I never had the intention of developing a discourse on this topic but it has become of utmost necessity and urgent importance given the manifestation of heart irking happenings in our society nowadays.

I wouldn’t, have thought of writing this piece if Nigeria is perfectly sailing smoothly in the ocean of peace and harmony towards a bleak-free future. In fact, it would be a misplaced priority and utterly pointless to begin to think of craving the indulgence of Nigerians to bury their differences and work as a people with a common destiny if Nigeria is ranked a peaceful and secured haven.

I never had the intention of developing a discourse on this topic but it has become of utmost necessity and urgent importance given the manifestation of heart irking happenings in our society nowadays.

I wouldn’t, have thought of writing this piece if Nigeria is perfectly sailing smoothly in the ocean of peace and harmony towards a bleak-free future. In fact, it would be a misplaced priority and utterly pointless to begin to think of craving the indulgence of Nigerians to bury their differences and work as a people with a common destiny if Nigeria is ranked a peaceful and secured haven.

After having sleepless night recently reflecting on the devilish, sinister and absurd activities of some misguided and disgruntled elements, I could not control the pain that had ravaged me. I also could not answer a rhetorical question I asked on whether all hope is lost and the future is unattainable.

This piece is premised on exploring all avenues that would lead to ensuring a progressive Nigeria of our dream where bloody war and anarchy would be a thing of the past and where indoctrinations about patriotism and good conduct would have a base on which to stand
It is unfortunate and a great setback that Nigeria has ultimately become a theatre of war leading to mass killings and destructions of valuables worth trillions of naira by some brain washed insurgents.

I equally regret the fact that innocent Nigerians are always bearing the brunt of bloody disruptions. This piece further underscores the imperatives of creating a fertile ground for peace and tranquility to thrive having being a witness of how crisis is being manipulated and fuelled by blood and flesh thirsty elements.

We don’t need an angel to tell us that Nigeria is a nation-state in dire need of peace and interreligious harmony. The most unfortunate thing is that once a minor crisis erupts, if not urgently checked and properly managed, it has the tendency of escalating into a full-blown mayhem leading to loss of lives, destruction of properties, reprisal attacks and strangulation of socio-political and economic developments.

One of the recent Jos violence which left scores of people killed has not vanished from the memories of people. Some of the conflicting insurgents were seen eating the flesh of human beings that were killed during cross-fire and that gave the violence the impetus to grow in leaps and bounds without being urgently abated and tamed. Tit for tat, the reciprocal killings continued to ravage the city before the fighters later reached a consensus.
Today, north eastern Nigeria is faced with a gory challenge that has led to gross underdevelopment and intense terrorism. I regret and condemn the activities of those holding our dear nation to ransom and stoking the flames of division.

I weep for my dear country and pray that God will usher it into a new era of peace, unity and harmonious co-existence.

Before late President Yar’Adua endorsed the implementation of Amnesty Initiative for Niger-Delta militants, he stated emphatically that throughout the world, peace, stability and security are essential ingredients that would help in dismantling a troubled society thereby ensuring national development.

I challenge all Nigerians to be patriotic enough by shunning acts that are capable of dividing and tearing us apart. In the same vein, I equally challenge our religious and political leaders to eschew religious extremism and political chauvinism and work for the greatest good of all and sundry.

by Dapar Satmak Alexander

Dapar Satmak is a mass communication student of the University of Jos, he writes for ViewPointNigeria from Jos, Plateau state.

He can be reached at the following email address: [email protected]

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Nigeria in dire need of Peace by Dapar Satmak Alexander