Are there some compromise positions we can negotiate?

PhysicsQED:

If he thinks there are compromises, why not propose some?

antitpiah:
rofl. You expect too much from Nigerian writers. The fact that he actually can write is more than enough for me. I'd take that. He is no David Brooks or Ezra Klein or Rachel maddow. He is a Nigerian . . . Nuff said.

PhysicsQED:

If he thinks there are compromises, why not propose some?

Jarus: I have always respected Simon Kolawole, and he never disappoints.

He is to me the best columnist in the country today. He may snot be at par with the Sam Omatseyes of thsi word in wordsmithery, but his ideas on resolving the national problems are the best among Nigeria's legion of public commentators.

He is very detribalized, and hardly let religious affiliation becloud his opinions. The government can learn a lot from reading, digesting and taking clues from this guy's propositions.

I fully agree with all his submissions in the above piece, as with his other writings.

Jarus:

He has always proposed both parties(Berom and Fulani elders) coming together and working out a way to underplay the indigene-settler dichotomy. He specifically opines that the earlier the issue of settlership is dropped the better - that the Berom should not see the Fulanis and others as settlers again, while the Fulani should replicate same in teh states they dominate. Of course, it will alter much the political power, as the 'indigenes' can always rely on their numerical strenght to get the larger share of political power, democratically. For example, it will be easier for Berrom to produce a LG Chairman via election in an area occupied by both, while a sensitive elected Chairman can consider appointing a Fulani Vice Chair. And where the Fulanis are more, if any, they can bank on their size to achieve political power too.

the Urhobo, Yoruba and Igbo were living here long before the Fulani, yet they are not laying any claim to Jos—so why are the Fulani different?

PhysicsQED:

Thanks for the info.

I disagree with his idea.

It sounds like the perfect way to set the stage for future controversies and disputes.

And anyway, [size=18pt]until there is an actual Nigerian nationalism[/size] such as that which exists in a few other multicultural countries this will not actually work.

PhysicsQED:
Also, has he ever answered this question, that he put forward himself, in any of his other articles?:

afam4eva:
he didn't ask the question. he was just painting a typical opinion from the Berom people.

Personally, i cannot take sides in this case between the Berom and Fulani people because the more you look the less you understand. All this is happening because the government of the day has refused to come up with a law that seeks to settle this kind of dispute. The law should address questions such as "Who is an indegene and who is a settler?".

afam4eva:
The law should address questions such as "Who is an indegene and who is a settler?".

hercules07: The article needed to go deeper, the guy just gave us the pre-intimacy without the koko, by the way, is he not the same one that worked for Yar Adua?

livapul86:
The last question in your write up is at the core of the problem confronting Jos and the larger Nigerian society. Until we rid ourselves of our hypocrises and appropriately address the issue of settler-indigene status in the Nigerian constitution, we would continue to ask Questions just like the writer of this article without providing Workable solutions.

PS:
@Jarus, please I want to send you a private message. I need to ask you a question. Can I?

T9ksy:

It's only in the south (of nigeria), that we keep asking this dumb question.

In the north, there's no dichotomy here. "Settlers" know themselves and behave accordingly.

The "indigenes" know themselves too and exercise their might to the maximum, i.e sharia.

If a southerner like me was to go to kano and ask that question.

Never mind how long my ancestors have lived in the town, my head will have been seperated from my body before

anyone will even botherb to provide me with an answer.

And this is "ONE NIGERIA".................Shioooooor !!!

careytommy:
Tahnk you jor! I wonder why some southerners keep playing into the game plan of the northerners?
They created state of origin when the equation seemed to be against them in the 60s and want to change in the places where ot suits them
How many southerners despite spending all their growing years in the sabon-garis of the north can even dare broach such a suggestion in their state?
Today it is plateau(no thanks to stup!d gowon), tomorrow it may be someone else!

afam4eva:
he didn't ask the question. he was just painting a typical opinion from the Berom people.

Jarus:

He has always proposed both parties(Berom and Fulani elders) coming together and working out a way to underplay the indigene-settler dichotomy. He specifically opines that the earlier the issue of settlership is dropped the better - that the Berom should not see the Fulanis and others as settlers again, while the Fulani should replicate same in teh states they dominate. Of course, it will alter much the political power, as the 'indigenes' can always rely on their numerical strenght to get the larger share of political power, democratically. For example, it will be easier for Berrom to produce a LG Chairman via election in an area occupied by both, while a sensitive elected Chairman can consider appointing a Fulani Vice Chair. And where the Fulanis are more, if any, they can bank on their size to achieve political power too.

Jarus:

He has always proposed both parties(Berom and Fulani elders) coming together and working out a way to underplay the indigene-settler dichotomy. He specifically opines that the earlier the issue of settlership is dropped the better - that the Berom should not see the Fulanis and others as settlers again, while the Fulani should replicate same in teh states they dominate. Of course, it will alter much the political power, as the 'indigenes' can always rely on their numerical strenght to get the larger share of political power, democratically. For example, it will be easier for Berrom to produce a LG Chairman via election in an area occupied by both, while a sensitive elected Chairman can consider appointing a Fulani Vice Chair. And where the Fulanis are more, if any, they can bank on their size to achieve political power too.

nagoma:

So you think the east or west is more liberal in this respect ? Please be honest. I know at least six ministers / governors and head of state or equivalent who were SOUTHERNERS but settled in the north and were fully accepted. Some are serving right now as Northerners and are fully accepted. Because they are fully accepted , I don't want to list any names.

careytommy:
Before the issue of state of origin came up, most southerners could easily claim whichever area they grew up in, but now that has been greatly reduced.
Anywayn there are many southerners who have attained high political positions despite not being originally from those areas e.g Tinubu, Odili

StarrMatthieu: Good luck!