Unity As the Paramount Goal of the Young Nigerian

I wrote this article in June last year. I don't know why I never bothered to share it publicly but I feel that this is as good a time as any for the young Nigerian to read this. Enjoy! 

2015 is almost upon us, the year when the future of the greatest black nation on the planet will be decided for better or for the much dreaded worst, which most major players on the nation's political scene don't seem too eager to avert.

Today on the streets of Nigeria, the common notion is that this is a country either on the brink of war or a great divide. This is despite the thin, very thin efforts of the current administration to alleviate these fears at a time like this. Most educated Nigerians, especially the youth harbour a great deal of fear over what the next year or so holds for the 100 year old entity, Nigeria. I think the current circumstances couldn't come at a worse time because a centenary is an appropriate time for a nation that was united to form one household, despite the differences in culture and what not, to take stock and evaluate the proverbial journey so far.       

I read an article recently written by Simon Kolawole, expressing how foolhardy it would be of any nation to play politics with the safety of its citizens. This warning comes at a most crucial time when the safety and indeed the unity and completeness of our country is on the brink of total collapse. Although it is imparative for the government of the day to take full responsibility, this is not the time for fingerpointing. This is a time not even for sober reflections but a time to be vigilant and proactive. This is the time for every well meaning Nigerian citizen to get creative and help prevent the doomsday that so many have predicted. 

The opposition should listen now, not to their burning ambition but to the spirit of patriotism which is inherent in every Nigerian, whether or not they recognize and acknowledge it. The opposition needs to understand that if they expend their energy on insincere and relentless criticism of the current government at such a time, it will have demoralizing effects on the people of Nigeria and may serve to accelerate the breakdown of our nation's unity. If we do not become at one with ourselves now, there may be no Nigeria to govern post 2015. Let us put the Horse before the cart, lest we plunge into destruction. 

The Nigerian youth are the most vulnerable party at this point in time because we are the bulk of the physical and intellectual force that will either fight to secure the future of our nation or sit back, watch cluelessly and allow for her   destruction. We need to be on our guard, unite under one voice and bring about the serenity and peace that will neutralize any fears breeding in our hearts. We need to assure one another that when this agression between the power drunk and the power hungry is at its peak, we will not get carried away, we must remain on the side of Nigeria and not turn on one another. We have come a long way these past 100 years and though it has been bitter at times, I assure you my brothers and sisters that there is something in this country worth fighting for and we must remember that others before us have fought and died for this reason. We must call to mind and draw inspiration from these exeptional individuals who truly believed in a unity and oneness which is way beyond the bitterness that relentlessly pokes at the heart of our nationhood these days, and put them first in our approach to the current circumstances. That attitude of selfishness and the incomprehensible lack of interest that is popular with many young Nigerians cannot fly at this time. Young Nigerians need to engage in serious, purpose driven discourse among one another to ensure that we are all on the same page or at least understand to a reasonable extent and be conscious of the role we are obligated to play at this time, in order not to be used as instruments of destruction. We must remind one another that there is no price for our patriotism and indeed our humanity. As the next general election fast approaches, we must remind ourselves that violence in defense of any political party or candidate is NOT acceptable under any circumstance. We must understand the principles of peaceful disagreement and must never descend to the level of barbarians. We must remind ourselves that the only thing worth dying for is Nigeria and that no politician's cause, no matter how noble it may seem, is worth taking another Nigerian's life.
Politicians will come and go, presidents and governments will come and go, some will be remembered as true heros and their names would go down in Folklore but the Country and her people's welfare remains Principal and Paramount.