Blackman’s story is always a big story! His ways (mannerisms and actions) are wonderments to Mother Nature!! The outcomes of his different manifestations are indeed awesome!!! (to other cultures and sub-cultures of the different parts of the world—Caucasian, Mongoloid, Asiatic, etc). Nigeria, being the largest concentration and congregation of the Blackman’s peoples, is indeed a big and mental-tasking example for others to behold. Our ways are surely different. The outcomes of our different earthly manifestations and engagements many a time, rattles outstanding and established thoughts. The reasoning-before-and-after-actions, in individual, group or governmental policies tickle the most intelligent of human beings as unique species of Nature. Impunity is embedded inwardly and outwardly. Humility is the most stupid ware to display for sales. Compromise is never seen as a better option when two or more are engaged to achieve a great purpose. OH! Our Nigeria, what is the way-out of your self-inflicted cuts and pains? OH! Our beloved country (Nigeria), what is the way forward towards your true development and establishment as a true nation to note and behold in world classification? Should a brother cheat and kill a brother, to be seen as wiser? Should others be always down while some want to be on top to lord it over these others at all times? Believe you me, God the creator hate it and overturn and scatter this scenario, whenever and wherever it obtains (no matter how long it subsists). Nigeria’s case now, is like a cup that is filled with liquid—it must surely overflow. The time this will happen, we are all keenly watching. But methinks our problems should be handled with the deepest sense of understanding and humility. Here is one of the numerous nagging unscrambled eggs in her basket of eggs: The Igbo question! Indeed, the Igbo leadership of Nigeria question comes to mind. Now, others want to rule (or do we say: lead) Igbos, but do not want Igbos to lead (rule) them. How has this been so?
It is indeed baffling why a sane-minded person in the present world would always want to rule (lead?) another person consistently, without giving the same chance and opportunity for these others to rule (lead?) him/her too? Did God create/him/her (the holder of such absurd and destructive idea) in abnormality: more or less than 9 months in his/her mother’s womb? Indeed, why should one think at this time of modernity (when humanity has long signed and agreed on: Mutually Agreed Destruction—MAD for short), that other persons should fold their arms while others lead them to either doom or boom-boom! In any direction they fancy; and at all times and in all situations? Is there an agreement to that effect? Do the “Divine Right of Kings” as a concept in governance, still existing in human-leadership dynamics? Does eternal master-servant relationship not breed conflict (especially when there is never an initial agreement to this effect)?
Questions and questions and more questions on this mental-absurdity that makes some think that others should allow them to rule (lead) them eternally (without any sort of agreement to this effect); without complaining. And that those being so-lead should be cheerful about it at all times, rankles sane-minds. Indeed, what a mistaken thought-pattern in modern times (that makes it imperative for societies to be governed by democracy and rule of law as agreed in compromise and give-and-take agreements by both parties involved in any kind of relationship). The world is round and must go round—that is the first and firm law of Mother Nature: whether we like it or not do not matter; except if one is courting for Mother Nature’s assured troubles and conflicts that keep minds wondering and wondering. Perpetuity is a misnomer; change and variety are the assured constants in the dynamics of Mother Nature’s ways! Take it or leave it that is the whole truth!!
Nigeria as a nation-state (now) is a RELATIONSHIP; and therefore, all terms and conditions must apply for this relationship to subsist at all times in all situations. This relationship was coupled by the British as Colonial Masters without any written agreement between the integral parts that some must rule and others must not lead. There were no cows, sheep or goats (that needs to be grazed and lead by others at all times) but human beings of equal sensibilities and abilities at the time of its coupling. If anybody or persons thinks “they are born to rule (others)”, that person or persons holds a “mistaken thought pattern” (and deserves mental-check by professionals in that line of study). To say the least, there are integral parts that made and are still making the whole that is seen and felt as Nigeria (as a country). And those integral parts must be allowed to function properly by been given a sense of belonging (to actually) belong to the whole.
The British, while departing our shores (and letting-go one of their most prized possessions in Colonial strangleholds) left it on a Tripod-Stand understanding and functionality (and even function-ability). This Tripod were: North, East and West. But this writer sees a further devolution to eight equal-parts that will surely make the Nigerian-system work (and in all system theories all parts must be accorded respect and maintainable for them to work properly for the good of the system). These equal-integral parts are: North West (Hausa/Fulani); Middle Belt (comprising the so-called Northern Minorities of the North Central); North East (with the Kanuris as the chief contenders); North East Central (comprising North Eastern Minorities—the former Adamawa Province from Northern Cameroon that was joined with Nigeria after a plebiscite—remembering also what the Lamido of Adamawa diplomatically said at the Constitutional conference in 2014: that if they are not treated properly in Nigeria, they will go back to where they are coming from on their own accord/concurrence and volition); South West (Yorubas); Mid West (comprising the so-called minorities of the West of Niger River); South East (Igbos); and South-South (Old Ogoja/Rivers/Niger Delta—comprising the so-called minorities East of the Niger River).
Indeed, all these eight integral and equal parts must be allowed to rule (lead) Nigeria rotationally if we want peace to be sustained eternally in Nigeria. This writer thinks this is the most applicable terms and conditions: moving forward.
On the Igbo leadership of Nigeria question! Whether one likes it or not, Igbos are one of the major ethnic groups/integral part of Nigeria. They are mobile, exposed and enlightened (and therefore cannot be anybody’s pushover except they want it so—to allow peace to reign—but such peace are called “peace of the grave yard” meant only for dead people and not for living human beings). The other two major ethnic groups/integral parts: Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba, have had or been given the opportunity to severally lead (or do we say: rule) Nigeria; and Igbos have not been allowed (except for the six months of the “drunken-General from the East”: Aguiyi Ironsi, whose mental-devastation from unkind wines, made him an easy prey to be easily disposed). The so-called minorities of North Central Nigeria (inhabiting the Middle Belt) have had the opportunity to lead (rule) several times (through: Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida and Adusalami Abubakar). Therefore remaining the Kanuris of the North East (who knows whether that is the reason for the overwhelming presence and prevalence of Boko Haram there); The so-called minorities of the North East Central (former Adamawa Province—remembering again what the Lamido of Adamawa retorted at the 2014 Constitutional Conference); The Mid West and its conglomeration of the so-called minorities of the West of Niger River; and of course: The Igbos of the South East (as we indicated earlier). The so-called minorities of the South-South (bordering South East in the East of the Niger River), have had one shot at the National Leadership position through Goodluck Jonathan (was Nigeria lucky during his term in office?).
Moving forward! As we said earlier: The rule of engagement must be properly defined for there to be lasting peace in Nigeria. Terms and conditions (Rule of law as agreed-upon by all the integral/component parts) must also be properly applied at all times; for peace to be made sustainable. Igbos must be allowed to lead this country, same for other integral parts that have not had their own shot at the National leadership position of Nigeria, for peace and harmony to reign as we all want it. Igbos like others who have not lead, are not cows, sheep or goats that always want others (human being may be) to graze and lead them. As co-equal partners/integral/component parts of this country (and this project called: Nigeria), they must be given a sense of belonging to belong in Nigeria. If they are not allowed to have their own time to lead this country, peace will be very much worked-hard-on, not to be under treat. As blades in the Nigerian fan (which can rotate for the good of the nation), they must be allowed to function properly with other blades of the fan, so that the fresh-air of development we all cherish as a nation, will blow all-around us unhindered and in good condition. Hamstringing this blade (or the other remaining blades), makes nonsense of our desire for fresh air/a cool air environment in a supposedly hot-environment (like ours as a country).
What is good for the goose is good for the gander! What the Igbos (and other integral parts that have not lead this country) are asking for, is not extra-ordinary; they are indeed ordinary; and therefore, is for the good of the whole nation—albeit, in line with the workings of “Systems Theory” identifications and classifications. Not allowing them to also lead (when other parts have led other parts) calls for the malfunctioning of the whole system (as represented and called: Nigeria). A word is enough for the wise! Deep calls to the deep and must encompass deep-reasoning too!! Goodluck (or do we say: Good-Tidings) to Nigeria, our beloved country—the pride of the Negroid Race (is there anything like Blackman—if we must follow the true colour identification/classification: I can only see brown/chocolate coloured people; no whites but light-pink/light orange coloured people also—please correct me if I am wrong)!!! Thank you. But give a thought and say on my line of thought here for the betterment and true development of our beloved country: Nigeria!
Written by Ejike Kingsley Osuji.
Email: ekosuji@yahoo.com
