Tuesday 17 September 2013

NIGERIANS: ONE BLOOD

When educated and widely-travelled adult Nigerians who are 43 years of age or younger (that means people born after 1970 when the Nigeria Civil War ended) promote their tribe or ethnic group rather than Nigeria, I am gravely disappointed and concerned. You would have thought that they can tell by now that there is really nothing that distinguishes one tribe from the other; or even one race from another.

What really is the difference between a person who is negro, caucasian, jewish or mongoloid from another human being of any other race? How is a Yoruba, Esan, Ibibio, Igbo, Fulani, Jukun, Hausa, Idoma, Berom, Zuru, Igbirra, Kanuri, Efik, Itsekiri, Afenmai, Ika, or Urhobo person superior to another Nigerian who is of  a different tribe?

People have pointed to the scattering of the human race and imposition of several languages by God at the Tower of Babel as proof that God meant us to be tribalistic or racist. What a satanic lie from hell!

Acts 17:26 reads:

"And hath made of ONE BLOOD all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;"

So God made all men of ONE BLOOD. If a negro, a caucasian, Esan, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani or any other human being needs a blood transfusion, what matters is the Blood Group not the race or tribe!! We are all the same except for geographical location which gave rise to skin pigmentation and other minor physiological traits attributable to the climate and food available where we are. The language and culture are LEARNED. If you are Igbo and you adopt a Yoruba child from infancy or you were even mistakenly given a Yoruba baby at the hospital upon delivery (and that happens often!!), your "Yoruba" child will grow up an "Igbo"!!

I am Esan. I was born in Esanland. I speak Esan. I also understand Yoruba. My wife is Urhobo. Her Mum is Kwale; her Dad is Urhobo. She was born in Lagos. She speaks Yoruba and understands a bit of Kwale. She does not understand Urhobo. Is my son Esan, Urhobo, Kwale or Yoruba?

If I were accepted as a Lagosian, having lived in Lagos since 1974, I would not be going to Esanland to vie to be a Senator.

I am Esan. But I have no other country but Nigeria. All of us Nigerians are of One Blood!

Yes, we have problems as a nation. Yes, we are divided by tribe, language and religion. But we are still of One Blood.

What to do: Let us discuss our differences. Call it what you want: "National Conference", "Sovereign National Conference", "Family Meeting", "National Discussion Session"....whatever. But we need to talk. We must re(negotiate) the terms of our nationhood. That does not necessarily mean Nigeria will break up.

And from my interactions with many Nigerians, I believe our people just want a country where they feel accepted and feel they belong. I think Nigerians want to stay Nigerians but only if real unity, true peace, justice and prosperity reign. 

God bless Nigeria!

Nigeria di fure!!

1 comment:

  1. Great Insight! Keep it up, my brother. You have said it all!!!

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