Since 1914, the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country, but Nigerians themselves are historically different in their backgrounds, religious beliefs and customs and do not show themselves any sign of willingness to unite. Its unity in diversity is only a British intention for the country and not the willingness of the people. Ever since, Nigeria has been in the eyes of this powerful nation, watching how long the Nation would last.

The amalgamation of southern and northern protectorates in 1914 by the British to let the people forgo their differences, as adherents of different faiths (Muslims or Christians) or ethnic groups(Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba) and come together as one nation has not yielded any good results, hence the nation seems divided as ever.

With the aim of Integrating the future generation after the civil war, NYSC schemes was also introduced for the promotion of national unity. But the scheme has failed to meet up with the dream of national integration. Many graduates of today prefer to serve in their own region than being deployed to areas where their culture, tribes and religions are not alike. So the aim of National Youth and Service corps failed to make the people forgo their differences and has also contributed to the nation’s injuries of diversity, likewise given a chance to let the people see the reasons why they have to protect their religions, faiths and tribes which are detrimental to our peaceful co-existence as a nation.

Therefore, doubting the country’s division along tribal and religious line and hatred amongst its so called ethnic groups and religious bodies is like trying to abort a baby that has been born. Our marriage as a nation is certainly falling apart just like that of Yugoslavia.

A political associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Olaniwun Ajayionce once said, while reacting to the agitation of the Niger Delta and Biafra region, that President Muhammad Buhari should not reject the persistence calls by well –meaning Nigerians for the restructuring of the country. He made it clear that failure of Yugoslavia’s leaders to recognise the fact that the country was a confederation of republics led to the series of bloody war which eventually made the country disintegrated into several nations.

He said, “Yugoslavia has about eight nationalities. They have done all they could to make sure that every nation in the country went in its own way, but their leaders said no. They tried all what they could not to disintegrate until they began to kill themselves before later divided into Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His statement and those of some other well-meaning Nigerians attest to the fact that the Nation is sleeping on a gun powder.

For those that need to be reminded, the old Yugoslavia was similar to Nigeria in terms of its ethnic diversity and religious plurality. It was a marriage of various ethnic nationalities and religions, comprising of orthodox Christians, Catholics, protestants, the Muslims and so on and all the different nationalities- the Croats, Serbs, Kosovars, Bosnians (Muslims), and many others; very diverse, just like Nigerian Nation. But when what brought them together started fading away, other tribes, mostly Serbian (Christians) had been involved in stockpiling arms in preparation for war, years before it actually broke out.

Bosnia tribes (Muslims) were the only ethnic group in Yugoslavia that was not prepared for it. They kept talking, writing newspaper articles, appeasing the aggressors and their tormentors, praying and hoping for peace whilst all the other ethnic and religious groups and warring parties were quietly preparing for war. When the fighting started, they suffered immensely for their lack of understanding, insight and foresight and their civilian population paid a heavy price. They were killed like flies and their women and children were raped and enslaved.

Today, things of such are being perpetrated in this country. There was a report of Ex- Niger Delta militant, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo of purchasing seven decommissioned Norwegian battleships during the administration of Doctor Goodluck Jonathan which was said to have been re-armed with new weaponry (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/182368-norway-regrets-selling-warships-to-ex-niger-delta-militant-tompolo.html). Till today, no one is talking about this anymore. It has gone under the carpet. But the question we keep asking is,“what will a militant do with the seven war ships when Nigeria is not at war?

Apart from that, since the end of the civil war between Biafra and Nigeria on January 15th 1970, the people have never for once given in to see the Independence of the Republic of Biafra resurrected. It is well known that only the government of Nigeria has the power to train military personnel in the country and not by one region. But how could a region (Biafra) send 500 military personnel to the State of Israel since 2014 to be trained as Pilots and Engineers and for what purpose (https://www.nairaland.com/1531962/biafran-zionist-movement-sends-500)? It would sound ridiculous for every right thinking person. There was also a promise made by the American President elect, Donald Trump at his presidential rally to the Biafra flag waiving man,“If the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration” Trump reaffirmed.

Not only that, for quite some time, there have been numerous cases of Serbian-like people in Nigeria involved in arm smuggling and these cases were widely reported in the media but no action was taken. Started from 2010, the Punch Newspaper reported the arrest of Five (5) Pastors “for operating an Illegal Military outfit” in Lagos, with their photographs published on page 11 of the Wednesday edition, 10th March, 2010.

There were also report on the arrest CAN Military operatives by the police “for operating illegal security outfit” in Jalingo, Taraba State. Those arrested included Reverend Chaplain ShehuYakubu, a retired customs officer, Sunday Silas a retired SSS officer, Sulaiman Audu, a retired ASP, Y. Winew, a retired ASP, Isma’ila Makaniki and many others. This was reported by the Daily Trust Newspaper of Saturday, 2nd November, 2013 at page 10.

In Lagos, the Saturday Sun newspaper of 10th March, 2012, at page 10, reported that 11 cartons of explosives imported from SouthAfrica, which were carefully packaged to beat security checks, were intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos. The huge consignments were for Miero Marble Granite and Stones Ltd, in Kaduna State, withone Mr. Micheal Awara Ernest as the Company representative to collect the explosives at the Cargo terminal. The statement of the Customs Area commandant at the Airport, Mr. Charles EporweiEdike, which was profoundly insightful on the intent and probable consequences of the explosive, fell on the deaf ears of the then SSS. He said “if those items were released, they could have been used to cause mayhem. We are now going to hand him and the items over to the Police for further investigation”. Since the handover, neither the Police nor the Spokes woman of the SSS have said, or done anything on the case and where the explosives are being kept is yet unknown.

There was a BBC news report published by THISDAY Newspaper of Friday, 13th January, 2012 on page 6, on a British arms dealer, Gary Hyde being prosecuted in aLondon court for unlawfully arranging the shipment of about 80,000guns and 32Million rounds of ammunition from China to Nigeria in2007.

According to the release of the supreme council for sharia in Nigeria in December 2013, it was made known that there was a systematic robbery of the armoury of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, the 1st division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Ikeja cantonment involving Christian serving Officers and Generals. A Military inquiry was instituted and many Christian Officers, serving and retired including the Late General Azazi, were indicted, but nothing was done to any of them. More importantly, the arms were nowhere to be found? Not to even talk of former CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor’s involvement in arms smuggling jet caught with $10million in South Africa. The examples are just too numerous to cite and this is how it started in Yugoslavia and Nigeria has been towing the same line.

There were views expressed twenty-two years ago by Yoruba people which are still being re-echoed today. These views are to return to the pre-1996 evolutionary path: a balanced federal structure which recognises fully the legitimate claims of all ethnic groups for self-determination and where no single entity among the federating units will be strong or powerful enough to hold the others to ransom.

The Yoruba in diaspora have been contributing significantly to this development. The leaders of Egbe Omo Yoruba in the United States and Canada, the worldwide Yoruba think- thank organisation, Odua Foundation, with headquarters in the United States and with members in various countries across the world have been intensely busy over the project of Yoruba Nation just like Biafra, Arewa and Niger Delta people. The manner that is similar to pre- Bosnia war.

Though Nigerian Leaders are trying to preserve the unity of the country but in a situation where many have been threatening violence and war; and have been stockpiling dangerous weapons, and making other kinds of war preparations, can the unity of such a country be guaranteed?We just hope that what transpired in Yugoslavia would not replicate itself here, in our dear country, Nigeria.

There is fire on the mountain.
Lukman Solahudeen Ayyubi

Nigeria's case may be worse going by the divisive nature of GMB and his incompetent team

Our problem are the politicians. Not our individual differences

Where exactly are we going in this country

It is just getting tougher and worse every single day...

Who are the bridge builders in the present day Nigeria? The older generation of bridge builders who have friends across the Niger are gradually fading out. The present generation of youths especially those from the north are isolated from the southern counterpart based on religion and ethnic sentiment. The Nigeria is badly demarcated that, once the present crop of men who still have southern friends are no more, the youth from the north and south prrsently are not compactible. This is based on their perception of each other anand vibes from the social media. No thanks to religious and ethinic leaders. The center may not hold

Good!.....Can't wait!!

Moves to try and salvage the sinking ship that is 'one Nigeria' are akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!

From the name of the author, it is obvious that it was written by someone from Biafra.

Wrongly spelt name, all because you want to carry us along.

Who tell you that Yoruba wants Odùduwà?

I support the division of Nigeria

You can't force people to unite if they are not interested

Una go just wake up write nonsense

Yhen Yhen Yhen

****

So be it ,I can't wait to see that happen ,but Biafra must be for Igbo's only I mean those in the Southeast and those outside ,no inch of igboland should will be left behind..

PROUDIGBO:
Good!.....Can't wait!!

Cant wait for what exactly?
War or breakup?
If its break up, very good, I cant wait also, but if its otherwise, I would suggest you have a rethink. War is not what we need for division. If eventually the breakup happens as a result of war, then it will take each new states years to recover.

War is not what we should be paying for.

About this Yugoslavia breakup, just watch "Balkan Line", it will help to give more insight, just a small part though but it worths watching

EastGold:
From the name of the author, it is obvious that it was written by someone from Biafra.

Wrongly spelt name, all because you want to carry us along.

Who tell you that Yoruba wants Odùduwà?

slave what igbo doing here

Brandstudio01:
Our problem is the politicians. Not our individual differences

Our problem is that we are not meant to be conjoined together....thiugh the military colonist joined us together for ease of administration and cost-minimizing...howver, our nationalist suppose to undo the cojoining before going for Independence....
Nigeria case is just like a lady that want to marry on time...instead of marrying with the person that they both possess the same value and common goal...she married a strange so after three years of their marriage..the Union started coming with different issues that led to civil matrimony war....and some external body came to solve the problem for them but the issue persists till this present generation...
Despite the fact that they have been having children in the marriage what do you think will become of the characters and posterity of these broken homes....

Nigeria, which way..

Say no more...

Anything that will guarantee peace, development and security is welcome....

I don't know how so called elders would be living in deception, and would want to foist it on everyone.

This country cannot remain together for as long as it has lasted (that's another 60 years). Its impossible.

If our elders were wise, nothing else should be spoken of other than the peaceful dissolution of this country in such a way that every region would have some benefit.

Our Government doesn't even care

We need to stop blaming the British who left us with true federalism they themselves are still practicing today.

In United Kingdom, only foreigners call themselves British or when they are telling war stories. What you hear is Wales/Welch, Ireland/Irish, Scotland/Scottish and then England/English. The banknotes in England is different from the ones they spend in Scotland because they understand that Fulani heroes are not Yoruba heroes and Igbos heroes are not fulani heroes. This is why whites are doing better, they know we are not the same and will never be but Nigerians are forcing to be together just to steal from others.

You hear English breakfast, Scottish bar and Irish pub but if you say "Yoruba food" in Nigeria it's tribalistic because black man is too dishonest to his kind.

It was a Nigerian who suspended that very system just to steal from other regions and that is where the problem of Nigeria started.

During a naturalization oath ceremony a lady said 'Welch' when asked her nationality and it too me forever to know she meant the one in UK. It's like me saying Yoruba when asked where I'm from but Nigerians would see it as tribalistic.

Freedom and true federalism is tribalistic

We had the opportunity to change course in 2014 when a "southerner" was sitting in aso rock but allowed it to slip, I believe if there's another opportunity, Nigerians will not take it.

Most people are in Nigeria for economic reasons and the rest are just confused.

The best thing is for Nigeria to break into 6 countries or at least go back to regional govt.

I hope Yoruba are not the new Bosnia!

Simplesoul87:
Our Government doesn't even care

It is Obvious

Mazeed40:
Since 1914, the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country, but Nigerians themselves are historically different in their backgrounds, religious beliefs and customs and do not show themselves any sign of willingness to unite. Its unity in diversity is only a British intention for the country and not the willingness of the people. Ever since, Nigeria has been in the eyes of this powerful nation, watching how long the Nation would last.

The amalgamation of southern and northern protectorates in 1914 by the British to let the people forgo their differences, as adherents of different faiths (Muslims or Christians) or ethnic groups(Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba) and come together as one nation has not yielded any good results, hence the nation seems divided as ever.

With the aim of Integrating the future generation after the civil war, NYSC schemes was also introduced for the promotion of national unity. But the scheme has failed to meet up with the dream of national integration. Many graduates of today prefer to serve in their own region than being deployed to areas where their culture, tribes and religions are not alike. So the aim of National Youth and Service corps failed to make the people forgo their differences and has also contributed to the nation’s injuries of diversity, likewise given a chance to let the people see the reasons why they have to protect their religions, faiths and tribes which are detrimental to our peaceful co-existence as a nation.

Therefore, doubting the country’s division along tribal and religious line and hatred amongst its so called ethnic groups and religious bodies is like trying to abort a baby that has been born. Our marriage as a nation is certainly falling apart just like that of Yugoslavia.

A political associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Olaniwun Ajayionce once said, while reacting to the agitation of the Niger Delta and Biafra region, that President Muhammad Buhari should not reject the persistence calls by well –meaning Nigerians for the restructuring of the country. He made it clear that failure of Yugoslavia’s leaders to recognise the fact that the country was a confederation of republics led to the series of bloody war which eventually made the country disintegrated into several nations.

He said, “Yugoslavia has about eight nationalities. They have done all they could to make sure that every nation in the country went in its own way, but their leaders said no. They tried all what they could not to disintegrate until they began to kill themselves before later divided into Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His statement and those of some other well-meaning Nigerians attest to the fact that the Nation is sleeping on a gun powder.

For those that need to be reminded, the old Yugoslavia was similar to Nigeria in terms of its ethnic diversity and religious plurality. It was a marriage of various ethnic nationalities and religions, comprising of orthodox Christians, Catholics, protestants, the Muslims and so on and all the different nationalities- the Croats, Serbs, Kosovars, Bosnians (Muslims), and many others; very diverse, just like Nigerian Nation. But when what brought them together started fading away, other tribes, mostly Serbian (Christians) had been involved in stockpiling arms in preparation for war, years before it actually broke out.

Bosnia tribes (Muslims) were the only ethnic group in Yugoslavia that was not prepared for it. They kept talking, writing newspaper articles, appeasing the aggressors and their tormentors, praying and hoping for peace whilst all the other ethnic and religious groups and warring parties were quietly preparing for war. When the fighting started, they suffered immensely for their lack of understanding, insight and foresight and their civilian population paid a heavy price. They were killed like flies and their women and children were raped and enslaved.

Today, things of such are being perpetrated in this country. There was a report of Ex- Niger Delta militant, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo of purchasing seven decommissioned Norwegian battleships during the administration of Doctor Goodluck Jonathan which was said to have been re-armed with new weaponry (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/182368-norway-regrets-selling-warships-to-ex-niger-delta-militant-tompolo.html). Till today, no one is talking about this anymore. It has gone under the carpet. But the question we keep asking is,“what will a militant do with the seven war ships when Nigeria is not at war?

Apart from that, since the end of the civil war between Biafra and Nigeria on January 15th 1970, the people have never for once given in to see the Independence of the Republic of Biafra resurrected. It is well known that only the government of Nigeria has the power to train military personnel in the country and not by one region. But how could a region (Biafra) send 500 military personnel to the State of Israel since 2014 to be trained as Pilots and Engineers and for what purpose (https://www.nairaland.com/1531962/biafran-zionist-movement-sends-500)? It would sound ridiculous for every right thinking person. There was also a promise made by the American President elect, Donald Trump at his presidential rally to the Biafra flag waiving man,“If the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration” Trump reaffirmed.

Not only that, for quite some time, there have been numerous cases of Serbian-like people in Nigeria involved in arm smuggling and these cases were widely reported in the media but no action was taken. Started from 2010, the Punch Newspaper reported the arrest of Five (5) Pastors “for operating an Illegal Military outfit” in Lagos, with their photographs published on page 11 of the Wednesday edition, 10th March, 2010.

There were also report on the arrest CAN Military operatives by the police “for operating illegal security outfit” in Jalingo, Taraba State. Those arrested included Reverend Chaplain ShehuYakubu, a retired customs officer, Sunday Silas a retired SSS officer, Sulaiman Audu, a retired ASP, Y. Winew, a retired ASP, Isma’ila Makaniki and many others. This was reported by the Daily Trust Newspaper of Saturday, 2nd November, 2013 at page 10.

In Lagos, the Saturday Sun newspaper of 10th March, 2012, at page 10, reported that 11 cartons of explosives imported from SouthAfrica, which were carefully packaged to beat security checks, were intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos. The huge consignments were for Miero Marble Granite and Stones Ltd, in Kaduna State, withone Mr. Micheal Awara Ernest as the Company representative to collect the explosives at the Cargo terminal. The statement of the Customs Area commandant at the Airport, Mr. Charles EporweiEdike, which was profoundly insightful on the intent and probable consequences of the explosive, fell on the deaf ears of the then SSS. He said “if those items were released, they could have been used to cause mayhem. We are now going to hand him and the items over to the Police for further investigation”. Since the handover, neither the Police nor the Spokes woman of the SSS have said, or done anything on the case and where the explosives are being kept is yet unknown.

There was a BBC news report published by THISDAY Newspaper of Friday, 13th January, 2012 on page 6, on a British arms dealer, Gary Hyde being prosecuted in aLondon court for unlawfully arranging the shipment of about 80,000guns and 32Million rounds of ammunition from China to Nigeria in2007.

According to the release of the supreme council for sharia in Nigeria in December 2013, it was made known that there was a systematic robbery of the armoury of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, the 1st division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Ikeja cantonment involving Christian serving Officers and Generals. A Military inquiry was instituted and many Christian Officers, serving and retired including the Late General Azazi, were indicted, but nothing was done to any of them. More importantly, the arms were nowhere to be found? Not to even talk of former CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor’s involvement in arms smuggling jet caught with $10million in South Africa. The examples are just too numerous to cite and this is how it started in Yugoslavia and Nigeria has been towing the same line.

There were views expressed twenty-two years ago by Yoruba people which are still being re-echoed today. These views are to return to the pre-1996 evolutionary path: a balanced federal structure which recognises fully the legitimate claims of all ethnic groups for self-determination and where no single entity among the federating units will be strong or powerful enough to hold the others to ransom.

The Yoruba in diaspora have been contributing significantly to this development. The leaders of Egbe Omo Yoruba in the United States and Canada, the worldwide Yoruba think- thank organisation, Odua Foundation, with headquarters in the United States and with members in various countries across the world have been intensely busy over the project of Yoruba Nation just like Biafra, Arewa and Niger Delta people. The manner that is similar to pre- Bosnia war.

Though Nigerian Leaders are trying to preserve the unity of the country but in a situation where many have been threatening violence and war; and have been stockpiling dangerous weapons, and making other kinds of war preparations, can the unity of such a country be guaranteed?We just hope that what transpired in Yugoslavia would not replicate itself here, in our dear country, Nigeria.

There is fire on the mountain.
Lukman Solahudeen Ayyubi

I would have credited your write up with high commendation but you failed to point out the fact that the disintegration of Nigeria is ongoing, Boko haram has been fighting a seccesionist war to carve out a caliphate from the Nigerian Federation.

you mention names of southern christian clergymen and Christian soldiers involved in arm smuggle, you went further to speak of how Tompolo "a southern militant" acquired militant Norwegian warships, Biafra and Oduduwa agitation for self determination was also mentioned by you, but you never mentioned Boko haram who has waged a violent insurrectionists campaign against Nigeria just to succeed as a separate entity.

judging from the analysis of your baised writeup we don't need anybody to tell us that your are a sectional northern bigot.