Let’s Safeguard Nigeria’s Unity

Nigeria’s attainment of independence on the 1st  of October, 1960 was certainly not on a
platter of gold. The colonial masters then were not willing to succumb to the
pressure of self rule, but it took the patriotic zeal and doggedness of our
founding fathers such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Tafawa Bellewa, Chief
Anthony Enahoro, Herbert Macaulay and Ernest Ikoli, all of blessed memory, to
achieve independence.

Sadly however, what is being witnessed in the country today
negates the vision and aspiration of those great patriots. The upsurge  of attack, relentless killing by the Boko
Haram sect in the Northern region has not only threatened the corporate
existence and unity of the nation, it has also diminished the status of Nigeria
as a free nation.

These harbingers of destruction and death in the north  have brought tears and anguish to thousands
of homes of innocent Nigerians. They have made many  women to become widows and children orphans.
The mindless killing of innocent Nigerians by this dreaded group is about
turning this once peaceful region into middle east of Nigeria, where bombing
and killing have become a daily manna.

The activities of these primitive and misguided
individuals  if not nipped in the bud
will definitely tear the fabrics of our national unity.

I quite agree with General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd) that “Our
nation is on fire”. This conflagration must therefore be extinguished to avoid
total destruction and anarchy. And as rightly pointed out by an elder
statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, what holds Nigeria together is gradually being
eroded. For Nigeria to regain its unity, there must be love and understanding
among its components.

The negative  impacts
of Boko Haram insurgence have made it imperative for government at all levels
to take proactive measures to scuttle their upsurge. On the other hand,
government should endeavour to unmask the sponsors of these terrorists whether
they operate within or outside the country.

Majority of these youths are unemployed and do not have any
reasonable means of livelihood which strongly suggests that some forces are
behind them. The onslaught in the north, if not properly checked, will lead to
the total disintegration of this great nation as being predicted by the United
States of America, that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015.

It is pertinent to note that despite our differences in
cultural and religious background, our founding fathers put their acts
together, devoid of rancour, bickering and acrimony to wrestle power from the
colonial authority. How then now some groups misapplied their energies and
talents to cause mayhem and destroy the labour of our hero’s past which stood
on “One people, great nation”?

It is highly unfortunate and disheartening that churches,
markets and media houses have become targets, a situation that has become
worrisome to any patriotic mind and well-meaning Nigerian. Another   danger associated with it now, is that of
reprisal  attack as recorded on the 17th
of June, 2012 in Kaduna where three churches were bombed simultaneously,
leading to   loss  of
several lives.

It is obvious that if the activities of the Boko Haram
continue unabated and unchecked, prospective investors wishing to invest in the
country would definitely decline their interest because of insecurity, no
matter the level of assurance given to them by the government. This will
adversely affect the full realisation of vision 2020 and the transformation
agenda of the present administration .

The devasting effects of Boko Haram activities have made
other  Nigerians from other parts of the
country become skeptical and mindful of going to the Northern region to work or
transact business. The uproar that characterised the recent posting of NYSC
members from other regions to northern region, citing insecurity as an excuse,
is worrisome and portends danger for the country.

It is crystal clear that both the Muslims’ Koran and
Christians’ Bible preach love and peace; therefore it is highly regrettable
that those who proclaim these faith are themselves enemies of love and peace.

Today, the nefarious activities of Boko Haram have
bastardised Nigeria’s  image. Nigeria is
now perceived as unstable and insecured place for both human habitation and
economic activities.

Boko Haram and their sponsor should bear in mind that the
continuous bombing and killings in the north will impoverish the  people of the region more. Maiming and
scaring away those who will contribute to the development of the region will
cause a great disaster for the economy of the country with the north as the
worst victim.

Therefore, for the unity of this nation,  the Boko Haram should sheathe its sword and
give peace a chance. Meanwhile, government and other meaningful Nigerians
should,  as a matter of urgency,
cooperate to safeguard the unity and peace of this nation. Nigeria’s peaceful
co-existence remains sacrosanct and we
can not afford to  compromise it.

Nnaji is of the Rumuji Police Station, Port Harcourt.

Linus Nnaji