Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba Must Surrender Ethnic Identities To Nigeria By Fredrick Nwabufo
We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

BY FREDRICK NWABUFOMAR 06, 2021

Genocides or mass killings do not just happen. They are usually harbingered by conspiracy theories of ethnic and religious complexions, sentiments, skewed perceptions and assumptions. Are all these ingredients of doom present in today’s Nigeria? Yes, very much so. But it is for this reason that we must not take a day off in pulling our country out of the precipice.


The Rwanda genocide is a familiar example but of which precedent Africans and Nigerians particularly, have refused to learn from. A smorgasbord of the precipitations of the Rwanda genocide bubbles in our country. The cauldron boils, and we are skating soberly into molten magma.

RECONCILIATION

In about 25 years after the genocide, Rwanda has been able to rebuild itself into the lodestar of Africa. It may not be a perfect country yet, but it is a fine example of how ethnic cleavages can be managed by deliberate government interventions.

Rwanda did not ignore or try to blot out the genocide from its history. It embraced its past shining a light into the present from the ruins of a never-to-be forgotten era. The East African country acknowledges till date that sombre episode and holds an annual event in memory of those lost to the violence.

Fredrick Nwabufo

To pour oil on troubled waters and permanently submerge the vestiges of ethnic conflicts, Rwanda launched a robust reconciliation programme and retooled the Rwandan Identity. Being Rwandan was no longer on the basis of whether you are Hutu or Tutsi.

Let me share a note by the UN on the Rwandan reconciliation effort:

‘’The reconciliation process in Rwanda focuses on reconstructing the Rwandan identity, as well as balancing justice, truth and peace and security in the country. Different measures have been taken by the Rwandan government towards achieving the goal of perpetrators and victims living side by side in peace. For example, the Constitution now states that all Rwandans share equal rights. And laws have been passed to fight discrimination and divisive genocide ideology.
Primary responsibility for reconciliation efforts in Rwanda rests with the National Unity and
Reconciliation Commission.’’

Would I be asking for too much if I request that the government make conscious effort at reconciling all Nigerian groups through intended policies – even if it means setting up a Unity Commission with pragmatic targets? I must say, as of now there is no wilful policy or programme by the government to manage our unity.

You cannot seek to suppress epochal outcomes of the past, whether they are negative or positive, in the life of a people and expect to manufacture congenial relationships. When there is suppression, there is resistance. Whatever you seek to suppress will always be given oomph from the underground.

The little annoyances that effectuated the Nigeria-Biafra civil war are still very much a concern. They remain unaddressed largely because a succession of leaderships did not want to walk the wire for Nigerians or take a middle-of-the-road approach to governance. We have had leaderships, with the exception of the Obasanjo administration, who put their ethnic and religious interests at the centre of governance.

We need to address the issue of ‘’ethnic origin and identity?’’ Am I a Nigerian because I am Igbo? Or Am I a Nigerian by virtue of my birth and allegiance to my country? The truth is most ‘’citizens’’ submit to their ethnic nationalities rather than to Nigeria. They derive their identity not from Nigeria but from their ethnic stock. It is the reason some of them can unleash violence on other citizens of different ethnic spectrum if they perceive their ‘’own’’ is violated.

We need to build a Nigerian identity. All ethnic nationalities must surrender their individual identities to a Nigerian identity. Like it is in Rwanda, it can happen in our country.

We must be deliberate about managing our diversity. This is where the leadership is remiss. There is no calculated policy to harmonise ethnic divergences and sensitivities; understand this chasm and forge a strong bridge across all lines.

The recent blockade of food supplies to the south should prick us to reflect on the unhinged compassing of our nation. We are on a delicate bend. Nigeria needs men and women who will rise to the responsibility of leadership and steer it ashore -- statesmen and nationalists – men and women who have conquered the lure of ethnic and religious cravings.

I understand the intervention of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, saved the situation – of what could have snowballed into an ethnic tit-for-tat. Though I learnt another governor was furious with him for intervening in the matter. According to my sources, the obverse governor told Bello that the ‘’south should be allowed to suffer’’.

Really, there are people in high places who live off Nigeria’s ethnic contours. We should starve them of this meal.

We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

We need leadership.

May Nigeria succeed.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

http://saharareporters.com/2021/03/06/igbo-hausa-yoruba-must-surrender-ethnic-identities-nigeria-fredrick-nwabufo

The most Stupid first paragraph I ever read, don't care about reading the Rest, why haven't the English man or Scottish given his Identity to UK.

IPOBTERRORISTS:


http://saharareporters.com/2021/03/06/igbo-hausa-yoruba-must-surrender-ethnic-identities-nigeria-fredrick-nwabufo

You can't be rigging election by importing voters from Mali and expect anyone to trust Nigeria. You have made Nigeria an untrustworthy entity.

AlexBells:
The most Stupid first paragraph I ever read, don't care about reading the Rest, why haven't the English man or Scottish given his Identity to UK.

IPOB terrorists

Tell that to Yoruba people and their one Nigeria apologists
Honestly the writer have a point.. only that Nigeria is sick.. and the sickness is unto death.

Restructuring would have save this country.. but nepotistic and tribalistic nature of nigeria nations ain’t helping.

Better we allow the country die in peace .. we come together bury it and wish each other the best as we all depart to our tents

Nigeria can’t and won’t work. Is a matter of time.

[s]

IPOBTERRORISTS:
Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba Must Surrender Ethnic Identities To Nigeria By Fredrick Nwabufo
We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

BY FREDRICK NWABUFOMAR 06, 2021

Genocides or mass killings do not just happen. They are usually harbingered by conspiracy theories of ethnic and religious complexions, sentiments, skewed perceptions and assumptions. Are all these ingredients of doom present in today’s Nigeria? Yes, very much so. But it is for this reason that we must not take a day off in pulling our country out of the precipice.


The Rwanda genocide is a familiar example but of which precedent Africans and Nigerians particularly, have refused to learn from. A smorgasbord of the precipitations of the Rwanda genocide bubbles in our country. The cauldron boils, and we are skating soberly into molten magma.

RECONCILIATION

In about 25 years after the genocide, Rwanda has been able to rebuild itself into the lodestar of Africa. It may not be a perfect country yet, but it is a fine example of how ethnic cleavages can be managed by deliberate government interventions.

Rwanda did not ignore or try to blot out the genocide from its history. It embraced its past shining a light into the present from the ruins of a never-to-be forgotten era. The East African country acknowledges till date that sombre episode and holds an annual event in memory of those lost to the violence.

Fredrick Nwabufo

To pour oil on troubled waters and permanently submerge the vestiges of ethnic conflicts, Rwanda launched a robust reconciliation programme and retooled the Rwandan Identity. Being Rwandan was no longer on the basis of whether you are Hutu or Tutsi.

Let me share a note by the UN on the Rwandan reconciliation effort:

‘’The reconciliation process in Rwanda focuses on reconstructing the Rwandan identity, as well as balancing justice, truth and peace and security in the country. Different measures have been taken by the Rwandan government towards achieving the goal of perpetrators and victims living side by side in peace. For example, the Constitution now states that all Rwandans share equal rights. And laws have been passed to fight discrimination and divisive genocide ideology.
Primary responsibility for reconciliation efforts in Rwanda rests with the National Unity and
Reconciliation Commission.’’

Would I be asking for too much if I request that the government make conscious effort at reconciling all Nigerian groups through intended policies – even if it means setting up a Unity Commission with pragmatic targets? I must say, as of now there is no wilful policy or programme by the government to manage our unity.

You cannot seek to suppress epochal outcomes of the past, whether they are negative or positive, in the life of a people and expect to manufacture congenial relationships. When there is suppression, there is resistance. Whatever you seek to suppress will always be given oomph from the underground.

The little annoyances that effectuated the Nigeria-Biafra civil war are still very much a concern. They remain unaddressed largely because a succession of leaderships did not want to walk the wire for Nigerians or take a middle-of-the-road approach to governance. We have had leaderships, with the exception of the Obasanjo administration, who put their ethnic and religious interests at the centre of governance.

We need to address the issue of ‘’ethnic origin and identity?’’ Am I a Nigerian because I am Igbo? Or Am I a Nigerian by virtue of my birth and allegiance to my country? The truth is most ‘’citizens’’ submit to their ethnic nationalities rather than to Nigeria. They derive their identity not from Nigeria but from their ethnic stock. It is the reason some of them can unleash violence on other citizens of different ethnic spectrum if they perceive their ‘’own’’ is violated.

We need to build a Nigerian identity. All ethnic nationalities must surrender their individual identities to a Nigerian identity. Like it is in Rwanda, it can happen in our country.

We must be deliberate about managing our diversity. This is where the leadership is remiss. There is no calculated policy to harmonise ethnic divergences and sensitivities; understand this chasm and forge a strong bridge across all lines.

The recent blockade of food supplies to the south should prick us to reflect on the unhinged compassing of our nation. We are on a delicate bend. Nigeria needs men and women who will rise to the responsibility of leadership and steer it ashore -- statesmen and nationalists – men and women who have conquered the lure of ethnic and religious cravings.

I understand the intervention of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, saved the situation – of what could have snowballed into an ethnic tit-for-tat. Though I learnt another governor was furious with him for intervening in the matter. According to my sources, the obverse governor told Bello that the ‘’south should be allowed to suffer’’.

Really, there are people in high places who live off Nigeria’s ethnic contours. We should starve them of this meal.

We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

We need leadership.

May Nigeria succeed.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

http://saharareporters.com/2021/03/06/igbo-hausa-yoruba-must-surrender-ethnic-identities-nigeria-fredrick-nwabufo

[/s]

Rubbish

Not in Nigeria where migrated minority tribe believes they are superior to others upon the fact that they contribute nothing to the economy but live fat on others wealth.

IPOBTERRORISTS:
IPOB terrorists

I did not be a member of IPOB when I wanted to Register, they said I'm too Igbocentric, they said I have Nzeogwu's Mind, They said I had Ojukwu's Charisma, They said I had Ziks Oratory, how I wish IPOB was only for Igbos, I don't mind doing some real Action to Join but still I'm very much in respect with IPOB, but unfortunately I couldn't get In. No apologies, you can face the Lagoon or keep heading towards the Sahara Desert, Nigeria belongs to the Igbos and nothing you can do this time.

Ab@ki and their cow brain
I'm for yoruba nation, i stand with yoruba nation and my loyalty is to yoruba nation

AlexBells:
The most Stupid first paragraph I ever read, don't care about reading the Rest, why haven't the English man or Scottish given his Identity to UK.

Abi God in his wisdom created us in different variations,ethnicities and clans so why should Ibos,Yoruba and Hausa give up their identities for British creation called Nigeria.

Maybe he needs brown envelope from the fulani govt.

cocolacec:


Abi God in his wisdom created us in different variations,ethnicities and clans so why should Ibos,Yoruba and Hausa give up their identities for British creation called Nigeria.

Maybe he needs brown envelope from the fulani govt.

First of all you are not Igbo, becuase if you are Igbo you won't right Ibo but that a little sin, you are already forgiven now back to the topic not only is Nigeria Artificial but the true constitution of the Nigerian state are the very original humans, now you want us to give all that up becuase of a country that only have international passport and some international recognition, seriously is Nigeria a country, Nigeria is more like a union,

AlexBells:

I did not be a member of IPOB when I wanted to Register, they said I'm too Igbocentric, they said I have Nzeogwu's Mind, They said I had Ojukwu's Charisma, They said I had Ziks Oratory, how I wish IPOB was only for Igbos, I don't mind doing some real Action to Join but still I'm very much in respect with IPOB, but unfortunately I couldn't get In. No apologies, you can face the Lagoon or keep heading towards the Sahara Desert, Nigeria belongs to the Igbos and nothing you can do this time.

I already like you.

So long as you can not drink beer in the North, forget about it.

IPOBTERRORISTS:
I already like you.

If you are not Igbo, I see a greek gift in your likeness, the type you liked Ironsi until you invited him to Lagos and murdered him, Igboland had always been the most secured part of the country, and Today once again it will succeed in the North and West but fail in the East (AlaIgbo)

Another "we must unite for a greater Nigeria" nonsense I have heard all my life

AlexBells:

If you are not Igbo, I see a greek gift in your likeness, the type you liked Ironsi until you invited him to Lagos and murdered him, Igboland had always been the most secured part of the country, and Today once again it will succeed in the North and West but fail in the East (AlaIgbo)

I'm igbo. Lamidi cownu and my mechanic's spear part dealer are blood brothers

IPOBTERRORISTS:
I'm igbo. Lamidi cownu and my mechanic's spear part dealer are blood brothers

You are Yoruba and I have one truth to tell you, Fajuyi did not agree to follow Ironsi to his death, Fajuyi was assassinated as much as Ironsi, they needed to take Lagos so Fajuyi was in the death list, how do you handle this revelation, truth might stay low for long but when it comes out it is always worth, Yakubu Gowon is still alive go find the truth

Yoruba1stson:
Ab@ki and their cow brain
I'm for yoruba nation, i stand with yoruba nation and my loyalty is to yoruba nation

the bleat of distant horns. Hiss Hiss

All hail me, the future of Nigeria.

I knew this was your intention, you think na everyone be mumu.

Illiterates has taken over this platform

Beware Nigerians. This is the time to know and understand the true identity of those who cause tribalism on here, they are paid agents, they are neither from east or west, some are not Nigerian. They have more than twenty monikers, they would create tribal related topics and make tribal comments with different monikers to cause chaos between southerners. Though, they have no conscience but you can try to educate them or better ignore them. They are easy to identify, use your head brothers.
They dominate this platform. They are evil and restless until their aim is achieved

AlexBells:

You are Yoruba and I have one truth to tell you, Fajuyi did not agree to follow Ironsi to his death, Fajuyi was assassinated as much as Ironsi, they needed to take Lagos so Fajuyi was in the death list, how do you handle this revelation, truth might stay low for long but when it comes out it is always worth, Yakubu Gowon is still alive go find the truth

SoBright101:
I knew this was your intention, you think na everyone be mumu.

Illiterates has taken over this platform

Beware Nigerians. This is the time to know and understand the true identity of those who cause tribalism on here, they are paid agents, they are neither from east or west, some are not Nigerian. They have more than twenty monikers, they would create tribal related topics and make tribal comments with different monikers to cause chaos between southerners. Though, they have no conscience but you can try to educate them or better ignore them. They are easy to identify, use your head brothers.
They dominate this platform. They are evil and restless until their aim is achieved

I will take that as you saying more grass to my cows, which literally means more grease to my elbow

Foolish writeup..

We should surrender our identities so that an Igbo from Abia or Enugu will claim right to govern in Ogun, Lagos etc. just like Azikiwe did trying to become Premier over Yorubas in Yorubaland.

It's only an Igbo person that will make such statements because most have lost their identities and culture by roaming about and running from their own region. They attempted the nonsense "no mans land" rhetoric they did in Lagos in Abuja but didn't succeed. The Hausas and Gwaris dealt seriously with them and they kept mute till date

I am an omoluabi first before any.. God bless all Odua sons and daughters worldwide.

Only people like you would fall for your gimmick

I don't know what the topic has to do with your statements.

Illiterates has taken over this platform

Beware Nigerians. This is the time to know and understand the true identity of those who cause tribalism on here, they are paid agents, they are neither from east or west, some are not Nigerian. They have more than twenty monikers, they would create tribal related topics and make tribal comments with different monikers to cause chaos between southerners. Though, they have no conscience but you can try to educate them or better ignore them. They are easy to identify, use your head brothers.
They dominate this platform. They are evil and restless until their aim is achieved

flokii:
Foolish writeup..

We should surrender our identities so that an Igbo from Abia or Enugu will claim right to govern in Ogun, Lagos etc. just like Azikiwe did trying to become Premier over Yorubas in Yorubaland.

It's only an Igbo person that will make such statements because most have lost their identities and culture by roaming about and running from their own region. They attempted the nonsense "no mans land" rhetoric they did in Lagos in Abuja but didn't succeed. The Hausas and Gwaris dealt seriously with them and they kept mute till date

I am an omoluabi first before any.. God bless all Odua sons and daughters worldwide.

It is impossible. Before you become a Nigerian you must be either hausa, igbo, yoruba ,edo etc. We can never lose our identity.

As Igbo guy,am not a Nigerian.

the most dumbest post i ever read.. this post need better panel-beating..

[s]

IPOBTERRORISTS:
Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba Must Surrender Ethnic Identities To Nigeria By Fredrick Nwabufo
We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

BY FREDRICK NWABUFOMAR 06, 2021

Genocides or mass killings do not just happen. They are usually harbingered by conspiracy theories of ethnic and religious complexions, sentiments, skewed perceptions and assumptions. Are all these ingredients of doom present in today’s Nigeria? Yes, very much so. But it is for this reason that we must not take a day off in pulling our country out of the precipice.


The Rwanda genocide is a familiar example but of which precedent Africans and Nigerians particularly, have refused to learn from. A smorgasbord of the precipitations of the Rwanda genocide bubbles in our country. The cauldron boils, and we are skating soberly into molten magma.

RECONCILIATION

In about 25 years after the genocide, Rwanda has been able to rebuild itself into the lodestar of Africa. It may not be a perfect country yet, but it is a fine example of how ethnic cleavages can be managed by deliberate government interventions.

Rwanda did not ignore or try to blot out the genocide from its history. It embraced its past shining a light into the present from the ruins of a never-to-be forgotten era. The East African country acknowledges till date that sombre episode and holds an annual event in memory of those lost to the violence.

Fredrick Nwabufo

To pour oil on troubled waters and permanently submerge the vestiges of ethnic conflicts, Rwanda launched a robust reconciliation programme and retooled the Rwandan Identity. Being Rwandan was no longer on the basis of whether you are Hutu or Tutsi.

Let me share a note by the UN on the Rwandan reconciliation effort:

‘’The reconciliation process in Rwanda focuses on reconstructing the Rwandan identity, as well as balancing justice, truth and peace and security in the country. Different measures have been taken by the Rwandan government towards achieving the goal of perpetrators and victims living side by side in peace. For example, the Constitution now states that all Rwandans share equal rights. And laws have been passed to fight discrimination and divisive genocide ideology.
Primary responsibility for reconciliation efforts in Rwanda rests with the National Unity and
Reconciliation Commission.’’

Would I be asking for too much if I request that the government make conscious effort at reconciling all Nigerian groups through intended policies – even if it means setting up a Unity Commission with pragmatic targets? I must say, as of now there is no wilful policy or programme by the government to manage our unity.

You cannot seek to suppress epochal outcomes of the past, whether they are negative or positive, in the life of a people and expect to manufacture congenial relationships. When there is suppression, there is resistance. Whatever you seek to suppress will always be given oomph from the underground.

The little annoyances that effectuated the Nigeria-Biafra civil war are still very much a concern. They remain unaddressed largely because a succession of leaderships did not want to walk the wire for Nigerians or take a middle-of-the-road approach to governance. We have had leaderships, with the exception of the Obasanjo administration, who put their ethnic and religious interests at the centre of governance.

We need to address the issue of ‘’ethnic origin and identity?’’ Am I a Nigerian because I am Igbo? Or Am I a Nigerian by virtue of my birth and allegiance to my country? The truth is most ‘’citizens’’ submit to their ethnic nationalities rather than to Nigeria. They derive their identity not from Nigeria but from their ethnic stock. It is the reason some of them can unleash violence on other citizens of different ethnic spectrum if they perceive their ‘’own’’ is violated.

We need to build a Nigerian identity. All ethnic nationalities must surrender their individual identities to a Nigerian identity. Like it is in Rwanda, it can happen in our country.

We must be deliberate about managing our diversity. This is where the leadership is remiss. There is no calculated policy to harmonise ethnic divergences and sensitivities; understand this chasm and forge a strong bridge across all lines.

The recent blockade of food supplies to the south should prick us to reflect on the unhinged compassing of our nation. We are on a delicate bend. Nigeria needs men and women who will rise to the responsibility of leadership and steer it ashore -- statesmen and nationalists – men and women who have conquered the lure of ethnic and religious cravings.

I understand the intervention of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, saved the situation – of what could have snowballed into an ethnic tit-for-tat. Though I learnt another governor was furious with him for intervening in the matter. According to my sources, the obverse governor told Bello that the ‘’south should be allowed to suffer’’.

Really, there are people in high places who live off Nigeria’s ethnic contours. We should starve them of this meal.

We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

We need leadership.

May Nigeria succeed.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

http://saharareporters.com/2021/03/06/igbo-hausa-yoruba-must-surrender-ethnic-identities-nigeria-fredrick-nwabufo

[/s]

[img]https://media1./images/d52c1c9c3d95e7ff6262be3958386be6/tenor.gif?itemid=20598355[/img]

IPOBTERRORISTS:
Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba Must Surrender Ethnic Identities To Nigeria By Fredrick Nwabufo
We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

BY FREDRICK NWABUFOMAR 06, 2021

Genocides or mass killings do not just happen. They are usually harbingered by conspiracy theories of ethnic and religious complexions, sentiments, skewed perceptions and assumptions. Are all these ingredients of doom present in today’s Nigeria? Yes, very much so. But it is for this reason that we must not take a day off in pulling our country out of the precipice.


The Rwanda genocide is a familiar example but of which precedent Africans and Nigerians particularly, have refused to learn from. A smorgasbord of the precipitations of the Rwanda genocide bubbles in our country. The cauldron boils, and we are skating soberly into molten magma.

RECONCILIATION

In about 25 years after the genocide, Rwanda has been able to rebuild itself into the lodestar of Africa. It may not be a perfect country yet, but it is a fine example of how ethnic cleavages can be managed by deliberate government interventions.

Rwanda did not ignore or try to blot out the genocide from its history. It embraced its past shining a light into the present from the ruins of a never-to-be forgotten era. The East African country acknowledges till date that sombre episode and holds an annual event in memory of those lost to the violence.

Fredrick Nwabufo

To pour oil on troubled waters and permanently submerge the vestiges of ethnic conflicts, Rwanda launched a robust reconciliation programme and retooled the Rwandan Identity. Being Rwandan was no longer on the basis of whether you are Hutu or Tutsi.

Let me share a note by the UN on the Rwandan reconciliation effort:

‘’The reconciliation process in Rwanda focuses on reconstructing the Rwandan identity, as well as balancing justice, truth and peace and security in the country. Different measures have been taken by the Rwandan government towards achieving the goal of perpetrators and victims living side by side in peace. For example, the Constitution now states that all Rwandans share equal rights. And laws have been passed to fight discrimination and divisive genocide ideology.
Primary responsibility for reconciliation efforts in Rwanda rests with the National Unity and
Reconciliation Commission.’’

Would I be asking for too much if I request that the government make conscious effort at reconciling all Nigerian groups through intended policies – even if it means setting up a Unity Commission with pragmatic targets? I must say, as of now there is no wilful policy or programme by the government to manage our unity.

You cannot seek to suppress epochal outcomes of the past, whether they are negative or positive, in the life of a people and expect to manufacture congenial relationships. When there is suppression, there is resistance. Whatever you seek to suppress will always be given oomph from the underground.

The little annoyances that effectuated the Nigeria-Biafra civil war are still very much a concern. They remain unaddressed largely because a succession of leaderships did not want to walk the wire for Nigerians or take a middle-of-the-road approach to governance. We have had leaderships, with the exception of the Obasanjo administration, who put their ethnic and religious interests at the centre of governance.

We need to address the issue of ‘’ethnic origin and identity?’’ Am I a Nigerian because I am Igbo? Or Am I a Nigerian by virtue of my birth and allegiance to my country? The truth is most ‘’citizens’’ submit to their ethnic nationalities rather than to Nigeria. They derive their identity not from Nigeria but from their ethnic stock. It is the reason some of them can unleash violence on other citizens of different ethnic spectrum if they perceive their ‘’own’’ is violated.

We need to build a Nigerian identity. All ethnic nationalities must surrender their individual identities to a Nigerian identity. Like it is in Rwanda, it can happen in our country.

We must be deliberate about managing our diversity. This is where the leadership is remiss. There is no calculated policy to harmonise ethnic divergences and sensitivities; understand this chasm and forge a strong bridge across all lines.

The recent blockade of food supplies to the south should prick us to reflect on the unhinged compassing of our nation. We are on a delicate bend. Nigeria needs men and women who will rise to the responsibility of leadership and steer it ashore -- statesmen and nationalists – men and women who have conquered the lure of ethnic and religious cravings.

I understand the intervention of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, saved the situation – of what could have snowballed into an ethnic tit-for-tat. Though I learnt another governor was furious with him for intervening in the matter. According to my sources, the obverse governor told Bello that the ‘’south should be allowed to suffer’’.

Really, there are people in high places who live off Nigeria’s ethnic contours. We should starve them of this meal.

We, the Igbo, the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Fulani, the Ijaw, the Esan, the Urhobo – and all other ethnic nationalities -- should surrender our ethnic identities to the Nigerian identity. This does not imply abandoning our roots, but embracing an expansive identity for the survival of our country.

We need leadership.

May Nigeria succeed.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

http://saharareporters.com/2021/03/06/igbo-hausa-yoruba-must-surrender-ethnic-identities-nigeria-fredrick-nwabufo

Delusional!!! Southerners are delusional. Hausa/fulani people do not believe in losing their identity. Nigeria is nations not a nation.