Mirian, you invited me into this
conversation, and I apologize for taking this long to respond. While I fully appreciate
the environmental causes of conflict detailed by Theo, and the entitlement
mentality mentioned by Greg, from my perspective, Zainab has best captured the
essence of the matter and I align myself with much of what she has so lucidly pointed
out.
Well, here’s my personal opinion –
you’ll notice how personal it gets as you read along.
The problem is not environmental.
The problem is not poverty. These are combustibles that fuel the fire. The problem that started the fire is education,
or more aptly, a lack of it. It begins with a succession of failed Northern
leaders, each one too shortsighted to appreciate the cumulative effects of
ineffective governance as evidenced in the abysmal, ineffectual education
policies that have resulted in today’s embarrassing rates of illiteracy. I am
talking about leaders whose only claim to fame and power has been through the
barrel of a gun (brute force) or through the deployment of deluded hordes that
have been conditioned over the years by strategically coordinated campaigns of
religious intolerance and ethnocentrism. Such leaders are threatened by any new
order, and will deploy all they have to forestall any move that will result in
heightened citizen awareness. You could well compare them to a half-literate
man who is threatened by his wife’s increasing awareness through education, and
then resorts to beating her (violence) and refusing her further access to
higher education (frustration of growth) – the primordial principle of muscle over
mind.
Let me make a few other observations,
though.
The oversimplification of Nigeria
into “three main tribal groups, the Christian Igbos, the Muslim Hausa, and the
mixed Yoruba” is actually untrue and misleading. The Hausa in the past have
been officially estimated to constitute 21% of the population; Yoruba, 21%;
Ibo, 18%; Fulani, 12%; Ijaw, 10%; Kanuri, 4.1%; Ibibio, 3.6%; Tiv, 2.5%; and
others, 18.7%. Today we know that these projections are fallacious and
politically motivated, democracy being a game of numbers.
Here are a few noteworthy facts:
1. There
are MANY Hausa Christians, many more than you would imagine, in Kano, Katsina,
Kebbi, etc.
2. The
Christian population of indigent Nigerians in the Northeast (Adamawa, Bauchi,
Gombe, Borno, Taraba), if not more than the Muslim population, is certainly
equal to it. A proper census, excluding the millions of illegal immigrants from
Niger and Chad, would present a truer picture.
3. Fact
is, all of the other tribes put together actually could amount to >50% of
Nigeria’s population. I am Pabur/Burra. Although my tribe is spread across five
states in Northern Nigeria, many Nigerians will tell you they’ve never heard of
us. We are predominantly Christian, have a sizable Muslim population, and we
get along okay. The same holds for over three hundred other tribes in Nigeria.
4. One
reason for the assumption by foreigners and some Southern Nigerians that the
North is predominantly Hausa is the mode of dressing. We all dress the same. I
wear khaftans a lot. Both my wife and mother love using veils. But we are
NEITHER Hausa nor Fulani and we are proudly Christian.
5. A
second reason for this misconception is that Hausa is the lingua franca in most
of Northern Nigeria. It is the vernacular that is understood almost everywhere
up north.
If it were left to the “big
three,” Nigeria would have split up a long time ago. I believe the so-called Northern
Minority tribes are the glue that keeps it all together.
1. These minorities (predominantly Christian) are
Northerners geographically, yet they share the bond of religion with many
Southerners. I, for example, am as comfortable with my Ibo brother as I am with
my Northern brother. In fact, in some cases, due to years of perceived inequity
and injustice due to religious bigotry in the North, I may find myself more
closely aligned (and willing to trust) my Christian (or even Muslim) Southern
brother in certain matters, than my supposed regional brother. Why? Because I
would consider him less likely to align with someone across the border (say, in
Cameroun or Benin Republic), in order to oppress me. On the contrary, I may not
be that confident of my Muslim Northern brother who openly displays a greater
sense of solidarity with the Chadian or Nigerien (because of religion) than
with me. Unfortunate, but true.
2. In
the past, these lines actually overlapped and blurred sometimes, because a
Muslim Minority Northerner seemed to enjoy an elevated status over a Christian
Minority Northerner. States like Benue and Plateau that were predominantly
Christian had their minor internal ethnic struggles on farmland and boundary
issues, but they never resulted in the sort of strategic, coordinated attacks
carried out by Maitatsine or Boko Haram who, incidentally, made no secret of
the fact that theirs was/is a religious agenda. Their primary targets have
always been Christian Northerners and non-Muslim Southerners. Their
goal…strategically decimate the Northern Christian population by forcefully
converting them, or simply eliminating those who will not convert. The sheer size
of the population of Northern Christians, and their fraternization with their Northern-based
Southern brethren, makes Boko Haram’s attempts laughable. I should point out,
at this point, that the act of suicide bombing is in itself a concession to the
fact that the adversary (the bombed) is greater than the bomber. The reasoning is
such, “Since I clearly cannot defeat them physically, let me hurt them and see
if I can instill fear in them, thereby breaking their spirit.”
3. East,
west, home is best, they say. Well, for the Northern Nigerian minorities, the North
is still home, religious persecution and ethnocentrism notwithstanding. We do
not intend to go anywhere else.
4. The
Northern Minorities showed remarkable restraint and maturity (as they always
have) by not allowing Boko Haram to turn them against their non-Minority,
Muslim Northern brothers. We now understand the dynamics and will no longer be
used to fight another man’s war. Yes, indeed, we have our differences, but they
are not unresolvable, and progress is being made in the area of mutual respect
and understanding.
Northern Nigerian minorities are
caught betwixt and between. Many times treated as second-class citizens back at
home in the North, we regard the South as allies who can check the excesses of the
radical Muslim Northerners who are hell-bent on creating the impossible – an
Islamic Nigeria. In view of all of these, it would be an affront to our
sensibilities to attempt to depict Boko Haram as simply the result of environmental
degradation. Ethnic militias are not a new thing in Nigeria. Nether are Islamic
fundamentalist militias in the North. Where did they spring from? What kind of
society produced them? Why has there been so much bloodshed in the North?
Let’s look at the North more
closely.
I grew up in a North where a lady
could not walk some streets wearing a skirt or trousers. She would be trailed
by street urchins chanting, “Matan kurege, biri da wando!” meaning, “Squirrel’s
wife, monkey wearing trousers!” In quite a few cases, they would even throw
stones at her! I witnessed it with horror many times. Even as late as the
eighties, in the University of Maiduguri (no less!), I remember female students
being attacked by Islamic extremists on campus for not dressing
“appropriately.”
I also remember when I was in the
University of Maiduguri, in the late eighties, when young boys whom we called
"Yaro" boys roamed all over campus, willing to do little odd jobs
like washing dishes or running errands. I wondered whose they were and what
sort of future they might have. I was told they were Almajiris. I wondered why
they were not in school. Today, I wonder if those boys, who must be in their
mid-thirties now, do not make up the bulk of Boko Haram's fighter force.
I grew up in a North where
Southerners were referred to in Hausa as “kwari,” meaning insects. We, Northern
Minorities, were referred to as “kabilu” (tribesmen), though only God knows by
what term they referred to us in private.
Now let’s move to the present. I must admit that it has been many, many years since I last heard anyone use the offfensive term "kwari." A tentative step in the right direction..?
Not
too long ago, I was challenged by Raphael Ossusens, one of my supervisors
(South-southerner), for having a predominantly Northern workforce. I was quite
shocked, because I had never viewed my staff from that perspective before. I explained to
him that most of my groundskeepers/gardeners had come to me through Matthew, my oldest serving gardener
(17 years now), and I believe that Matthew had simply pooled from those whom he
knew he could personally rely on not to disappoint him (he knows that I
tolerate no form of tardiness!). I assured Raphael that there was no sinister
agenda, reminding him how when I appointed him as supervisor over all of them,
even though he had been with me for only two and a half years, they had all
accepted it. He was quite satisfied with my explanation, but that got me
thinking. Apparently we Nigerians see things through the eyes of region,
ethnicity or religion. So, in order to properly vindicate myself, I decided to employ a Northern Muslim since all but one of my workers
were Christian, lest I be tagged an ethno-religious bigot.
I had asked the security men at
the gate to get me someone who could do some menial work at my home, and they
introduced me to Ahmed who initially began work for me as a laundryman, occasionally
washing my vehicle in the mornings. I asked him if he’d like to learn gardening
and join my team. He was delighted. I introduced him to the boys, instructed
them to observe his propensity for diligence, and dispatched them to site. On
the third day, while driving back from site with him, we began discussing the
day’s events. He had actually, earlier shown some initiative by repairing a pipe that had been mistakenly burst while digging. He related to me how he went to a
small hardware store to ask if he could get a short length of pvc pipe,
to which the store owner (an Igbo man) insisted he pay a small amount. Ahmed
was outraged! Why must he pay for this little piece of piping, which was most
probably picked off the ground in a building site!? He concluded his narrative
with a statement of indignation in Hausa, saying, “Rankadade, ama kabilun nan
ba su da hankali!” meaning “Sir, these tribesmen (non-Hausa) are of bad
character!” He had blurted it out before it occurred to him that his boss was
actually a ‘Chief Tribesman.’ Ahmed's attempt to correct himself was hilarious, to
say the least. He quickly added, “Gaskiya, Rankadade, um.. um.. um.. Inyamirai din nan sun
chika son kudi!” meaning, “Of a truth, Sir, these Igbo people like money too
much!”
First he had unwittingly shoved
me outside his “circle of approval” then, upon realizing his mistake, he attempted
to smuggle me back in. How? By denigrating the Igbo man! Upside down reasoning! When I came back home, I pondered over this unfortunate delusional thought
process, and silently cursed whoever it was that had sown such a terrible seed in
the young man’s life. He was operating as he best knew, speaking from the heart.
Does Ahmed represent the average Hausa or Fulani Northern Muslim?
Ahmed was not born thinking this
way. He was conditioned over time to believe that somehow, being Hausa made him
superior to all other tribes. This engendered a feeling of entitlement.
Entitled to what!? It is this same kind of thinking that goes on in the head of
the street beggars who believe that they are actually helping you to fulfill
your religious obligation of giving alms. This mindset became more evident as
Ahmed would shirk his duties, working basically when he chose to. After
reprimanding him a couple times, I gave up. Why should one out of fifteen
workers consider himself entitled to special treatment? The final straw was
when he failed, unlike all of my other workers, to produce someone who would
stand for him as a guarantor. I simply had to let Ahmed go.
Now, a caveat. It would be a
gross injustice to incorrectly label all Kanuris, Hausas, Fulanis or,indeed, Muslims simply as a result
of the failings of some of them. We would then be guilty of the same folly as
the unfortunate deluded ones. I am delighted to note that there have always been a large number of Hausas, Kanuris, Fulanis and Muslims who were totally against such boorish behavior. I must also admit that there have been a number of Minorities (Pabur/Burra, Margi
and Higgi) in cahoots with Boko Haram. Such idiots cannot be used to define
me! In the same vein, Boko Haram must not be used to define the Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim North. The current successes against Boko Haram would never have been possible
without the support and involvement of the Borno Youth Vigilante Group (Civilian
JTF) and well-meaning Northern Muslims who provided reliable intelligence.
I fondly remember a Muslim friend of mine in
the University of Maiduguri, with whom I would debate for hours on end, with no
animosity. We would sit on the back steps of our hostel in the evening, sharing
a cigarette, and discussing faith issues amongst other things. It was such that
when I eventually left Maiduguri, I particularly asked him to put a protective
eye on my younger sister who had just gained admission. I can give many other
examples of Muslim men and women who Nigeria is blessed to possess. I’m sure
you’ve got your own endless list too. I am of the distinct opinion that the
majority of educated Northern Muslims are far from radical. Having been properly educated
and/or enjoyed such international exposure that ensures wider and loftier perspectives, these are the ones that are ever willing (and able) to work towards a stable, peaceful, balanced, and prosperous society. Of course their numbers may pale in comparison to the hordes of highly
indoctrinated, illiterate “free radicals” who give the rest a bad name. The influence of the enlightened ones, however, can be significant. I guess
it is more up to the “good ones” than anybody else to work towards redeeming
their significantly battered image. A good place to start, methinks, would be
reorientation. Each one, reach one.
Why is it that with the more
recent overwhelming successes of the Nigerian Military in decimating the ranks
of Boko Haram, so many closet radicals are still grudging in openly commending and
supporting our troops? Granted, while the liberated communities are rejoicing on the one
hand, they still remain skeptical on the other hand, because they are
distrusting of some of their local and state government officials whom they
believe are in cahoots with Boko Haram. Remember, it is a fact that Boko Haram kingpin Kabiru
Umar, alias Kabir Sokoto, mastermind of the St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church
bombing in Madalla, was arrested in the Borno State Liaison office in Asokoro,
Abuja. Why would he confidently run to a State Liaison for refuge? It defies explanation!! This is a
man whom investigations later revealed was "Governor" of Sokoto State according
to the Boko Haram hierarchy!!!
So, ultimately, who exactly are
the major culprits? I believe we should turn the spotlight on those community, village,
local government, religious, business and political leaders who know they cannot sustain
their undeserved influence in a more highly evolved, enlightened society and,
as such, hide behind religion and ethnicity (whichever suits them best) in
order to remain relevant and in control. They will use their exalted positions
to frustrate any move to liberate the people that they so easily control,
especially if it is through the enlightenment that good education provides. They
do not want a level playing field, because they know their level. So, if it
suits their immediate agenda, they will conveniently let the “yaro boys” do
their dirty work by convincing them that … “Boko Haram” - “Western Education is
Sin.”
But now we know. And they know that
we all know. The game is up. NEVER AGAIN!
Why can’t we all just get along? I
love Fulani culture and appreciate their history. I respect them, as long as
they respect me. I’ve read about Usman Dan Fodio and his military prowess. I also
read that El Kanemi disagreed with him over the jihad, and they debated the
issue intellectually. That doesn’t mean that Kanuris hate Fulanis! This is the archived
history available to me. There is, however, some other history that was handed
down to us through generations. I come
from a community that never bowed to Dan Fodio’s warriors (we lost territory
once but recovered it all, and more, within a span of 7 years) and am proudly
descended from a warrior great-grandfather who was arrested and exiled by the
British for opposing Fulani rule. That doesn’t mean that Pabur/Burra hate the
Fulani. Much to the chagrin of many of my loved ones, my preferred candidate
for the Adamawa Gubernatorial elections is Nuhu Ribadu, a Fulani man. Leaving the faulty processes that led to his gubernatorial candidacy aside, I regard Nuhu Ribadu primarily as a fearless performer with a recognizable, established track record who just happens to be a Fulani Muslim. If I regard his
ethnicity and religion as a crime, then shouldn't I be adjudged guilty of the same ethnocentrism and
religious bigotry that I decry?
I love metamorphosis because,
many times, it is not immediately noticed. The caterpillar in the cocoon does not
realise that wings are developing until, one clear morning, he/she unfurls those crisp new wings as a butterfly! In like manner, I believe that a lot has changed and
is still changing in the North. Citizen awareness is higher than ever before.
How do I know? Last year’s assassination attempts on Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and General
Buhari in Kaduna, clearly calculated to spark confusion, were met with a calm,
measured response by the Muslim community. Years ago, it would have resulted in
a bloodbath.
Intermarriage is another key
factor. Since in Africa, marriage is not just a union of two individuals but of
two families, cross-cultural unions over the years have increased appreciation
for other cultures and essentially improved levels of tolerance.
Education, however, remains the
single most important key to unlocking a future of ethno-religious harmony in
Northern Nigeria. Education brings enlightenment and many anti-developmental
demons are exorcised simply by “switching on the light.” Starting at the
primary level, children must be taught to appreciate individual distinctions
and peculiarities, and the value of tolerance. Positive aspects of other
cultures should somehow be fitted into the curriculum.
Finally, reorientation must be
aggressive, sustained and carefully coordinated at all levels nationwide. Christian
clergymen and Islamic clerics must be carried along. Traditional and community
leaders must be involved. The “us versus them” mentality must be actively discouraged.
My ultimate delight lies in the
fact that the preachers of hate and sectionalism are losing ground fast. This
is due to the rise of the new-breed Nigerians. Who are they? Let me conclude
with an excerpt from my soon-to-be-published book.
“Recently, Lt. Col. Adeboye
Obasanjo was thrust into national prominence by default when he was shot by
Boko Haram militants. Certainly not a seeker of the spotlight, he unwittingly
warmed himself into the hearts of many Nigerians after expressing an eagerness
to return to the frontlines while still recuperating from wounds he received in
battle against the insurrectionists in Adamawa State. The question on many lips
was, “What was he doing there in the first place!? Why didn’t he take the
‘typical’ route and get his father to influence his posting away from the Boko
Haram hotspots?”
His privileged parentage
notwithstanding, he has earned for himself the distinction of being labeled as
a full-blooded Nigerian, willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice in defense of
the motherland. I doubt if anyone would ever question the sincerity of his
commitment, or his love for his nation. He stands tall, amongst many other
unsung heroes, as an epitome of the new-breed Nigerian, leading by example and
well-equipped for the 21st century.
Focused,
diligent and determined to succeed
Impervious
to ethnic, religious or class distinctions
Effectively
contributing to nation-building
Willing
to rise through the ranks like everybody else
Standing
stalwartly in defense of the motherland
Focusing
on, and being a part of the solution, instead of focusing on, and being part of
the problem”
