owobokiri:
Because the colonialist empires made sure to hand over power to those African groups that were willing to do their biddings post independence. Don't forget that all these African countries were coupled together by the colonialists, . So the former colonial powers know all the demographic realities and flashpoints in these areas. In other to maintain their legacies post independence, the retiring colonial powers identified willing serfs within these emerging "independent" enclaves and used all means available to empower them.

These "black representatives" are the most vicious proponents of the status quo within the continent since their political relevance largely depends on their abilities to remain in the good books of their western overlords. Essentially, the real independence hasn't happened in Africa yet, because colonialism by proxy is still enforce. This is the same reason why the heinous tales of colonialism and slavery are largely hidden from the young ones since the former colonialists working through their proxies, ensure that such tales won't make it into the school curriculums.

Reflect7:


Very well put..

But there are further questions involved here.

For instance, WHAT THEN can Africans do to correct the colonial boundaries?

Returning to the precolonial ethnic boundaries seems impracticable, and even inadvisable.

Don't forget it was the fragmented nature of African society, with so many isolated, self-contained communities, that made it so easy for the continent to be conquered by outsiders.

Africa needs to either unite as one nation politically, or hold just 3 to 5 large centralized nations, to make it more protected and powerful.

slimfit1:
That's why I am in the same country with a Hausa man. while my brothers in Benin and Togo are speaking Yoruba but we are neighbors instead of one country and one family. These people don't know the amount of damage they caused us as a race.

owobokiri:


Long post:

This idea of a centralized African government is fatally wrong and fraught with a lot of problems. In my view, it's too emotional to be productive. The continent is huge, diverse and the regions are at different levels of political growth. For a state to function effectively under such differences obviously demands a decentralized system of government across board and not a further concentration of power under one spot. Modern states have not failed in Africa. What failed is the fake nature of African states.

If you take a very close look at African conflicts over the years, you will notice that most wars fought in Africa over the last decades of post independence, were/are wars between different segments of different troubled state. For instance, the wars in Nigeria and Uganda, Angola, South Africa, Libya or Sudan and Sierra Leone, were wars that arose between groups contesting for dominant roles in these countries. These were wars that were fought because of the internal frictions emanating from the conflict of interests between different amalgamating units in these countries. Not wars fought between two countries. Infact, there are very few instances of military confrontations between African states but endless examples of intra national strifes exist. Why is this so?

These nations are fake but were cobbled together for the sake of furthering western colonial quest in Africa. At independence, the common bondage, bloodshed and suffering shared by Africans under slavery and colonialism, gave lots of black people the impression that we can easily work together in huge collective units, irrespective of the differences associated with ethnicities, culture etc. This encouraged an exotic definition of "Pan Africanism" that never materialized. It didn't work out well because it didn't take time before politically privileged groups within these countries tried imposing thier will over others. This led to resentments and clashes, in the process making these countries extremely vulnerable to foreign manipulations.

What we need to do is to start having some sort of "national conferences" on regional basis seriously supported by the African Union. By "national conference", I mean an honest gathering of member ethnic groups in that region to discuss on the kind of states they want., the nature of government they need, the groups that wish to join who and who based on geographical realities and cultural understanding existing already to form a union.., those that want to be alone based on size and culture,.. I think it's foundamentally important now to make sure that ethnic groups that become members of any given African country, did so out of their own volition. Forcing groups into these European colonies against their will, leads to situations where the emotional connection between the people and their country evaporates.

In West Africa, this might lead to more fragmentations because of unhealthy relationships between different ethnic groups post independence. But in East and Southern Africa, the opposite might be the case, because at this moment, most East Africans actually want closer union with each other. Swahili as a common language has helped to cement things..
With "regions" , I mean the traditional sub regions in the continent: East, West, Central, Southern and North Africa..

Reflect7:


Very well put..

But there are further questions involved here.

For instance, WHAT THEN can Africans do to correct the colonial boundaries?

Returning to the precolonial ethnic boundaries seems impracticable, and even inadvisable.

Don't forget it was the fragmented nature of African society, with so many isolated, self-contained communities, that made it so easy for the continent to be conquered by outsiders.

Africa needs to either unite as one nation politically, or hold just 3 to 5 large centralized nations, to make it more protected and powerful.

owobokiri:


Long post:

This idea of a centralized African government is fatally wrong and fraught with a lot of problems. In my view, it's too emotional to be productive. The continent is huge, diverse and the regions are at different levels of political growth. For a state to function effectively under such differences obviously demands a decentralized system of government across board and not a further concentration of power under one spot. Modern states have not failed in Africa. What failed is the fake nature of African states.

If you take a very close look at African conflicts over the years, you will notice that most wars fought in Africa over the last decades of post independence, were/are wars between different segments of different troubled state. For instance, the wars in Nigeria and Uganda, Angola, South Africa, Libya or Sudan and Sierra Leone, were wars that arose between groups contesting for dominant roles in these countries. These were wars that were fought because of the internal frictions emanating from the conflict of interests between different amalgamating units in these countries. Not wars fought between two countries. Infact, there are very few instances of military confrontations between African states but endless examples of intra national strifes exist. Why is this so?

These nations are fake but were cobbled together for the sake of furthering western colonial quest in Africa. At independence, the common bondage, bloodshed and suffering shared by Africans under slavery and colonialism, gave lots of black people the impression that we can easily work together in huge collective units, irrespective of the differences associated with ethnicities, culture etc. This encouraged an exotic definition of "Pan Africanism" that never materialized. It didn't work out well because it didn't take time before politically privileged groups within these countries tried imposing thier will over others. This led to resentments and clashes, in the process making these countries extremely vulnerable to foreign manipulations.

What we need to do is to start having some sort of "national conferences" on regional basis seriously supported by the African Union. By "national conference", I mean an honest gathering of member ethnic groups in that region to discuss on the kind of states they want., the nature of government they need, the groups that wish to join who and who based on geographical realities and cultural understanding existing already to form a union.., those that want to be alone based on size and culture,.. I think it's foundamentally important now to make sure that ethnic groups that become members of any given African country, did so out of their own volition. Forcing groups into these European colonies against their will, leads to situations where the emotional connection between the people and their country evaporates.

In West Africa, this might lead to more fragmentations because of unhealthy relationships between different ethnic groups post independence. But in East and Southern Africa, the opposite might be the case, because at this moment, most East Africans actually want closer union with each other. Swahili as a common language has helped to cement things..
With "regions" , I mean the traditional sub regions in the continent: East, West, Central, Southern and North Africa..

Uchek:
But you had the chance to solve the wicked consequence of theBerlin Conference in 1967 when Igbo seceeded from Nigeria. Sadly, your Yoruba kinsmen fought against that chance.

ScamHunter:

The Berlin Conference 1884. (The Scramble For Africa) With the support from the British, and the initiative of Portugal, Otto von Bismarck, (The first German Chancellor ), called on representatives of Austria–Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia,Spain, Sweden-Norway (union until 1905) and The Ottoman Empire, to take part in the Berlin Conference to work out policy regarding Africa. Its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, can be seen as the formalisation of the Scramble for Africa. The conference ushered in a period of heightened colonial activity by European powers, while simultaneously eliminating most existing forms of African autonomy and self-governance.

Before the conference, the competition in Africa was so fierce, that European countries feared war amongst themselves. To prevent conflict 14 Europeans nations met at this conference. To lay down rules for the division of Africa. These European countries divided the Continent with little thought about how the African ethnic and linguistic groups were distributed .

As the “scramble” for the continent’s riches got underway…..haggling…...and partitioning the African map. I have to make it clear that AFRICAN LEADERS WERE NOT INVITED TO THE MEETINGS REGARDING AFRICA’S FATE!!!!

This conference represented the Bismarckian “Curse of Berlin” on Africa.


https://joliba-africa.com/2013/01/26/the-berlin-conference-1884/

Reflect7:


Africa needs no more than 3 to 5 nations instead of 54, to become a strong, independent continent. West Africans have no choice but to adopt the East African mindset of unification. Nigeria alone has over 400 language groups. If these groupings are too stupid to understand that their strength lies in numbers and unity, rather than ethnic hate, balkanisation and splintering, they may end up getting recolonised and enslaved by the west, even as the rest of Africa moves forward.

joyandfaith:


There would be another 'Berlin conference ' where Africa would be repartitioned. Russia and China would join Europe in doing that.
African leaders are not ready.
Sovereign is not given but taken. Most African nations are not truly independent. We didn't fight for independent. Ukraine is fighting for war of independence presently.

MindHacker9009:


They wanted others people's region that was why they lost.

Uchek:
Which other peoples region did they want? List the regions and the time they wanted other people's region?

owobokiri:


Nigeria is not working,.. that's the uncomfortable reality. You create states to make them work for the people and not to have some sexy glamorized edifices that make sense in terms of size but totally useless in terms of their positive effects on the people. What matters is the efficacy of the state.., the people matter more than the states. Essentially, states should be formed ONLY where such states can prove very effective in improving the living standards of the people and not just to have the big states for the bragging rights. Nigeria, obviously doesn't foot that bill.., but Algeria or South Africa are pushing hard to be seen as good examples of big states in Africa that are working for their people.

So states in Africa should be created based on how viable they can be and NOT based on how big they may look. Singapore, Norway and Sweden may not be up to the population of Lagos even when combined, but these countries are economically, militarily and diplomatically stronger than a wobbling giant like Nigeria. This is because those countries work but Nigeria doesn't. Two of them (Norway and Sweden) are nation states while Singapore is a multi nation state, whose national culture has been moulded based on the cultural template/platform set by the dominant Chinese Han ethnic group. But this is possible in Singapore because of two factors:
1) The Chinese quantity in the Singaporean population is the majority and
2) The Chinese population were able to provide a modern and very purposeful leadership that is now responsible for transforming the tiny island from a basket case in the 60s into a "first world economy" in just a generation!

In Nigeria, the Hausa language is the most widely spoken language across ethnicities. The Hausa Fulani, just like the Han in China, Singapore or Taiwan, are the most politically dominant as we speak. Hausa language is spoken in many parts of West and Central Africa too..., in over six to seven countries! Just as the Han language helped to bridge the gap between cultures in some parts of south east Asia and made nations work, the Hausa language could have been a bridge building instrument for several West African cultures, especially in the northern parts of West Africa. But that is not the case because you can not give what you don't have. Hausa-Fulani elites have their loyalties all over the place. Some bow to Saudi Arabia, few bow to Africa while the rest bow to London and Washington! That's a recipe for disaster. Under such realities, you can't force folks to model their states like the Singaporeans or the Chinese, unless you are willing to use maximum force to do so. Rather, it will be far better to look at the nation - States of Europe as a possible example. People of the same cultural affinities coming together to form workable unions for themselves.

ScamHunter:

I have the feeling that this is one of the reasons why no race respects Africans and blacks. Imagine travelling and flashing your passport. In their minds they'd think "...they couldn't even form countries without being colonized". Could also be the reason why Africa, the most endowed continent continues to be home to the poorest people on earth.

Quintopia:


Your first statement is false, and hence the rest of your post is based on a faulty foundation.

What do you mean by ''Nigeria is not working'?

That is simply your personal opinion and is not based on fact or reality.

Nations do not just rise and succeed and grow without any problems or challenges.

Go and read the histories of all the countries you see ''working'' today.

Their histories are written in blood, sweat, tears, disagreements, conflicts, and other woes, from which they emerged and became strong nations.

Nigeria's challenges are not insurmountable. Not even close.

Today you complain about Fulani herdsmen, boko haram etc, whose combined atrocities may have led to maybe 100,000 deaths in the last decade.

Can you compare that to what Russians experienced under Stalin, whose dictatorship caused the death of over 10 million Russians?

What about Germany under Hitler? 10 million dead, and their major cities like Hamburg, Cologne, Dresden and Berlin bombed to ashes.

Or what about what South Africa went through during apartheid?

What about the USA itself that endured a bloody civil war, slavery, and civil rights upheavals?

China that you mentioned, their history is soaked in the blood of millions of Chinese dissidents, killed and tortured for opposing the brutal dictatorship there, and its communist policies.

Yet they all survived these tragedies, and proceeded to excel as nations, so why can YOU not overcome a few illiterate Fulani herdsmen instead of destroying and balkanizing your country?

ScamHunter:
The Berlin Conference 1884. (The Scramble For Africa) With the support from the British, and the initiative of Portugal, Otto von Bismarck, (The first German Chancellor ), called on representatives of Austria–Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia,Spain, Sweden-Norway (union until 1905) and The Ottoman Empire, to take part in the Berlin Conference to work out policy regarding Africa. Its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, can be seen as the formalisation of the Scramble for Africa. The conference ushered in a period of heightened colonial activity by European powers, while simultaneously eliminating most existing forms of African autonomy and self-governance.

Before the conference, the competition in Africa was so fierce, that European countries feared war amongst themselves. To prevent conflict 14 Europeans nations met at this conference. To lay down rules for the division of Africa. These European countries divided the Continent with little thought about how the African ethnic and linguistic groups were distributed .

As the “scramble” for the continent’s riches got underway…..haggling…...and partitioning the African map. I have to make it clear that AFRICAN LEADERS WERE NOT INVITED TO THE MEETINGS REGARDING AFRICA’S FATE!!!!

This conference represented the Bismarckian “Curse of Berlin” on Africa.


https://joliba-africa.com/2013/01/26/the-berlin-conference-1884/

I have the feeling that this is one of the reasons why no race respects Africans and blacks. Imagine travelling and flashing your passport. In their minds they'd think "...they couldn't even form countries without being colonized". Could also be the reason why Africa, the most endowed continent continues to be home to the poorest people on earth.

DMerciful:
These countries were not forced to be countries by external amalgamation.

There's no cultural or aspirational similarities between the Igbos and the Hausas and as such shouldn't be in the same country. The Hausa-Fulanis should have been almagamated with Niger.

Nigeria is not working because we hate each other and we make no pretense about it

Quintopia:


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/07/rejected-biafra-5-igbo-states-nnamdi-kanu/

Quintopia:


They were ALL forced to be countries by EXTERNAL forces. China was not always one nation. She was divided into multiple states and it was people who were foreign to each of those states who came in and forced them to be part of the China project, through war, blackmail and brigandage.

South Africa was forced and amalgamated to become one nation by its foreign colonizers.

The British were forced into existence through numerous wars and invasions.



NO no no no no. ''WE'' don't hate each other.

YOU hate Nigerians.

Nigerians don't hate you.

11 million Igbos, according to Ohaneze, live and work in northern Nigeria, unmolested, unharrassed, and uninterrupted by the Hausa and Fulani majority there.

From that region, Igbos extract trillions of naira yearly in trade profits, with which they enrich their Eastern homeland with multiple mansions, hotels and edifices.

Another 10 million Igbos live and work in the west and middle belt peacefully, and they prosper and intermarry and do anythng they like in those places without harassment.

So Nigerians don't hate you.

It is you who hates Nigerians, the same Nigerians you prosper by, and you need to learn to unhate, and quit being evil, and quit plotting selfishly and greedily to secede with the Niger Delta oil and gas resources which the entire country relies on for its growth and prosperity.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/07/rejected-biafra-5-igbo-states-nnamdi-kanu/

ResidentSnitch:

This is your response to what he asked regarding the civil war of over 50 years?
You should not wait to be told that you're not very smart.

DMerciful:
Are the Niger Delta people treated fairly?

I repeat we hate each other, denial helps no one. Igbos working in other parts of Nigeria is because they have the right to do so as Nigerians.

All states should be productive and not depend on Niger Delta for survival because without colonial masters, they wouldn't be depending on people hundreds of km away!

Uchek:
But you had the chance to solve the wicked consequence of theBerlin Conference in 1967 when Igbo seceeded from Nigeria. Sadly, your Yoruba kinsmen fought against that chance.

ednut1:
Fight them na. And see how they will use bombs and sabotage to finish us. The romans controlled most of the world at a point, their overseas territories obeyed till the empire collapsed. We go wait till the western powers have become weak. They already have a low and dying population, their civilization is dying small small. Be patient

Quintopia:


What is your business with them? Did they complain to you? Face your own side and stop poke nosing in other's people's business.



BULLSHIIT. YOU HAVE NO 'RIGHT' TO BE AMONG PEOPLE YOU HATE AND DESPISE.

SINCE YOU HATE THE NORTHERNERS, GET OUT FROM THEIR LAND AND RETURN TO YOUR LAND.

YOU CANNOT FALL BACK ON THE SAME ''RIGHT AS A NIGERIAN'' AFTER YOU'VE ALREADY SPAT ON NIGERIA, DISMISSED HER AS A 'ZOO', AND CALLED FOR HER DISSOLUTION.

SO WHAT ARE YOU NOW TALKING ABOUT YOUR ''RIGHT AS A NIGERIAN''?

WHAT RIGHT?

YOU CANNOT EAT YOUR CAKE AND HAVE IT.



TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE. ASK YOUR 11 MILLION IGBOS TO LEAVE THE NORTH, PLUS THE 10 MILLON IGBOS TO LEAVE THE WEST, AND GO BACK HOME AND DEVELOP IGBOLAND.

AFTER ALL YOU WOULDN'T BE IN THOSE PLACES AND DEPENDING ON THEM FOR YOUR SURVIVAL WITHOUT THE COLONIAL AMALGAMATION.