FASHOLA’S ACTION A REMINDER TO NDIGBO:

                                           

“It was obvious that bigotry was never a one-way operation, that hatred bred hatred” 
... Isaac Asimov. 

Hatred, which could destroy so much, never failed to destroy the man who hated, and this was an immutable law.... James A. Baldwin. 

Governor Babatunde Fashola’s action by deporting the Igbos to their states will live indelible and painful memories in the hearts of many Nigerians for many years to come more especially the Igbo tribe. His action has once again reminded the Igbo about their painful path they’ve journeyed in the last 46yrs of the (Nigeria/Biafra) civil war. History has repeated itself. It’s time Ndigbo should have a rethink and start to withdraw their investments back to the East. It sounds impossible but nothing is impossible to the rational mind of positive thinkers.

The Israelis did it in 1948 when they turned the arid desert-land into a fertile and viable land and became a giant agricultural producing nation. Because they were enterprising and good in commerce just like the Igbo that was why they could achieved this. Today Israel is among the industrialized economies; their achievements were embedded on self determination and being honest to themselves. Despite all hostilities among its Arab neighbours Israel still emerged strong as a regional power in the Middle- East today when Israel sneeze the whole of the Middle-East catch cold.

The Igbos has been at the receiving end since the civil war ended in 1970. Each time there’s national crisis the Igbos always record a high numbers of causalities. . . The good example was the recent Kano attack by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram which swept the lives of many Igbo. The annulment of June 12 1993 election saw a great numbers of Igbo who live in Lagos losing their lives through road accidents as many were running for refuge.

The end of the civil war saw Ndigbo being marginalised in all facets of events both economically and politically. It was difficult for the Nigerian government to reintegrate them to participate in the mainstream of events because they lost the war. Some of the sensitive political positions that relating with the nation’s security such as the Police Force; the Army and the Navy. The position of Inspector General (IG), the Army Chief of Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff, the position of the Naval Chief and the seat of the Chief Justice of the federation all these were reserved positions meant for the Yoruba and the Hausa. But despite all these ill-treatments Ndigbo had never been daunted or repelled in the establishment of a union called NIGERIA.

The Governor’s action by deporting 72 Igbos back to the East speaks volume of hatred and irrational behaviour towards a particular tribe which can instigates and incites discord between the two tribes. The Igbo has been at the fore- front in the development Nigeria both politically and economically before and after the civil war. The huge businesses owned by the Igbo in Lagos State are unquantifiable ranging from manufacturing to real estate and importations of goods which have contributed immensely to the economy of Lagos State. However their businesses spread across entire berth and width of the State. From Idumota to Balogun, Ladipo to Alaba INT’L electronics market and INT’L Trade fair Complex just to mention but few. All these amount to billions of Naira which Lagos State government rakes as revenue.

It’s very conspicuous that Fashola’s dream to transform Lagos as a mega-City like New York, Rio and other large capital cities of the world has already generating poverty to many Lagosians where demolishing of individuals properties as illegal structures has taken toll on the less privilege especially; those whose livelihood depends on the revenues generated from house rent. It is good for a leader to have tall dreams for his state but same time as the chief executive he must try to carry his subjects along. Governor Fashola deportation of Igbo from Lagos state shows moral erodes, defenceless, less protective and venerability to the nation’s constitution. It only in Nigeria that a governor of a state can twist laws to his taste. Unlike in the western world where laws are observed and obeyed, the state executives are accountable to the people.

In as much Lagos state has huge revenues to finance their budget that shouldn’t make governor Fashola to be arrogant, or lose the sense of leadership. Fashola should be reminded of his insensitiveness by failing to recognize that Igbo’s huge businesses in Lagos are like the goose that lays the golden egg. If the Igbos withdraws their assets in Lagos the state will immediately declare bankruptcy.  No country or state is indispensible. What formed the American Union today were different nationalities from all corners of the globe irrespective of colour, creed, language or sexual orientation. America consists of the Hispanics, the Latinos, the African- Americans, Irish Americans, the Native Americans etc that what makes United States the greatest country in the world.

If Nigeria as a nation cannot love and accommodate its citizens then what are hopes of those Nigeria ns in Diasporas?  Nigeria has all it takes to be a Social Welfare State. But because of corruption and the self-centred leaders who drain off the government coffer for their own personal enrichment the country would have been better off than now.

Nigeria will continue to remain perpetually under-developed if leaders like governor Fashola continue to breed hatred on a particular tribe all in the disguise name of building a Mega city. It is very unfortunate the civil war of the past 46 years hasn’t thought us lesson as a nation. Fashola should be reminded that Ndigbo are not cowards by nature but because of their; advocate of a strong union called Nigeria and the determination to live as an entity where love and peace prevails.

Since the end of Nigeria/ Biafra civil war (43 yrs) ago a lot has changed. The world has gone globally, technology has changed the way people think and do things. It will be so naive for any group or tribe in Nigeria be it Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo to belligerently rise against other, Arab Spring should be a lesson to Nigerians. A leader like Fashola should not incite ethnic tension or toy with the unity of the nation rather; he should be a custodian, a leader whose leadership lives a footprint in the annals of Nigeria chequered history. “A word is enough for the wise.”

By Lucas Anuforo.©