In an airplane or sea ship, there are times when the plane or ship is encumbered by its luggage. At such situations, the captain resorts to jettison some items. That is, to throw away encumbering items, luggages and the rest. In a very rare and unique situation a human being was thrown away. I’ll let you guess who.
In the ship of Nigeria we also need to jettison some items in order to make progress as a country. Most importantly, we citizens have to get rid of tribal sentiment !
It pisses me off to hear when people say, “oh my parents said whatever happens I shouldn’t bring home an Igbo man.” This is in the group of the dumbest statements I’ve ever heard in my life. Now , I’m not pissed because I’m Igbo, no, I’m pissed because of the sentiments. I’m equally annoyed when I hear Igbo people say, no I can’t marry a Yoruba man. Tribe should be the least factor in deciding who you’ll spend your eternities with.
Igbo people would do anything for money, Yoruba love party too much, Hausa people are dirty, Edo people are witches, delta people are militants etc etc. these are some tribal sentiments that have been passed down by generations before us. I think it’s silly to judge an entire tribe by the actions of a particular person. Imagine if there were a black sheep in your family, and now because of that I write your whole family off as bad and lacking in home training. That would be foolish of me.
In every society there are the good and bad ones. Heck, in Jesus’ inner circle there was Judas.
It doesn’t make sense to bring unnecessary divisions into a country.
Children now adopt these notions and allow it to block their view. They don’t see the good that other people have to offer. It affects their relationship with their fellow citizens and at times lead to strife. Worse, they in turn pass it down to their children.
We all need to understand that there are good people and there will be bad people in this world. How about we teach our children that huh? How about we teach our children to appreciate the differences in culture and tradition. Variety they say is the spice of life !
If we are to move forward as a country we have to get rid of these sentiments.
Don’t let sentiments becloud your good judgments.
How can two work together unless they are one ? How can the various tribes in Nigeria progress unless they be one ?
I have faith that as a result of the exposure we’ve gotten, our generation would be the generation to put an end to these sentiments.
Let’s get rid of them. Sentiments are of the Devil. His influence thrives where there is division and strife.
Let’s teach our children to love and appreciate other tribes and cultures.
That way, we’ll be making out country a better and stronger one.
Remember divided we fall, United we stand.
And every one loves United.
Up United !
S/o to my boy Luke Shaw by the way, here’s wishing you a speedy recovery.
God bless you and God bless Nigeria.
Kelechi Ochulo 