Most times when I listen or read about the history of my country, I feel amazed and speechless. As a country, we have had so many challenges just like every other country and it’s really sad to see that we grew to a point and now it seems like we are stagnant and even doing worst than how we started. Nigeria as a country was once known to be the giant of Africa. We had so many things to pride ourselves about but these days, things are no longer as it used to be.
Since Nigeria became independent, we faced so many challenges and it is mostly as a result of leadership and also because we chose to make enemies of ourselves. In Nigeria, we have over 250 ethnic groups but 3 major ethnic groups which are the Igbo, Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba. In school, while we were learning about the history of our country, we were made to understand that after Nigeria gained independence, it struggled with disunity. One of the major ethnic groups (Igbo which are the easterners) felt oppressed and not well regarded despite their major contribution to things.
As a result of this, this ethnic group resolved to fight and stand up for what they want and that resulted in the formation of a group called the Biafra. This group was created to fight against the government and this resulted in the Biafra war also called the Nigerian civil war which lasted for three good years. This war was one of the most scariest wars we have experienced in our country and millions of lives were lost. I remember when our parents and uncles that were alive then will tell us stories of how hard life was for them and how they managed to survive.
This war only ended because the Biafra people surrendered and finally accepted the reality that the Nigerian government was stronger and also because of the intervention of some other countries. Till date, people are still worried about the biafra people waking up one day to try to challenge the Nigerian government again or even other rebels ethnic group thereby affecting every citizen of Nigeria. Like we heard, people were traumatized from that experience and that has put fears in the heart of many that something similar might happen again.
All of these things had a really huge negative effect on the citizens of Nigeria and even her economy. Due to the lack of unity amongst us, we lost so many lives and assets. It took the Igbo so much courage and effort to make their voices heard and till tomorrow, most of them still hold grudges against other ethnic groups particularly the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba people and vice versa. And this has been a very big problem in different ways. It is a problem because there was a history that wasn’t a good one but then, I also feel that this history should also be the reason why we will learn to do better than our fathers.
There are so many ways I believe my country can make things better and embrace growth. One of them is, we as a citizens and groups should learn to put things behind us. I know I wasn’t there when our ancestors were going through so much torture and pain but then, the deed has been done and if they really care about their descendants, the best thing to do is to let all these pain behind us and seek for better ways to make our voices heard and also to carry everyone along.
Also, we should learn to accept others for who they are and not by where they are from or what their ancestors have done. In earlier centuries, people were very concerned about the ethnic group a person belongs to and this is not so they can foster unity but instead, it is important to them because they want to know who they are so they can avoid them and if possible fight against them. Luckily for us, things are getting a little bit better because more people are becoming enlightened by the day.
Unless we want history to repeat itself, we as Nigerians and all the ethnic groups have to accept one another and work in unity, letting go of the past that is already behind us. We all lost our people during the war so let’s try to make those sacrifices count. I know peace is hard to accept once the war is declared but then, we can do better. If not for anything, let’s think about our children and their children.
This is my response to the Hivelearners topic on ”A LITTLE HISTORY”.
Thanks for reading through. ❤️
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Hey there, Hopey. Yeah, maybe Nigeria was once the giant of Africa. But now? 😂😂😂 Anyone who says Nigeria is the giant of Africa should be flogged.
Disunity has been the major cause of problems in Nigeria. Just like you mentioned, we have over 250 ethnic groups- Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo are the major ones. I agree with you that we should not judge people based on where they are from, but who they are. This is what many Nigerians did during the last Presidential election.
I hope we learn from our mistakes.
Thanks for sharing, Hopey.❤️
Guyyy! That’s just it. Anyone that says that now will loose a tooth. 😂
Yeah, that’s true. The last election we say tribalism at its peak. I hope we learn and when next we get the opportunity, we do better.
Thanks for your contribution, love. 🫂
It can be more, but at least one. 😂🤲
A lot of wrong is going on especially by the government, then they intentionally push the agenda of tribe and even religion so as to distract the gullible masses to fight the wrong wars.
If the government did well, trust me very few people will care about your tribe before giving you work or helping you.
But because so many people want the job including your tribesmen and there isn't abundance, the individual begins to check tribe and so on.
That’s true, sadly.
The problem is already there, I hope we as individuals try to change things from our end when we get the opportunity to.
WOW 😲! This is just WOW for me. Because when I looked at the topic the only thing that came to my mind was the Biafran war. Now I just came to view other people's posts only to see that you also did the same thing. I really added more light to all the things that I have said in my own post for this edition.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
Oh! That’s great. I’d check out your post to read what you shared then. 🥰
Thank you for stopping by, mama. ❤️
Awesome people 👏
To be honest, I don't really understand the history of the country, but after I read your post, there are still many things that need to be improved after your country becomes independent, starting from the leadership at the top to the bottom, indeed in every country there must be several tribes and ethnicities, of course we must respect and respect each other.
You’re right. We do need fixing of things from bottom to top rather from the top to bottom.
Thank you for your comment. 🥰
Greetings, Leadership is the major cause of our problems in Nigeria and it's only God that will help the leaders turn away from awful attitudes and start thinking positively about the citizens.
I don’t think so though but I do agree that the leadership has a part in the problems we are having in our country.
I hope we all learn to do what is right regardless of our leaders.
Yeah. They are too and we learning to do right regardless of our leaders.
But leadership might be the major cause, that's what I think
Yeah? Most people think the leaders are the problem so I’m not surprised.
Either ways, I hope things get better.
Alright. Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. 🥰
Ethnic groups is the major problem we are having for us to achieve what we want you need to be united and realize we are one Nigeria
Indeed. I pray God help us find a solution to this problem someday.
Amen sis
The problem is at a general level, as always the leaders of the countries complicate everything, they have their own agenda. It is necessary for people to have more critical thinking and begin to work for a future in common, for everyone's well -being, I see the solution in that.
I see a solution in that too.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. 🥰
Thank you. 🥰
The countries whose rulers were good have progressed. If we look, India has also developed a lot and Bangladesh has also developed a lot, but Nigeria has also remained and our country has not been able to develop that much.
We hope that someday the leaders will see the need to change and do better.
I actually didn't know much about Nigeria but I learned a lot from reading your post. It is really not easy to move forward together with so many groups and tribes. Everyone has to stay together and make the right decisions, only then will the country move forward. Moreover, there must be rule of law so that the country can move forward in an orderly manner.
There is a rule of law but sadly, the corruption is too much that it can be bypassed and even ignored by some people.
I’m glad you were able to learn a few things from this post and also share your thoughts and contribution. 🥰