Nigeria happened to be a plural society that is composed of different ethnic groups, conflicting traditions, religions and beliefs. Historically, this came about as a result of the colonial amalgamation of different entities and polities in the region that is today called Nigeria.
One can vehemently argue that the amalgamation was a forced marriage by the colonial lords, and that any forced marriage ends up in persistent quarrelling that eventually leads to break-up. As hot as the argument sounds, one can also opine that the amalgamation was artificial. But an indisputable fact is that the amalgamation has become a Nigeria’s fate which should now be widely seen as ordainment of God.
Whatever the argument may be, the issue of amalgamation had been resting in the archive of history since 1914. What has passed is by-gone and should be ignored, the future is what matters. It is an irrefutable belief that for every general rule there must be an exception. Not all forced marriages end up in break-off; sometimes the couple turns out to be more romantic than Romeo and Juliet. Love, I believe, cannot be forced into one’s heart. Nevertheless, accepting to ‘live’ with someone whom you don’t love can gradually develop into likeness- and this leads to love.
Colonialism is part of Nigerian destiny, and so also the forced marriage. The marriage that lasts for one century should not be expected to be revocable. What does a thought like that signal besides the falling of things apart? I expect that the children of that marriage would stand firmly against the break-off for fear of the unimaginable consequences.
Now, the fundamental question is, through what instrument(s) and yardstick(s) can Nigeria remain one indivisible country that would enjoy the fruits of the forced colonial amalgamation of the various polities across the region? It is my humble belief that the answer(s) to the question is not far-fetched.
Firstly, having realised that the country is destined to be heterogeneous and also the fact that human beings are created different, each one dancing to the tune of his/her own personal upbringing, it is my humble submission that tolerance is the most needed cement to concretely hold Nigerians together.
Tolerance is the appreciation of diversity and the ability to live and let others live. It is the ability to exercise a fair and objective attitude towards those whose opinions, practices, religion, nationality and so on differ from one’s own.
Another yardstick is understanding. Do not simply judge a person without fully understanding him/her. An acceptable attitude exhibited by one person might be deviant to another because of the relative nature of morality and vice versa. To understand that Nigerians are not created the same, not on a journey to be the same or force others to a certain direction of belief and practice, would be a beginning where concrete foundation could be laid down for a strong Nigeria.
From independence in 1960 till date, there is nearly no part of Nigeria that has not witnessed or had its own fair share of ethnic and/or religious conflicts as a result of intolerance and lack of understanding. I am a resident of Jos – I have a lot to tell – the catastrophic consequences of intolerance some years back in my historic city had left an indelible mark of regret and grief.
Abdul Mutallib Muktar, Jos.
