Opinion
Should Nigeria Celebrate 100 Yrs Of Amalgamation?
Come 2014, Nigeria would have clocked 100 years since the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protecterates by British colonialists. In view of our chequered history so far, is Nigeria’s 100 years of existence worth celebrating? Our correspondent Calista Ezeaku and photographer, Dele Obinna sought the veiws of Nigerians. Excerpts:
Mr Madume Nixom – Civil Servant
What is the achievement in this 100 years? Is it good road, electricity? We have so many issues at hand. Fine, celebrating 100 years is good but on what basis are we celebrating? A man of 100 years is expected to have achieved at lot but to me as a nation we have a lot of challenges facing us- no good roads, no electricity, insecurity and so on.
So for me, if we must celebrate 100 years of amalgamation, let it be a low key celebration. Let us just thank God that at least we’ve clocked 100 years. Let it not be an elaborate celebration where a lot of money will be lavished on things that have nothing to do with Nigerians. I want our leaders to use this 100 years celebration to think of how to move this nation forward. Let them look at the issue of job creation for the youth. Let them improve on power supply. We have been suffering of power failure for a long time. If they had at least, achieved adequate power supply in the country, every Nigerian will be happy when you talk of celebrating 100 years. To me, the only reason we should celebrate is that Nigeria has continued to be one nation. But on the other way round, I don’t see any reason for that. Is it an avenue for people to enrich themselves through the celebration?
Mr. Ime Ita _ Business man
I think it is good to celebrate the 100 years of amalgamation of Southern and Northern Nigeria but as we do that, let us think of how to improve our economy. Our economy is not stable, there is serious inequality in the country. So we should think of how to develop and sustain our economy.
So far, I think we have tried but we are supposed to do more. We are not developing the way we are supposed to because of corruption and inequality in Nigeria. So I will like our leaders to find ways of tackling corruption in Nigeria. Let them improve internal security in the country and also invest on programmes and projects that will be beneficial to every citizen of Nigeria.
Nnaebuka Ezeonugo – Banker
I will say yes and no. Yes in the sense that it is not easy for a country to mark its N100 years of amalgamation. It’s a laudable achievement. However, what I don’t support is lavishing so much money on the celebration rather than trashing the real issues that need our attention at this time. The best we have achieved is trying to have a civilian government which we are currently enjoying and I believe that with time, we are going to get better.
But I think that for us to be one of the great nations in future, we really have to enact policies that will actually support the youth in a lot of ways. If you look at the educational system in Nigeria, you wonder where the country is heading to. The decadence in the tertiary institutions is really very worrisome. What about the quality of graduates we produce now, people that can’t defend themselves. That is really an indication that the educational system has been defective, I believe we are supposed to be improving by the day not going down. In our time, it was a thing of joy for parents to say my son, my daughter is in federal university. But I don’t think that is the case any longer. Every body wants to send his children abroad or to private universities.
So I don’t think we’ve really achieved much in education. They keep saying we should be self employed but they don’t encourage these young graduates to actually bring out what they have in them. The process of securing loan is so difficult. So there is little or nothing that will really favour the youth and the young graduates, and it really calls for concern. If 50 years before now, these people that are at the helm of affairs did not get quality education and other necessary things that have kept them where they are, I doubt if they would have been in the positions they occupy now.
So if we don’t invest on today’s youth, if we don’t cater for them, in the next 50 years or 100 years, what will become of this nation?
And for us to continue to exist as one country, we should forget about ethnicity and come together to work for the common good of the nation. Every geo-political zone in this country is endowed with one thing or the other. We need to pull these resources together for the development of the country. Government on the other hand should try and provide the basic needs of the citizens both in the urban and rural areas – good education, adequate power supply, good healthcare system, that is all we ask for.
Mr Achebe Chigozie – Transporter
It is worth while celebrating the 100 years of amalgamation because this is a great nation that cannot be compared with any other nation in the African sub region. That is why we are called giant of Africa. When we think of all the challenges that the country had passed through and still remains one country for 100 years, it calls for celebration. I know that politically we are not yet matured as should be expected but gradually we can mature.
Some people have been clamouring for the division of the country due to series of challenges facing us but for me, that is not a solution to our problem. We should continue to forge ahead as one nation.
People like late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe preached one Nigeria and that is where I stand. United we stand, divided we fall.
My only advice is that we should pray to God to give us a leader, the person could be Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Efik, or what have you, it doesn’t really matter, provided he is someone that can rule us in the fear of God. Let us unite and make Nigeria strong.
Mrs Onuigbo Comfort – Business Woman
I think we should celebrate the centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation because at least Nigeria is still one country. We have not divided. Although we have lost so many souls in the recent past, we that are living ought to celebrate and give thanks to God for the gift of life. We should celebrate, future Nigeria should be better. However, with all that we’ve lost and bearing in mind that Nigeria is not where it is supposed to be educationally, economically, politically and all that. The celebration should not be an elaborate one. And for this country to move forward, our leaders should be sincere in the fight against corruption. Let them invest in education and youth empowerment.
Perri Tamuno – Owunari – Public Servant / Environmentalist
Eeem! Some will say it’s worth it you see how far the country has gone, pieces of development, you know how we went into civil war and still remain one entity, then you can say let’s celebrate. But for the present age, I believe they’ll say it is not worthwhile, seeing the crisis in the country now.
If the British took cognizance of the different tribes in the country, they would have laid down some conditions for us to live peacefully, forecasting how Nigeria would look like in the next 50, 100 years. But those things were not taken into consideration and that is why we see ethnic and religious crisis every now and then. That is why some people say that coming together as one entity has done us more harm than good. You see, the South South people, Ndigbo, the Arewa people, the Yorubas saying they need to go their ways. That is to say that the foundation was not right.
But as individuals, I think we need to celebrate because it’s not easy. You’ll see some countries that have stayed for 30 to 40 years being into deep crisis. If you see what is going on in Mali, you will know that it is worthwhile celebrating our existence as one country. And we pray that the so-called Sovereign National Conference will be called for every tribe, every region to discuss how we can continue to exist as one. We still need Nigeria as one. No region can stay as a separate entity for now. We need each other as a body.
However, in the past 100 years. I don’t think we have done well developmentally. We have disabused the principle of sustainable development. There is no equal distribution of wealth. You see high rate of marginalization. Resources from one area being used to develop another area without commensurate development of where that resources is coming from. You see decay of infrastructure everywhere.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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