Nigeria ran the parliamentary system of government from 1960 to 1966, when it was terminated by a military coup. During that time, the country had the Northern, Western and Eastern regions.
These three regions gave rise to the idea of three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. They are: Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo for the Northern, Western and Eastern regions, respectively. The Mid-Western region was later created from the Western region in 1963, bringing the regions to four, but the idea of three major ethnic groups persisted.
The six geo-political zones, that is; North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-West, South-East and South-South were later created by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in 1995, but we still maintain the three major ethnic groups.
There are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria. Apart from the South-West and South-East zones whose natives are Yoruba and Ibo, respectively, other zones have many ethnic groups.
I think it is important for us to have six major ethnic groups, representing each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. We should have something like this; Hausa (North-West), Yoruba (South West), Ibo (South-East), Tiv (North Central), Ijaw (South-South) and Kanuri (North East).
The languages and traditions of the six major ethnic groups should also be promoted and vital information by some federal ministries, departments and agencies should be translated into Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Tiv, Ijaw and Kanuri.
Donald Gaadi can be reached at:[email protected]
