The Media And Project Nigeria

More than the civil societies, the mass
media is credited with the attainment
of political independence from the colonial masters. Thereafter, indigenous governance developed a problem and brought the military into governance and it was the media that fought and restored democracy in Nigeria.
Once again, Nigeria is faced with another challenge that calls for patriots to act and in good time before things get out of hands. More than ever before, the peace and unity of Nigeria are being challenged. The discontent cuts across religions, politics, economics, ethnic and social divides.
If proactive steps are not taken, and God forbid, Nigeria is made to self destruct, it is not everyone that will understand the quantum of sacrifices that would be wasted. More than any set of professionals, the media lost members and comfort to ensure that Project Nigeria remains. The media could not have lost so much for nothing.
That is why the media must once again rise above petty sentiments of the day, even that of politics to defend Nigeria against itself. The cracks on the map of Nigeria have become too many and deep to ignore, yet the political class fails to see as they fight for worthless political supremacy even as they reduce everything in the country to politics.
Nigeria is not only the most populous nation of blacks; it is a major international player in many respects. Nigeria is one country that has the land mass, human and material resources as well as complementary diversity that is also its strength. It is an envy of other countries across the world, but Nigeria is sick.
In fact, it was predicted that Nigeria would disintegrate in the year 2015. Though wisdom prevailed, Nigeria has not been the same ever since. More than ever before, all the stake holding groups in the country are offended. People support with ease, the call for disintegration. This is when the progressive elements in Nigeria must act and fast.
It is sad that out of Nigeria, the Biafrans want to leave; the Niger Delta wants to leave and the North also think it’s about time some persons are allowed to go. Nigeria is fighting itself in the North-East, it is suppressing an open war with the East and may be amassing weapons for a showdown in the Niger Delta.
Incidentally, the United States and a few other local and international bodies have warned against the use of force in seeking peace in Nigeria. Indeed; it can easily be deduced that no matter how legitimate the military option may be, its impact on some pristine interests can result in an uncontrollable conflagration.
But why Nigeria is where it is today needs to be understood. Most of the issues that now agitate the minds of many people are issues that the country inflicts on herself. Nigeria cannot continue to do the same things and expect different results. The era of ignorance and senseless oppression should have gone by now.
In the search for solutions for Nigerian’s problem, two National Conferences have been held and their reports are being sat upon by persons that have no care for the peace and unity of the country and the media fails to raise it. The political and economic imbalances are overlooked and the failings in governance condoned.
For some time now, opinion leaders across the various divides in Nigeria have been unanimous on the need to correct some fundamental problems in the polity. They have stated that Nigeria must practice true federalism that its laws claim. They insist that Nigeria must restructure the country to allow the country to serve the interest of all.
To corroborate that stand, the analysis of nearly all the socio-economic and political problems of Nigeria were traced to the need to free the federating units to operate as bonafide actors and not colonies of the imaginary authority of a country. That the federating units also need to be streamlined or revisited has become imperative, but again the authorities fail to say a word about these things.
As usual, the government of the day appears to be doing everything to divert attention from these issues and the media appears to be cowed. The media should be bothered by the decision of Nigeria to always walk away from the obvious panaceas to her problems. The individuals behind this act must be exposed as they do not wish Nigeria well.
The media should insist on bringing the issues of true federalism and restructuring to the national agenda always. The media must ask questions and work to free Nigeria from herself, if for nothing else to ensure that the earlier sacrifices it made are not allowed to waste.