MATTERS ARISING: NIGERIA AND THE SCOURGE OF TRIBALISM AND ETHNIC RIVALRY By: Olawale Abdul Basit

   Tribalism and ethnic rivalry are one of the major trauma that has bedevilled our socio-political history over the years. Ever since we have been forcefully amalgamated by the Britons, we have not really united as a single force to promote and enhance the advancement of this country in all ramifications.The igbos want  independence and sovereignty,yorubas and Hausas also desire to exist as a single entity.

   Going by history, after the amalgamation by the British colonial government,it was clearly stated that this marriage will only last for 100 years and that has already passed as it was 2014 by calculation but if we see that it can no longer work for us and sustained then it should be dissolved.Since we have decided to move on, why can't we understand one another for our own good as a nation?.

   Our political leaders of today fuel the scourge of tribalism by their words and actions  and this in turn influences the psychological emotions,creates animosity and hatred among the citizens. 

       Tribalism has bastardized different aspect of our political and social life with each ethnic group intending to dominate and rival the other. I see no reason why an igbo man must not live peacefully where he so desires, and a Yoruba man is easily susceptible to torture in violence scenario in the North when a conflicting ideology or disagreement occurs simply because of his yorubanness. The Fulani man is easily suspected and dubbed a criminal or kidnapper without a thorough investigation been carried out. 

   Even in the academia where we have a conglomerate of intellectuals,you will still find war of tribalism. If it is in the North, a Northerner has to be vice chancellor,the same thing is applicable in the East and the West.let me take us down Memory lane— prof Kenneth Onwuka Dike —The first indigenous vice chancellor of the University College Ibadan,willingly resigned in 1966 as Vice chancellor  due to the mounting bouts of tribalism and pressure from his own colleagues.Why?simply because he was an igbo man. According to Kenneth Dike "Intellectuals were the worst peddlers of tribalism" .That statement is still extant till today.

    I strongly believe we can peacefully live together despite our diverse culture,language,norms,religion and beliefs. To avert the problem of tribalism and ethnic rivalry in this country there is a dire need for restructuring and maintenance of mutual understanding among the diverse ethnic groups in this country otherwise we will continue to swim in the pool of this menace. 

Written by Olawale Abdul Basit. He is a student communicator and a public affairs observer. He can be reached on 08133697193 Olawaleabdulbasit2@gmail.com.