NIGERIA'S DEFINITION OF UNITY

I am a man born some years back into this contraption called Nigeria. I am an advocate of rationalism, I like people that reason out matters by weighing both consequences and implications as regards the realities on each segment. Nigeria has existed as an independent entity for fifty-eight years and I can't seem to see reason why it is still remaining as an entity till date. Ever since I became conversant with English language there are three statements I have heard over the years from most rulers of this contraption that pukes me, I have tried to rationalize its reality and acceptability but found them absolutely unacceptable and unimaginable.

These statements are:

1.      The unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.

2.      The bond of our existence is indissoluble.

3.      The unity of this great country is sacrosanct. Considering these statements, I am tempted to ask... where is unity in this country? What is the meaning of unity? Does Nigeria have their own definition of the word “UNITY” while the rest of the world have theirs difference? Let's look up the meaning of unity and its related words.

UNITY

1.      The state or fact of being one and undivided.

2.      Single undivided thing seen as complete in itself.

UNITED

(1) Joined into a single entity.

(2) Involving the joint activities of multiple agents. Considering the above definitions of these constantly used words and statements by this fraudulent one united Nigerianists, and judging by your experience from independent up until now, is Nigeria really one and united?

POWER SHARING IN LEADERSHIP FROM 1960 TO DATE

Tafawa Balewa	Prime minister	1960-1963	3 years rule
Nnamdi Azikiwe	President	1963-1966	3 years rule
Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi	Head of state	Jan. 1966 – June 1966	194 days rule
Yakubu Gowon	Head of state	1966-1975	9 years rule
Murtala Mohammed	Head of state	1975-1976	1 year rule
Olusegun Obasanjo	Head of state	1976-1979	3 years rule
Shehu Shagari	President	1979-1983	4 years rule
Mohammadu Buhari	Head of state	1983-1985	2 years rule
Ibrahim Babangida	Head of state	1985-1993	8 years rule
Ernest Shonekan	Interim president	1993	6 months rule
Sani Abacha	Head of state	1993-1998	5 years rule
Abdulsalami Abubakar	Head of state	1998-1999	1 year rule
Olusegun Obasanjo	President	1999-2007	8 years rule
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua	President	2007-2010	3 years rule
Goodluck Jonathan	President	2010-2015	5 years rule
Mohammadu Buhari	President	2015-2017

Out of these distributions the North rule for thirty-one (31) years, the middle belt ruled for nine (9) years, the West has ruled for eleven (11) years the South-South have ruled for five (5) years while the Eastern people have ruled for three (3) years. How united are these distributions? How equitable is this?

ROAD SAFETY STATE PLATE NUMBERING AND THEIR SLOGAN

The Federal road safety commission came out with new vehicular plate numbering with each state choosing a slogan and these are their slogans which should mind the unity of Nigeria.

Abia - God's own state

Abuja - Centre of unity

Adamawa - Land of sunshine and hospitality

Akwa Ibom - Land of promise

Bauchi - Pearl of tourism

Bayelsa - Glory of all lands

Benue - Food basket of the nation

Borno - Home of peace

Cross River - The peoples paradise

Delta - The big heart

Ebonyi - Salt of the nation

Edo - Heartbeat of the nation

Ekiti - Fountain of knowledge

Enugu - Coal city state

Gombe - Jewel in the Savannah

Imo - Eastern heartland

Jigawa - The new world

Kaduna - Centre of learning

Kano - Centre of commerce

Katsina - Home of hospitality

Kebbi - Land of equity

Kogi - Confluence state

Kwara - Place of Harmony

Lagos - Centre of excellence

Nasarawa - Home of solid minerals

Niger - Power state

Ogun - Gateway state

Ondo - The sunshine state

Osun - State of the living spring

Oyo - Pace setter state

Plateau - Home of peace and tourism

Rivers - Treasure base of the nation

Sokoto - Seat of the caliphate (born to rule)

Taraba - Nature's gift to a nation

Yobe - The young shall grow

Zamfara - Home of agricultural produce

Considering these distributions, doesn’t the choice of Sokoto elicit anarchy, or is it not treasonable for a state to choose the word “caliphate “a unified federal Islamic government run by a caliph? But all these were done not minding how the rest of Nigerian citizens would feel. In a united country can such bare faced nepotism be exercised? We have seen lopsided appointments in the present regime with all important positions occupied by northerners and you still talk about unity and one Nigeria? If these are the true meanings of unity and oneness then Biafrans don't want to be part of this bogus. Biafra is our destination, no going back until we achieve and reach our target.

Written by:

Mazi Emmanuel Igbeagu

Edited by:

Mazi Dimkpa Ikenna Ikenga Amadioha-Gbo

For: Rivers State Media (Igweocha Province)

Published by:
Chibuike Nebeokike