all their immediate problems and united to fight the common enemy. They didn't look for how many whites were killed or how many blacks died; or how many Christians or how many Muslims. To them, America was under attack and every America should see that as a threat.

Recently, many Nigerians got killed in Mecca, what were our reactions? Some Nigerians are getting killed day by day in the North East, how do we react? Some people died recently in Onitsha as a result of petrol tanker explosion, did it matter to us? No, because we see it as a regional thing. I tell you if tomorrow a country like Benin Republic invades Nigeria and God forbid kill many people in Lagos, nobody will tell those who are shouting secession to fall in line. As far as I don't pray for a national calamity, let's just hope that we will find a leader that will galvanise and bring the best in each of us. Thank you.

Nigeria is not a nation and has never been. You OP have a very good desire to see her great but another man's definition of Nigeria being great is when you don't have a say in what happens in the contraption. I assume you're an Igbo man so I'll ask you this question. How much do you know about history and the politics of the evil Nigerian government with respect to Igboland. I hope you do an indepth research and what I discovered has help change my orientation. I use to even see a possible cooperation with our fellow southerners- the Yorubas so break through the quagmire that we've found ourselves but how wrong I was. Recent events has made me give up on such an impossibility. As you are busy thinking of a beautiful Nigeria some are some where thinking on how to destroy your people and take over your land. I had a very similar childhood as you so I do understand your stance but reality must be faced when you get matured. Your people are hated in Nigeria. I know this too well.

God bless you richly Op. are the moderators not seeing this?

How cn u acuse sm one of tribalism wen d govt legalised it using state of origin? At d same time having an over centrized FG.

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basilo101:
How cn u acuse sm one of tribalism wen d govt legalised it using state of origin? At d same time having an over centrized FG.

Yes I agree with u on this.
On many occasions I have asked why can't our I.D cards say our state of residence instead of state of origin.

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justirich:
God bless you richly Op. are the moderators not seeing this?

No they are not seeing it.
Since it's not about tonto dike and co.

I don't expect this to reach FP. It is good business for lalasticlala seun and co. It drives traffic.


But it's a shame we as Nigerians don't have a well defined NIGERIAN DREAM. The pride of being American above all is what have set America both in their evil and good ahead of most nations. But God Almighty will still get us there

God bless Nigeria

One love

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Yujin:
Nigeria is not a nation and has never been. You OP have a very good desire to see her great but another man's definition of Nigeria being great is when you don't have a say in what happens in the contraption. I assume you're an Igbo man so I'll ask you this question. How much do you know about history and the politics of the evil Nigerian government with respect to Igboland. I hope you do an indepth research and what I discovered has help change my orientation. I use to even see a possible cooperation with our fellow southerners- the Yorubas so break through the quagmire that we've found ourselves but how wrong I was. Recent events has made me give up on such an impossibility. As you are busy thinking of a beautiful Nigeria some are some where thinking on how to destroy your people and take over your land. I had a very similar childhood as you so I do understand your stance but reality must be faced when you get matured. Your people are hated in Nigeria. I know this too well.

Yes I am igbo and a very proud one at that.
I know a lot about the atrocities and injustice done on the igbo Race before the war, during the war and even till 40 years after the way.

I know about the deep hatred most tribes have towards the igbos.

Yes I even know the full meaning of the name of our currency NAIRA.

But even with that I still Dream of a better nigeria. Perhaps it is a foolish dream but it I a dream never the less. A united nigeria is possible but for it to be possible all hands most be on deck.

And it starts with us the youth.

It is what happens when people are fundamentally ignorant. There are no two ways about,unknoledgeble people are bound to perish

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razid:

I totally agree with you that Nigeria is not a nation. Two things make a nation according to a school of thought - homogenuity and leadership. Nigeria can never be a nation by the first category as its composition makes that impossible. However, if given the chance, Nigeria can be a nation if we have a credible leadership that can galvanise each of the component together. For now, that leader is still elusive, not that it is not possible but we shouldn't shy away from the fact that we are yet to have a leader that will selflessly bring out the best of the various components that make the entity called Nigeria. My friend, who knows, you might be the leader we have been waiting for.

Another thing is that we have not had a national catastrophy that could bring out the nationalism in all of us. Have you ever wondered why when you are watching a football match and Nigeria scores and all of us regardless of tongue and faith explode in euphoria? It's because we have a common enemy that need to be defeated at that point in time. It doesn't matter if Emmanuel Emenike or Ahmed Musa or Gbolahan Salami that scored the goal. All that matter is an enemy needed to be defeated and that is all. I have never seen a situation whereby a Yoruba person will say he would not celebrate a goal because it is scored by an Igbo person or an Igbo person would not celebrate a goal because it was scored by an Hausa man. It is because at that point in time, we are united by purpose, our national pride is at stake. I have been in a group of people that represented Nigeria at a point in time. We all worked together to make Nigeria proud. At that time, tongue and faith didn't matter, we all had each other's back and the dignity of Nigeria was what mattered to us. So maybe because we have not had a national calamity in the real sense, our nationalism is yet to manifest. Remember America during 9/11, they left all their immediate problems and united to fight the common enemy. They didn't look for how many whites were killed or how many blacks died; or how many Christians or how many Muslims. To them, America was under attack and every America should see that as a threat.

Recently, many Nigerians got killed in Mecca, what were our reactions? Some Nigerians are getting killed day by day in the North East, how do we react? Some people died recently in Onitsha as a result of petrol tanker explosion, did it matter to us? No, because we see it as a regional thing. I tell you if tomorrow a country like Benin Republic invades Nigeria and God forbid kill many people in Lagos, nobody will tell those who are shouting secession to fall in line. As far as I don't pray for a national calamity, let's just hope that we will find a leader that will galvanise and bring the best in each of us. Thank you.

When it comes to football the level of unity and pride we display is quite amazing. But sadly it only last for a few hours.

[color=#006600][/color]

Ngwaukwu1:
@OP

Your candor is admirable.

Your post is however based on the faulty premise that Nigeria is a nation and that some how something has gone wrong that is now some how 'killing it'.

Much as i would have wanted to be wrong, the indisputable reality is that Nigeria is not a nation, has never been a nation and until the proponents of 'one Nigeria' face up to this reality and make an effort to actually address the structural deficits that plague the conglomeration of different tribal and ethnic groups that occupy the space called Nigeria, that process of nation building can never begin.

The wounds that you see and interprete as Nigeria dying, have always been there. They've been plastered over but nobody made any attempt to heal the wounds. Read again the writings of the founding fathers you've mentioned, but this time very carefully. Some hoped we could become a nation but be reminded that it is also from these same founding fathers that we got things like 'Nigeria is only a geographical expression' or that this 'nation' belongs to some more than others. . .

My idealistic friend, in the real world wounds that are left untreated fester. And no matter how much we long to sit down together, hold hands and sing kumbaya, festering wounds that remain untreated become toxic and can lead to untimely death that could have been prevented . . .

My brother I know a lot about our wounds.
I know a lot about the injustice that has been done to us before the war, during the war, after the war and even till date.

I know about the deep hatred some people have towards the igbos.

But even with that I still Dream for a better and united nigeria. Perhaps it is a foolish dream but a dream nevertheless.

Who are the founding fathers? Amadu Bello the sectional leader? Tarawa Balewa the sectional leader? Obafemi Awolowo the sectional leader who does not know his true enemies? Nnamdi Azikiwe who was short sighted not to see the difference btw North and South? Is it Akintola that was dining with the devils? Those guys ruined our foundation and by extension ruined Nigeria for good. They are no heroes! If there were wise, they would have given us a foundation that is not faulty. How the hell did our leaders allowed us to be together when south and north is like oil and water that cannot mix? They set us for failure.

Is bokoharam not a national calamity? Did it unite us? Or you want a nuclear explosion to unite us? Water and oil cannot mix.....we ain't one and will never be!

razid:

I totally agree with you that Nigeria is not a nation. Two things make a nation according to a school of thought - homogenuity and leadership. Nigeria can never be a nation by the first category as its composition makes that impossible. However, if given the chance, Nigeria can be a nation if we have a credible leadership that can galvanise each of the component together. For now, that leader is still elusive, not that it is not possible but we shouldn't shy away from the fact that we are yet to have a leader that will selflessly bring out the best of the various components that make the entity called Nigeria. My friend, who knows, you might be the leader we have been waiting for.

Another thing is that we have not had a national catastrophy that could bring out the nationalism in all of us. Have you ever wondered why when you are watching a football match and Nigeria scores and all of us regardless of tongue and faith explode in euphoria? It's because we have a common enemy that need to be defeated at that point in time. It doesn't matter if Emmanuel Emenike or Ahmed Musa or Gbolahan Salami that scored the goal. All that matter is an enemy needed to be defeated and that is all. I have never seen a situation whereby a Yoruba person will say he would not celebrate a goal because it is scored by an Igbo person or an Igbo person would not celebrate a goal because it was scored by an Hausa man. It is because at that point in time, we are united by purpose, our national pride is at stake. I have been in a group of people that represented Nigeria at a point in time. We all worked together to make Nigeria proud. At that time, tongue and faith didn't matter, we all had each other's back and the dignity of Nigeria was what mattered to us. So maybe because we have not had a national calamity in the real sense, our nationalism is yet to manifest. Remember America during 9/11, they left all their immediate problems and united to fight the common enemy. They didn't look for how many whites were killed or how many blacks died; or how many Christians or how many Muslims. To them, America was under attack and every America should see that as a threat.

Recently, many Nigerians got killed in Mecca, what were our reactions? Some Nigerians are getting killed day by day in the North East, how do we react? Some people died recently in Onitsha as a result of petrol tanker explosion, did it matter to us? No, because we see it as a regional thing. I tell you if tomorrow a country like Benin Republic invades Nigeria and God forbid kill many people in Lagos, nobody will tell those who are shouting secession to fall in line. As far as I don't pray for a national calamity, let's just hope that we will find a leader that will galvanise and bring the best in each of us. Thank you.

IBB is the cause, he knows it. If you can show him my post, he is nigerias problem. Evil genius!

DMerciful:
Who are the founding fathers? Amadu Bello the sectional leader? Tarawa Balewa the sectional leader? Obafemi Awolowo the sectional leader who does not know his true enemies? Nnamdi Azikiwe who was short sighted not to see the difference btw North and South? Is it Akintola that was dining with the devils? Those guys ruined our foundation and by extension ruined Nigeria for good. They are no heroes! If there were wise, they would have given us a foundation that is not faulty. How the hell did our leaders allowed us to be together when south and north is like oil and water that cannot mix? They set us for failure.

I partly agreed with you.

But why on earth the successive leaders could not rise above nonsensity?

Nobody of them see one nigeria as their country.

But since independent one of the major set back for our development is the issue of what I will call the SENTIMENT i.e. religion and tribal issue.

From independent these twin barrier has always played a role as major setback to our total development. Our forefather might use the twin barrier as tool to get support from their regions and not looking at the bigger picture. These might be due to the situation then and I do not think we of this generation need look through the same SENTIMENT they used then.

The world has moved forward and we are left behind, we need to move with the world, where what will be used to judge you will not be your tribe/religion, but what you have got to offer.

Only in the USA a son of migrant can vie for the highest position in the country not considering where he is from, but what has he got to offer?

My compatriots, we need to move forward, we cannot be left behind, we have to remove the SENTIMENT and see things the way they are. We should read/listen/see issues without the sentiment to make an objective decision.

Of course, the answer to the religion/tribal sentiments question was already embedded within our Constitution - a Constitution that had at is very core the ideal of equal citizenship under the law; a Constitution that promised its people liberty, and justice, and a union that could be and should be perfected over time.

And yet words on a parchment would not be enough to deliver religion/tribal bigots from bondage, or provide men and women of every color, tribe and creed their full rights and obligations as citizens of Nigeria. What would be needed were Nigerians in successive generations who were willing to do their part - through protests and struggle, on the streets and in the courts, through a civil war and civil disobedience and always at great risk - to narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time.

This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign - to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous Nigeria. I chose to come out at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together - unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction - towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren.

On religion, nigerians are probably most ungodly people on earth. Largely, nigerians are just hypocrite that use name of God to do bad things.

Those big names religious leaders are mostly fake and fake. They are mostly fraud that only concern about money. They do not represent God.

My compatriots, we cant continue on that path anymore, we have to move forward. We should not allow people to continue to hold us back with the SENTIMENT, we have to tell them that we have moved on. Many of the so called leaders are more interested on achieving a myopic agenda.

When and where did we even elect them to speak on our behalf? So we should tell them please speak for yourself hence fort. Don’t drag me to what I do not want to be part of. Don’t allow them any more to confuse you using the SENTIMENT.

Compatriot the time is NOW to shape our destiny, our collective destinies have been abused using the SENTIMENT, and we have to put a stop to it, we cant continue like that any more, for the past 53 yrs where the SENTIMENT has been used nothing is there for the majority to see, only few opportunists have gained from it.

I have had the opportunity to discuss with some leaders in this country, and to be honest, am more disappointed than impress by many of them. If so are the leaders, God bless the congregation.

Those who disagree fail to see the bigger picture. Your sense of right and wrong cloud your better judgment to notice that the ideas of a more united Nigeria, a more united world for that matter, are what we need now and forever more. I long to see the day where we as a people forget the word tribe/religion, forget party loyalties and remember that everyone next to us is just as bit of human as we ourselves are.

But tribe/religion is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that our leaders make - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality and many then tend to believe it, and it is pass from one regeneration to the next.

Unity of a nation or unity of purpose from differing ethnicities in a space comes with mutual respect and sincere recognition of the aspirations of the other. Mutual respect within that space depends on the foundation created to accommodate the aspirations of these very differing ethnicities....Sadly Nigeria as a nation have not come to address that thus the lack of unity and unity of purpose among us.

Each successive leader or leaders merely expoilted the emotional content of our being ..religion and ethnicity to further their stay in power NOT to unite us.

I understand that idealism of the OP, unfortunately idealism remains ideal as long as the basic principle of which nations as diverse as ours are founded are negated by the same people that crave unity.

You get unity from me when you credit my dreams within the polity not when you see it as debt I must pay.

Redesign the foundation and see your dream nation flourish until then is just another dream.

[color=#006600][/color]

hasyak:
My compatriots, we cant continue on that path anymore, we have to move forward. We should not allow people to continue to hold us back with the SENTIMENT, we have to tell them that we have moved on. Many of the so called leaders are more interested on achieving a myopic agenda.

When and where did we even elect them to speak on our behalf? So we should tell them please speak for yourself hence fort. Don’t drag me to what I do not want to be part of. Don’t allow them any more to confuse you using the SENTIMENT.

Compatriot the time is NOW to shape our destiny, our collective destinies have been abused using the SENTIMENT, and we have to put a stop to it, we cant continue like that any more, for the past 53 yrs where the SENTIMENT has been used nothing is there for the majority to see, only few opportunists have gained from it.

I have had the opportunity to discuss with some leaders in this country, and to be honest, am more disappointed than impress by many of them. If so are the leaders, God bless the congregation.

Those who disagree fail to see the bigger picture. Your sense of right and wrong cloud your better judgment to notice that the ideas of a more united Nigeria, a more united world for that matter, are what we need now and forever more. I long to see the day where we as a people forget the word tribe/religion, forget party loyalties and remember that everyone next to us is just as bit of human as we ourselves are.

But tribe/religion is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that our leaders make - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality and many then tend to believe it, and it is pass from one regeneration to the next.

For far to long we as a nation. As a people have allowed our leaders and elders use sentiments to destroy this great nation and untill we the youth sand up and say enough is enough am afraid the Nigeria of our dreams will not be realized.

[color=#006600][/color]

kmariko:
Unity of a nation or unity of purpose from differing ethnicities in a space comes with mutual respect and sincere recognition of the aspirations of the other. Mutual respect within that space depends on the foundation created to accommodate the aspirations of these very differing ethnicities....Sadly Nigeria as a nation have not come to address that thus the lack of unity and unity of purpose among us.

Each successive leader or leaders merely expoilted the emotional content of our being ..religion and ethnicity to further their stay in power NOT to unite us.

I understand that idealism of the OP, unfortunately idealism remains ideal as long as the basic principle of which nations as diverse as ours are founded are negated by the same people that crave unity.

You get unity from me when you credit my dreams within the polity not when you see it as debt I must pay.

Redesign the foundation and see your dream nation flourish until then is just another dream.

If the right steps are taking that dream can be a reality.

I love your post and do agree wholeheartedly