Let's face it, no nation in the world can make progress if people are not united. If we continue to pretend that all is well with our dear country, we may never make any headway. As is often said, the first step to solving a problem is admitting that there is indeed a problem.

People often argue that Nigeria is a marriage of strange bedfellows. But I've always thought that's what a union is about. Building and sustaining relationships depend a whole lot on understanding and accepting our differences. Recognizing that variety is what makes life exciting. Knowing the difference between rights and privileges...

It appears however, that a particular region wants non of that. All they want is for everyone to be like them. Act like they do, talk, walk, eat, dress, sit, sleep, and most importantly, have the se religious ideals. Anything short of that, you're considered an infidel, a misfit, and less deserving of the air your breathe.

Not even practicing the same religion as them will save you when the blood thirsty radicals come for your head. You see, their moral, their code, their language is violence. They share this strong moral code from Zaria to Funtua, Naibawa to Hadejia.

To each national laws, they have their own principles; each constituted authority, their own soldiers. They have been made to believe that they are above everybody else. Somehow, they all seem convinced that they are the only right hand of God.

Being a hotbed of crises, of the many problems bedeviling this country, over 70 percent of it can be said to have emanated from the North and are religious-related.

So violent and volatile they are that a Nigerian need not lift a finger to provoke a violent response. All you have to do is air some Quran-burning activity in a foreign land and watch them go berserk.

Every policy, action or inaction is viewed through religious lenses. Any policy that doesn't pass the religious scrutiny is thrown out the window, regardless the benefits it promises.

Seeing no value in education, they are violent, ignorant, and politically motivated. Adhering strictly to hate-filled speeches made by some imams, we are beset by demon-hearted men ready to unleash hell on anyone who's seen practicing a different religion from theirs.

Radicalism in the north has cost Nigeria lots of valiant men and women, intellectuals, and has sent promising youths to an early grave.

Just recently, a certain governor ordered the demolition of churches in his state. In a move that can be likened to persecution, other religious bodies were banned in the Katsina State University, leaving only the Muslim body.

It is mentality as these that has led to Nigeria fighting wars on multiple fronts today. From Boko Haram to Fulani herdsmen and the other human disasters the north has dumped on us, Nigeria is bleeding from different places.

Islam isn't the culprit here, it's the people's mentality and perspectives of life. Truth is, in the wrong hands, no religion is a religion of peace. The problem is, a majority of people north or the country promotinge ethno-religious hegemony based on the idea that God prefers them to others. Guess due to their hypocritical lifestyle? You never can tell.

Understanding this, the politicians and elites seek to benefit from this by promoting conflict, differences and fear. The result is a region that has not known peace since the inception of the country.

A lot of potential foreign investments headed towards Nigeria has been redirected elsewhere owing to their activities. After all, no business will thrive in a religious, political, and socially rowdy environment.

At a time when other nations' universities are making advancements in science and engineering, a certain university is concerned only about religion. If just 1/3 of our universities are like that, then it's no wonder we are stuck in the dark age.

The conflict craving radicals North of Nigeria weren't born so, they were raised to become.

Nigeria cannot move forward unless the north changes it's mentality or Nigeria sever ties with her.

And to change her mentality, the people have to begin to raise their wards to reach their potentials rather than the them down in the name of religion. This can be done by giving them qualitative education.

Learn to accept and value people for being different.

We can make an all-inclusive happy ending to our history only if we try. We can build greater trust and solidarity by treating each and everyone fairly, respectfully, and building relationships.