The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • The Christmas Eve carnage on the Plateau

    The Christmas Eve carnage on the Plateau

    SIR: The senseless Christmas Eve carnage unleashed on at least 28 communities in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Council Areas of Plateau State is primitive, totally awful, barbaric and condemnable. Reports from different media platforms on the incident show that over 150 innocent people were murdered in their sleep by heartless invaders while about 221 houses were burnt down and more than 10,000 persons currently displaced.

    The mayhem unleashed on the affected peaceful rural communities is the worst according to reports since 2018. The attack according to community sources was said to have been carried out even when notice of the impending disaster had since November 15 been sent to the communities by the perpetrators of the dastardly act. The question is – what did government and the security agencies responsible for protecting lives and properties do?

    To an average indigene of Plateau State, the attack is one too many and government is not also doing enough to protect lives and properties. Most if not all the people see these unwarranted attacks as a concerted move by forces within and outside the state to kill, displace and take over their ancestral lands. Since 2002 when the Yelwa/Shendam crisis was birthed, Plateau State has known no peace and has been in the news for wrong reasons. Those in government pay lip services to the crisis and consistently engage in mere rhetoric. 

    Actually, the burning issues creating problems on the Plateau have been treated with levity for a long time. Until those in positions of authority and decision makers stop playing politics with human lives and confront the problems frontally, the energy invested will still result to constant motion without movement. 

    Have the governments at both the federal and state levels really defined and dimensioned the problems sufficiently and courageously? Not much has changed in the security architecture since 2015. Moreover, it appears that those in charge do not understand what the problem is or are part of it. The Bola Tinubu administration should do something fast and deal decisively with any killer group. Killing people and worse still in their sleep is extremely wicked. The government should show reasonable interest to end the crisis. The best honour to the dead is to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book. 

    Read Also: BREAKING: Chief Imam, Okada rider killed in fresh Plateau attack

    Since 2002, there was no evidence of the political will, strong determination or decisive action taken by government against murderous groups causing mayhem on the plateau. Plateau people are angry, tired and frustrated. There is a limit to their patience and endurance. They should not be left with the option of relying on self-help as a survival instinct. New strategy for peace is desirable without further delay. Politically, culturally or religiously motivated crisis with obvious political answers should not be left alone in the hands of security agencies to resolve. Communities who are victims of the heinous attacks should be actively involved in finding lasting peace. The attackers themselves should also be involved in the peace process by making known their own position, intents and grievances, if any. 

    That this dastardly act took place on the eve of a global religious joyous moment shows how morally bankrupt the killers are and the extent human lives have been devalued in our society. The security challenges confronting plateau has once again brought to fore the conversation around the need for state police. When the states are given direct control over the coercive powers and resources to confront security challenges under the constitution, it will be very easy to restore peace, order and deal decisively with terrorists or any destructive elements like the ones plying their destructive trade on the plateau. 

    • Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, sunnyeze02@yahoo.com 
  • Rivers people are not war mongers

    Rivers people are not war mongers

    SIR: Over the years, political transitions have heralded an era of hatred and bile. So, instead of consolidation of dividends of good – where they existed, all we have seen is the consideration of bad tempered politics and the elevation and promotion of shenanigans to art form.

    We lie, if we say that past political administrations in Rivers State, have not provided infrastructures during their terms. But the truth is that we’ve had hate-filled and inspired transitions. So, instead of consolidating on the efforts of their predecessors, the successor governments have rather spent energy and resources in a desperate effort to deconstruct and destroy the tokens of their predecessors.

    For how long, are we going to continue to wallow in hatred and political gridlocks? Should we continue to delude ourselves into believing that the people and their needs don’t matter? Why is it so difficult to appreciate that the pursuit of peace, is not as dramatic as the pursuit of war? When shall we accept the reality that hatred blurs vision, affects judgement and leads to misery for the people?

    Have we ever done a rain check on the cost of our different transition wars since the advent of the second republic politics? Do we even know how much others have benefited from our senseless political wars? Why is it so difficult for us to remember that peace is priceless? When will this naked dancing stop? How can Rivers State become the entertainment centre of the absurd arts of Nigeria?

    Let me say this, and without fear of contradiction, that I have enjoyed personal relationships with over 95% of the political leadership of Rivers State, since 1999. And can say that these are ordinarily pleasant gentlemen, who are proud Rivers people. What I find difficult to comprehend is the Frankenstein monster that power turns them into. The transmogrification is what the challenge is for me. It’s actually surprising to see the large and ardent followership they enjoy.

    Read Also: ‘You were never a speaker,’ Rivers Assembly mocks Fubara loyalist Ehie

    I’m therefore challenging these men and women to challenge themselves and turn on their patriotic sides and make Rivers State the centre of their politics. They can do it and we need to support them to stop hating. Rivers State needs the side of them that promotes peace and egalitarianism. Or are they not Rivers people again? When did the Rivers spirit depart from them? That exorcism should be self-reversed for the spirit of Port Harcourt to take over.

    Rivers people love life and I’m certain that even the political gladiators enjoy the Rivers spirit and we can easily see these at the political events. The pomp, pageantry and the music. It does not matter “whether e dey pain them as e dey sweet us” or “we dey our dey”, the most important thing is that “I believe”  “we get to dey our dey” as the hub of “milk and honey” in Nigeria.

    Let 2024, be that year when Rivers State became again, the centrepiece of our politics, and good governance the sole motivation of those who aspire to political power.

    Love is easier to pursue and make than war. Rivers people are lovers not warmongers. It’s not by accident that we love gardens and parties. Port Harcourt is the symbol of who we are – love, soft life, gardens and chivalry.

    Let us return to who we are and turn our back against hatred. It is easier to live in love and peace, than the stranger we are struggling to become. Fighting is strange to us. Peace is our natural forte. Let’s live it and let our brothers and sisters, who are near to us, be dear to us, so all our troubles will be miles away from us. And we shall be together again.

    • Wenenda Wali, Unity House Foundation, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
  • Extortion at military checkpoints

    Extortion at military checkpoints

    • By Fadeela Mustapha Lawan

    Sir: For years, Nigeria has struggled with insecurity and corruption, two problems that have deeply affected the country’s economy and its people. Despite efforts by the government to address these issues, they remain a major challenge for the nation. The Nigerian military has been praised for its efforts to combat insecurity and protect the country’s citizens, yet recent revelations of corruption within the have raised troubling questions about their activities.

    For many travellers and drivers, a stop at a military checkpoint can be a source of anxiety and dread. Military personnel are known to request bribes from travellers to guarantee a smooth journey.   Night time, in particular, brings a new level of danger for travellers and drivers. Not only are the roads more dangerous, but the threat of being asked to part for money at military checkpoints is also heightened. In the darkness, some personnel in uniform are more likely to request bribes, knowing that their actions are less likely to be seen or reported. But what is the cost of this corruption, both for the individuals affected and for the country as a whole?

    Bribery by military personnel at checking points can have a number of serious consequences. First, it undermines the military’s credibility and reputation, making it harder for the military to carry out its mission effectively. Furthermore, it creates a dangerous environment for the public, who may be targeted by criminals. Additionally, it can lead to an increase in crime and violence, as corrupt officials may use their power to extort money or goods from travellers. Over all, it can lead to a loss of public trust in the military and the government.

    Read Also: Osun APC blasts Aregbesola, says ex-gov dishonoured agreement by Tinubu, Akande

    There are few possible solutions that include increase in training and oversight for military personnel manning the checkpoints. This could include regular inspections to ensure that officials are made to follow proper procedures to either eliminate or at least reduce the possibility of extortion. Another is increasing penalties for officials caught taking bribes.

    Measures to increase transparency and accountability could also be implemented. This could include regular reports on the performance of the officials at the checkpoints. Another solution could be a public awareness campaign to educate travellers about their rights and what to do if they are asked for a bribe.

    •Fadeela Mustapha Lawan,

    Borno State University, Maiduguri.

  • Gloom in road safety and security sectors

    Gloom in road safety and security sectors

    • By Jiide Owatunmise

    Sir: Serious danger is looming in this country if the government at all levels continue to pay lip service to security and road safety issues. Global and local research reports reveal that over 80 per cent of road traffic crashes were caused by the human factors and over 70 percent of this was attributed to the drivers. It therefore means that if the human factors are effectively handled with uncompromised traffic law enforcement, about 70 percent of the road accident can be prevented. It is possible in Nigeria because some countries have done it successfully.

    Losing over 43,000 men and women, young and old on Nigeria roads with over 200,000 people suffering various degrees of injuries annually is no pleasant news at all. Quality prevention education and uncompromised enforcement still remains the sure antidote to the challenges of road traffic crashes globally.

    Between January and December, 2023, my team embarked on a research that took us to all the six geopolitical zones.

    In the course of the research, we observed the following: That over 70 per cent of the drivers on inter- state and street roads were guilty of unsafe speed; over 60 per cent of the drivers were guilty of lane weaving, lane split and other types of reckless driving; over 80 per cent of the drivers were guilty of lane indiscipline and over 80 per cent of the drivers were guilty of traffic light violation, particularly, running the red and stopping after the stop line.

    Moreover, over 80 per cent of the Very Important Personalities (VIPs) sampled, violated multiple traffic regulations. 

    Over 50 per cent of the drivers, particularly in the northern states have no valid drivers’ licence. Over 90 per cent of the private and commercial drivers did not know all the traffic signs and road markings.

    Over 60 per cent of the vehicles observed (and inspected) on interstate, intrastate and inter-city trips were not roadworthy in the real sense of it.

    There are no functional 24/7 road traffic management, road surveillance, incidents monitoring and emergency response system in any state in Nigeria.

    These and several other challenges in the transportation and road safety sectors are getting worse each passing day instead of improving. These are indeed clear indicators that the future is gloomy for Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation if serious attention is not paid by all and at every level of government to these challenges. 

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu arrests soldier, okada rider for driving against traffic

    Nigeria has satellite facilities (SAT 1 and SAT 2). Of what use have these been in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria?

    If the operators of the satellite system cannot structure effectively for adequate surveillance and surveillance detection, they should be replaced with more skilled experts who can turn the Sat 1 and Sat 2 to assets in the fight against all forms of insecurity in Nigeria.

    With the satellite system, it is possible to monitor the happenings on every street in and around Nigeria. With the right use, crimes can be prevented, detected and the culprits apprehended wherever they are in Nigeria.

    With the satellite systems Nigeria has and proper synergy with security operatives, Nigeria can easily, quickly and sustainably become a safe haven for all residents in the cities, towns, villages and even remote farms.

    Government should without delay pay adequate attention to all issues relating to transportation, road safety and security in Nigeria to avoid the looming nightmares worse than Boko Haram and insurgency. 

    •Jiide Owatunmise,

    Professional Driving and Safety Academy,

    Ikorodu, Lagos State.

  • Call Ogbomoso’s Police Monitoring Squad to order

    Call Ogbomoso’s Police Monitoring Squad to order

    • By Abubakar Y Ahmed

    Sir: The activities of the Monitoring Squad of the Nigeria Police, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, are giving the people of the town concerns and the earlier the top brass of the Nigeria Police Force calls them to order the better. Few years ago, Nigeria witnessed anti-SARS’ revolt with concomitant losses of lives and properties. Ogbomoso was not left out of the revolt. The government promptly intervened by disbanding the organization and in its place introduced Monitoring Squad which was expected to be more civil and cautious in its relationship with the public.

    Read Also: Osun APC blasts Aregbesola, says ex-gov dishonoured agreement by Tinubu, Akande

    However, it appears that the Monitoring Squad in Ogbomoso has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. Instead, it has been behaving to type, extorting money from both the accused and the complainants. The squad office has been turned into a bank of sorts where heavy fines are being paid. The squad takes pride in arresting timber lorries or any vehicle dealing with planks, Okada riders and turning itself into a court of law and imposing stringent fines on their victims including Yahoo boys and girls. They even harass complainants and all phones are collected before complainants can enter their office. This especially is an infringement on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians. This is a clarion call on the Nigeria Police to call its squad to order. 

    •Abubakar Y Ahmed,

    Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

  • Sanwo-Olu’s major task in year 2024

    Sanwo-Olu’s major task in year 2024

    • By Bukola Ajisola

    Sir: There can be no reinventing the business environment of any state without effective land administration. The antediluvian concept of treating landed assets as a commodity for family inheritance, a means of measuring social status and not a factor of production is a singular misguided vitiating element in the economic emancipation of Lagos State.

    Lagos has no business in debt financing to the extent of leading other states in raising the country debt burdens to the present unsustainable levels. Land is like the oil that Lagos is endowed with but every past governor of Lagos State including Governor Sanwo-Olu could not connect its intrinsic value to the larger productive economy.

    Only Babatunde Fashola got it right but was quickly distracted and abandoned the course. For Lagos State to function like any modern city of her status, Sanwo-Olu must immediately commence revocation of all land that are not developed that litter the whole city and continue to threaten the liveability index status of Lagos in the comity of nations.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu arrests soldier, okada rider for driving against traffic

    Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike has started this in Abuja, if he doesn’t abandon it, Abuja could overtake Lagos as a better investment destination in the foreseeable future.

    Maybe Lagos State should desist from placing Land Use Charge notices on practically every property in the city without any unenforceable roadmaps. The results would be exponential if they concentrate efforts on the undeveloped plots which are mostly exempted from the charges.

    A defective land administration is a major disincentive to investment and a reducing agent for IGR. Lagos IGR ought to be in multiples of trillions but today it is what it is. In the year 2024, the governor should bring Lagos out of this complacency and write his legacy in gold.

    •Bukola Ajisola,

    bukymany@yahoo.com

  • As bandits relocate to Taraba and the Plateau 

    As bandits relocate to Taraba and the Plateau 

    By Zayyad I. Muhammad

    SIR: Recently, the media have been awash with the news of bandits’ daring attacks in Taraba and Plateau states. On November 24, 2023, it was reported that gunmen in their numbers attacked and killed 20 people in the Yangtu Development Area of the Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State. On the early hours of Tuesday, December 19, 2023, gunmen attacked Pupule community in Yoro Local Government Area of the same Taraba State, kidnapped Umaru Nyala, the chief of Yorro chiefdom, and also abducted 22 other people.

    Though the Taraba State Police Command and other security operatives killed over 50 bandits terrorising villages along the corridor of Bali Local Government Area on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, a month after, on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, a group of bandits stormed the Gondon Maliki weekly market in Taraba State, kidnapped scores of people, and carted away food and wares using motorcycles.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, while condemning the gruesome murder of over 100 people on the Plateau said, ‘the bandits seem to be ahead of the government’.

    To be fair to all the Nigerian security operatives, they’ve done an excellent job in the Northwest’s states of Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina, facing the menace of the bandits. These states have witnessed a visible improvement in security in areas being terrorised by the bandits, and the Abuja-Kaduna highway is secured while the Niger axis is a little bit silent.

    Read Also; New Year: Gov Alia pardons 12 inmates

    It appears that the military and other security onslaughts on the bandits and other terrorists have killed many of their leaders, and they have dispersed to the northeast axis and some parts of the plateau. Why did the bandits settle in these areas, especially the northern parts of Taraba State—Yorro, Lau, Jalingo, and Ardo Kola local government areas? Is it due to its topography, location or economy? Taraba State is among the poorest states in Nigeria but rich in agriculture and forestry. Probably the bandits found solace in Taraba due to its uniqueness in geography and agricultural activities. Furthermore, the Cameroonian mountains, which stretch almost the entire northern and southern parts of Taraba, linking the state with the River Niger, will certainly provide a hiding place for criminals, bandits in particular.

    The state, federal, and local communities should work together; collaboration is key to security management. For example, at its 8th and 9th meetings held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on September 9, 2023, and in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, on November 24 and 25, 2023, the Northeast Governors’ Forum expressed its concern about the new dimension of growing banditry in Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba states as a result of the concerted efforts of the military on neutralising the bandits from other parts of the country. The governors called on the federal government to intervene and promised to work with and support all security agencies.

    Managing security in a vast country like Nigeria with inadequate modern technology for security management is difficult, and our security operatives cannot be everywhere and anywhere at the same time. So what is the solution?

    The reinvigoration of the kinetic and non-kinetic security approaches by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has resulted in many successes and breakthroughs; however, more intelligence gathering is needed; community engagement and direct communication with the bandits should be employed.

    In community engagement, the model being used by the Umaru Fintiri-led Adamawa State government in tackling farmer-herder conflict should be adopted; the community should be made to feel part of the solution in security management, thus providing intelligence and also being a watchdog for security operatives without being endangered.

    Secondly, the reported ongoing. ‘soft approach’ should be sustained, and, in direct communication with the bandits, most of them now also use social media; thus, a kind of smooth operation should be launched by the ONSA and other relevant bodies to recruit people who speak the languages of bandits to send convincing messages to them on the ills, disadvantages, and evils associated with their dangerous ‘trade’ while showing them the beauty and benefits being enjoyed by their ‘kind’ who adopt normal lives, go to school both western and religious, but still maintain their culture, beliefs, and inherited legal trade. Furthermore, radio and TV are also still tools to reach the bandits, as satellite TV and solar power technology have now made it possible to watch or listen to the world, wherever one is- bandits, hiding in thick forests, use solar power and satellite technology to charge their phones, watch TV and listen to the radio.

    • Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja.

  • On the trending Mama Chukwudi story

    On the trending Mama Chukwudi story

    By Zayd Ibn Isah

    SIR: The social media has been agog with the story of a woman identified as Mama Chukwudi said to have rejected the gift of a car from her undergraduate son. Apparently, the young man had bought the car as a surprise gift for his mother, intending to show that he had finally “made it” in life. But to his surprise, his mother did not jump with joy at the sight of the gift; she did not shout at the top of her voice either; the neighbours did not troop out in their numbers to see “what the Lord had done for her”. Instead of asking Chukwudi to kneel so she could bless him with prayers, Mama Chukwudi simply asked to know how her son had been able to buy a car. She asked because it was puzzling how a child, whom she sent to school to study, had mysteriously made enough money to buy a brand new car. And when the son could not tell her the truth, Mama Chukwudi told him that she could not accept his gift.

    Mama Chukwudi’s rare act of integrity won her praises from different angles, even though some people were of the opinion that she should not have rejected the car gift. Those who reasoned this way believed that the young man might actually be into cryptocurrency trading or other online-based ventures, as we live in an era where people can make legitimate money from the comfort of their homes with smartphones, laptops and an internet connection.

    We live in a society of people with unexplained wealth sources. The get-rich-quick syndrome has reached feverish pitch, especially among the younger ones. According to a 2017 article, statistics from The Nigerian Police traced a majority of online fraudulent activity to areas populated by Nigerian undergraduate students. As worrisome as this is, the societal disposition towards online fraud and wealth in general is even more disturbing.

    Read Also; I’ll justify the trust Nigerians place on me – Tinubu

    For one, most parents hardly attempt to question their children’s sources of income. Rather, they prefer to justify any evidence of success with such vague statements as, “It is by the grace of God o.”  This predisposition runs parallel to that of regular people who not only glorify rich individuals, but also aspire to what they view as the only way to live life. A visit to certain night clubs and social gatherings (particularly wedding and burial ceremonies) will expose one to ostentatious displays of wealth, as well as the shameless ways Nigerians grovel before such exhibitions.

    This is all the more reason why we should celebrate Mama Chukwudi for setting a different standard, especially at a time when the mothers of certain “Yahoo Boys” are forming associations to protect their children’s interests. We should all celebrate Mama Chukwudi in this era where some parents pressure their children to emulate, by any means necessary, their peers who buy cars and build mansions for themselves and their parents. There is no doubt that we live in troubling times of low morality and integrity. And as such, Mama Chukwudi should become a compelling model of parental discipline and personal integrity.

    Mama Chukwudi¼s refusal of the car gift gains even more significance if it can be proven that her son acquired his wealth fraudulently. In fact, the whole experience could serve as a catalyst for him to introspect and mend his ways. To curb this rabid societal eagerness for wealth by any means, it is crucial to encourage a culture of scrutiny towards individuals’ income sources, as opposed to a culture of celebrating wealth without ever asking questions.

    Moreover, relieving children of the pressure to match their peers’ material success can contribute to a much needed paradigm shift in terms of how we value wealth, especially when simply being rich guarantees one a certain level of respect and consideration. In revitalizing our society’s moral fabric, parents — as key influencers of any child’s mental development, should always play a pivotal role. This is because fostering an environment that values ethical pursuits over mere accumulation of riches is paramount to the stability of any progressive society.

    • Zayd Ibn Isah, lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • Silence as the enemy

    Silence as the enemy

    By Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem

    SIR: Silence is the enemy when you keep quiet against human rights violations in your communities and don’t confront it. Silence is the enemy when you keep quiet against bad governance in your communities.

    Silence is the enemy when you keep quiet against injustices committed by security agencies, political leaders, community leaders and the elites in your communities.

    Silence is the enemy when you know those who sell hard drugs destroying the lives of the youths in your communities and say nothing about it.

    Silence is the enemy when you know criminals who commit atrocities in your communities and do nothing about it. Silence is the enemy when you know corrupt colleagues in the civil service and do nothing to stop it.

    Read Also; I’ll justify the trust Nigerians place on me – Tinubu

    Silence is the enemy when you know staffers in courts who collect illegal fees for affidavits and oaths in courts and do nothing about it.

    Silence is the enemy when you know police stations across the 36 States and 774 Local Govt. Areas that collect money for bails that are not accounted for and you keep quiet as an officer of the law and an advocate of justice.

    Silence is the enemy when you engage in corruption as a civil servant and a private sector actor.

    Silence is the enemy when you can’t say truth to power because those in power are of your ethnic, tribal and religious affiliations.

    Silence is the enemy when you can’t summon the courage to hold your political leaders accountable. Silence is the enemy when you know civil servants who demand bribe to do their jobs and you don’t report them. Silence is the enemy when you know lecturers who demand sex from students or collect money to pass students and you don’t report them.

    Silence is the enemy why the Nigeria of your dream hasn’t come to reality because you remain silent and refuse to action to confront it.

    • Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, <karfeyio@gmail.com>

  • Call for African unity and identity reconstruction

    Call for African unity and identity reconstruction

    Sir: Gideon Adeyemi’s revolutionary journey across various African states, advocating for the dismantling of colonial boundaries, serves as a powerful inspiration. Africa’s separation originates from the Berlin Conference, where European powers convened to arbitrarily partition the continent. This colonial endeavour disrupted the natural evolution of states in Africa, imposing artificial boundaries that disregarded ethnic, cultural, and historical affinities among various communities. The consequences of this division continue to reverberate across the continent.

    Colonial boundaries have significantly impeded trade in Africa. The expansionist agenda of colonialists forced ethnic groups with shared historical and cultural ties to be divided along these partitions. As a result, nations that would have naturally engaged in trade and collaboration found themselves separated, hindering economic development and fostering a sense of fragmentation.

    The damage caused by colonial partitioning extends to social and identity realms. Communities with shared historical origins now find themselves constrained within different national identities. During the post-independence era, African countries faced challenges in integrating regions with similar historical backgrounds, leading to confusion and conflicts over cultural and historical affiliations.

    Colonial borders have been a source of territorial conflicts in Africa. Examples such as the Bakassi-Peninsula border conflict between Nigeria and Cameroon, the South Sudan-Uganda conflict, and the Somalia-Ethiopia territorial disputes illustrate the deep-seated issues arising from arbitrary boundary demarcations. These conflicts often lead to humanitarian crises and hinder collective progress.

    The political landscape in post-colonial Africa was shaped by the merger of diverse ethnic groups with different orientations and cultures. This forced integration has often led to power struggles, internal conflicts, and challenges in nation-building. The institutionalisation of these divisions during colonialism laid the groundwork for post-colonial xenophobia and internal hostility.

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    The roots of xenophobia and internal hostility in post-colonial Africa can be traced back to the institutionalisation of divisions during colonial rule. Communities that once shared commonalities were forced into different national identities, breeding mistrust and animosity. The legacy of these divisions continues to manifest in contemporary society, hindering social cohesion.

    To address the repercussions of colonial partitioning, there is an urgent need for African nations to renegotiate their shattered identities. This involves acknowledging shared historical and cultural ties across borders and fostering a sense of unity and collaboration. Reconstructing a collective African identity requires visionary leaders committed to transcending colonial legacies.

    Unfortunately, some individuals within African societies are more inclined to defend the colonial legacy than to dismantle it. This resistance poses a significant challenge to efforts aimed at renegotiating a unified African identity. Overcoming this resistance requires comprehensive educational initiatives, fostering awareness of the detrimental impacts of colonialism on collective progress.

    In present-day Africa, what is needed most is a complete detachment from colonial exploiters. It is crucial to recognise that colonial boundaries are arbitrary delineations that do not define the true essence of African identity. Visionary leadership is paramount in steering the continent towards unity, economic collaboration, and the reconstruction of a collective identity that transcends artificial colonial divisions.

    Breaking the colonial partitions that continue to hinder Africa’s progress requires a multifaceted approach. Understanding the historical roots, acknowledging the social, economic, and political consequences, and actively working towards renegotiating a unified African identity are essential steps. Visionary leaders must lead the charge in dismantling the remnants of colonialism, fostering a sense of unity, and paving the way for a prosperous and united Africa.

    • Matthew Alugbin, PhD,  Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State.