By Adisa Adeleye

I GREW up in the dramatic 1940s in a little mining town of Jos, now the prosperous capital of Plateau State (before the advent of jackals and the murderous gang of the 1990s and the first decade of the twenty-first century. ) Jos, though still commercially vibrant and more populated, is different from that serene place of my youthful days.

Jos in the colonial days had its own apartheid with Europeans predominating; there was the European Hospital, European dwelling areas, European Club.  There were also the Clerks‘ Quarters (for Southern Civil Servants) and also, the Native Area (dominated by Northerners and Southerners of lower ranks.

The problems of today could be traced to the total neglect of the indigenes of Jos who had no access to education or any type of social services.  They were not considered part of the emerging Jos metropolis of the decades before the 1950s.

The present problem of Jos could be traced to the rise in political fortunes of the indigenes, especially after the creation of Plateau State.  The indigenes could not afford to see the capital of their state being dominated politically and economically by ‘foreigners‘ – Hausa/Fulani and Southerners.  Even the Jos North Local Government Council, heavily dominated by ‘foreigners‘ had to be forced to accept an indigene as its chairman (against democratic principle).

The indigenes seem to be in a hurry to redress the heinous crimes (mistakes) of the past.  The unsolved problem of Jos and Plateau State is how to resolve the legitimate political rights of the indigenes and the democratic rights of those described as ‘foreigners‘ who are great contributors to the economy, and have resided there for a very long time.

The example of Jos is a salient reminder of the crucial problems between indigenes and others in many parts of the country today.

It may be asked what rights Nigerians have in places of their domicile outside the areas of their birth.  In those  my pal days, it was possible for non indigenes to enjoy full political rights without any discrimination.  In the 1930s, Lagos had an Ijaw (Ernest Ikoli) as the Member of the Legislative Council and Dr. Azikiwe represented Lagos in the old Legislative Council in 1947 and Western House of Assembly in 1951.  Mazi Mbonu Ojike was a popular Deputy Mayor of Lagos in the 1950s.  In Enugu, Mallam  Umaru Altine was once elected as the Mayor.

In the North, many Southerners enjoyed free scholarships in secondary schools.  But these were good old days before the creation of states and the present 36 states‘ structure.  It is admirable that Lagos State maintains a dignified liberal stance in the provision and distribution of social services and amenities.

In some parts of the country, especially the Northern and Southern parts, non-indigenes (foreigners) are settled in various designated areas (Sabongari) where social services are not well provided and democratic rights often restricted.  Many of these designated areas are often over-crowded and disease-ridden.

Perhaps, the most embarrassing phase of Nigeria’s development is the co-existence of the rich and the poor within the same environment.  Often, the rich could afford the necessary gadgets of modern life while the poor found it difficult to live well.  Many times, such noticeable incompatibility in the standards of living had been a cause of envy and its disastrous consequences of stealing, arson and community riots.

The changing phases of Nigeria have brought many political and economic challenges that have risen over the years.   The problems arising from ethnic and religious matters, especially in some Northern parts where churches had been burnt and worshippers brutally killed are rampant.

Also, in many parts of the country, boundary disputes, especially in the South, had caused destruction of villages and forceful displacement of people.   Many people believe, and justifiably so, that the deficient structure of the country as regards to states created could be responsible.

It is generally recognized that the vast development of the country in many phases has not been matched by the increase in latent ability to solve the emerging problems.  The official reaction to any untoward event is to set up a committee of enquiry, the report of which is cleverly kept in a secret locker.

Since perpetrators of evil deeds are not afraid of immediate reprisal and they would continue in their wanton destruction of life and property.  It is often suggested that an official proactive hard stance against immunity of the few bad citizens would go a long way in solving many problems.

The most terrible aspect of Nigerian development is the growth of insurgency arising from religious intolerance which has not been properly confronted.  There is another aspect to insurgency which points to poverty caused by mass unemployment.  It appears that the daring exploits of the Boko Haram murderous gang is quite beyond the widest imagination of simple religious fanatics – there are signs of expertise.

We may be looking towards the rank of unemployed graduates, dismissed police and army officers and educated political thugs.
The new phase of the country‘s development appears to be based on violent insurgency, political instability, unemployment, armed robbery, kidnapping and ritual and political killings.

The mood of today is the call for a radical change to meet a more serious challenge to the continuous existence of the country.  The country needs at the moment statesmen, not crafty politicians; wise people, and not shallow thinkers; a coalition of parties, and not a spineless single party.

The other day, there was a destructive bomb blast at Nyanya, Abuja (the capital city).  That event was followed by the abduction of 200 girls from a college in Borno State – a state under the state of Emergency.

From those halcyon years of principled politics, ethnic harmony and religious understanding, times have changed for worse, leaving in their trails, vestiges of bitterness and surges of violence.  This is not the time for politics but consensus in the country.  It is not a time to welcome political defectors but the right time to deny the nation against the common foe – insurgency in the North East.