This is the concluding part of this discourse published yesterday

THE Western Nigeria used to be in good shape when Nigeria was administered through three and later four Regions. This fact must be considered by the National Conference. The country is now divided into six geo-political zones. These zones can go ahead to govern themselves. I am of the opinion that the Yorubas, of whom I am a part, are more than ready to go back home and work hard to bring our children out of the mess the present system of governance has thrown them into.

Let each zone decide its own fate and take care of itself. Our main problem stems from interfering into the affairs of other zones. The rich forests for farming, was given to the Western zone by ‘Olodumare’ (God). He planted them there to work, farm and make a living. He gave the big waters – the sea to the Southern zone and gave magnificent stones, rocks and valuable solid minerals to the Northern part. God also endowed the West with other minerals such as, gold, bitumen etc. which are embedded in the earth all over Yoruba land. The eastern zone is generously blessed with coal and abundant agricultural products. All these zones surely have more than enough gifts from God.

God gave those in the South-South zone of Nigeria fish, water, rubber, crude oil etc. Indeed, God made available adequate natural resources for every geo-political zone, sufficient enough to cater for the needs of the inhabitants and their children in their generations. Why then are we not content with these provisions freely given by God in our specific areas and work hard to earn a decent living with which to take care of our children, wives and relations?

The other five geo-political zones of Nigeria have since ignored or abandoned what God had given them and are all interested in the resources of the South-South zone. They have not only coveted the crude oil of that zone, but have gone ahead to steal it, thereby impoverishing the rightful owners. In the process, these intruders have polluted the waters of the South-South zone, destroyed their valuable fishes and water animals and have gradually turned their arable farms to waste! God is certainly not happy about these covetous acts being perpetrated by the rest of Nigeria against the people of the South-South Region. He is not happy that other Nigerians are also enriching themselves at the detriment of the legitimate owners of these resources.

In the South West today, cocoa plantations have almost been depleted. Kolanuts are no longer available in their quantities; the palm trees have grown wild and our children have abandoned our farms for life in the popular cities where there are no job opportunities presently. They have turned themselves into prodigal children. In the story of the prodigal son in the Holy Bible, we are told that when the prodigal son came back to his senses, he returned home and there was a warm reception for him. He was given new clothes, shoes and rings to wear. Above all, he had enough food and got a new lease of life.

New lease of life

Nigeria in a way is like the prodigal son who squandered all that God freely gave him. Let each prodigal son from six geo-political zones of Nigeria go back home to God! What happened to the biblical prodigal son in the Bible when he had a re-think of his ways, will repeat itself and Nigeria will surely be well again. Then, from the emerging abundance of their wealth, they will donate freely of their resources to the Federal Government in Abuja. By that time, whoever is the President will no longer bother anybody else because he will reap from the abundance of all the geo-political zones. He will be happy and comfortable in his “Aso Rock”.

The geo-political zones will also be comfortable because they have the capacity to feed themselves, educate their children and give their people a good lease of life. At that time, it will be the Regions that will feed the leaders of fatherland (Nigeria) at the centre (the Federal Government). It will no longer be the father sitting somewhere, eating fat and bursting from the seams while the children go hungry!

When this happens, we will all have a better country where all citizens will be happy and contented except the lazy ones. It is only then that it would be said with joy and gladness, that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable. Anything short of the above is a mirage and will not hold water. As at today, the unity of Nigeria is highly negotiable. Let all compatriots be up and doing, and make hay while the sun is yet shining. Tomorrow may be too late.