The Middle Belt is an Identity and History not Geographical – Dr. Obadiah Mailafia

Amb. Friday Bako
Viewpoint Nigeria
20th July, 2018

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a ardent Advocate of restructuring/good governance, a seasoned economist and National Organizing Chairman of the Middle Belt Summit, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia has described the Middle Belt as an ‘identity’ and ‘history’ rather than being geographical.

Dr. Obadiah said this during a Channel Programme “Hard Copy” when he spoke on wide range of issues such as the Middle Belt Identity, Restructuring, the ongoing killings in the middle belt and the just concluded Middle Belt Summit which held in Benue State.

The historic Summit of the peoples of the Middle Belt held this week. The event began on Monday with a rally and climaxed on Tuesday 17th July, 2018 with a conference on security and development in the region.

Dr. Obadiah said the peoples of the Middle are desirous of telling their own story. They will not wait for the hunters to tell it on their behalf.

Speaking on the Summit, Dr. Mailafia said it was graced by the presence of leaders of the South – Afenifere of Yoruba land, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Pan-Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF). It’s a great show of solidarity. They are firm in their conviction that, together, they can make this country work.

He said the Middle Belt is not just a mere geographical expression. The Middle Belt is about identity. The Middle Belt is about solidarity of the peoples of central Nigeria. Our history is that of great heroes. We were never conquered by the invaders. Our forefathers successfully resisted all foreign impostors who wanted to take over the land under the pretext of a religious ideology. We defeated them then; we will defeat them now. The Middle Belt is about solidarity, about freedom, equality and justice.
Let nobody deceive you: We are the true Nigerians. We did not just walk across the border from yesterday.

We have been here for centuries, if not millenniums. The great Kwararafa Kingdom was famous throughout history for its military prowess. It embraced a wide expanse of territory and included ethnic communities such as Jukun, Kutep, Igala, Idoma, Igedde, Shendam and many others. The even older Nok civilisation is also part of the heritage of the Middle Belt peoples. The famous Nok Culture goes as far back as the Egypt of the Pharaohs. Without the Middle Belt – without this bridge that links the North to the South, this country could not possibly survive.

The theme of the Summit and Conference is, “Restructuring and Reawakening”.

Dr. Obadiah said some Nigerians have been rather sceptical about the entire gospel of restructuring; believing it to be a mere vehicle used by those who want to unleash the forces of disintegration. But having observed what is happening today, I we have no choice but to join the restructuring bandwagon. Any system that does not adopt or evolve will sooner or later run into crisis. This is why the dinosaurs disappeared. They could not adapt to the changing eco-system of the planet and had to disappear.

We believe that for Nigeria to survive and flourish in the coming years we need to re-engineer or federation so that our institutions can deliver the greatest good for the greatest number under an atmosphere of social justice, patriotism, freedom, the rule of law and democracy.

The reawakening of the Middle Belt is a part and parcel of the new transformation of Nigeria.

The Middle Belt want to have regional autonomy and self-governance within a more democratic and more prosperous Nigeria.

They want to see their lives and those of their children go forward, in conformity with the humane spirit of our people. The Middle Belt represent the humanist spirit of ancient Africa; a people that are innately generous, humane and God-fearing.

Dr. Obadiah said as Patriots, they are deeply concerned about the unity of Nigeria not its division and believe so much in the Nigeria Project.

When asked about the North, Dr. Obadiah said the North cease to exist since the killings in Dyenburuk ‘Dogo Na Hawa’ in Plateau State, Benue State, Taraba State, Southern Karina and some parts of the Middle Melt such as Adamawa State.

He said the forceful conquest and illegal land occupation being pushed by the Fulani Jihadists are unacceptable saying the genocides are planned ethnic cleansing aimed at eliminating the Middle Belt Natives.

He said people with conscience must reject the killings and madness of the Fulanis.

He said with restructuring, the Middle Belt and other regions can determine for themselves through referendum the region to belong and what is most appropriate for them.

Speaking on the 1999 Constitution, Dr. Obadiah described it as being worst than the 1979 Constitution saying it is not a product of the collective will of the people but handed over by Late Gen. Sani Abacha.

He went further posited that Nigeria collapsed in 1966 when the three regions could not be sustained.

When asked about the Gov. El-Rufai Committee’s Report on restructuring, Dr. Obadiah described it as a ‘Kangaroo report’ as it does not reflect the full will of the Nigeria people.

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The Middle Belt is an Identity and History not a Mere Geographical Expression – Dr. Obadiah Mailafia