WE ARE DIFFERENT ON PURPOSE.

We Are Different on Purpose.

Imagine if EVERY single Nigerian were muslim. The traffic on friday afternoons would be frustrating beyond redemption. Apply the same thought to Christianity, the Peace and quiet on Sundays would be completely disrupted, in a way that I don't believe would please anyone. What am I saying here? Our differences complement our existence, so that a healthy balance is s effectively struck. Its sad that it has taken us so long to appreciate the simple peculiarities that make Nigeria multi-faceted, and consequently special. We, as Nigerians, tend to associate with people considered the "anomaly", but only at our convenience. That is, a Yoruba man would happily buy Mallam Abu's limited edition suya, but would never consider the idea of friendship with him as plausible, let alone anything more. A hausa woman would willingly implore the service of a tailor from the West, but the idea of an unconventional relationship would seem almost far-fetched. And our Igbo brothers... I sincerely look forward to the day where a business will be established between one of them and an indigen of anywhere else in the country. We have so sunk into the stereotypes which I believe initially started as jokes (Igbo People too like money, etc) but have overtime succeeded in catalysing the growth of the seeds of distrust, seeds that I constantly ask myself who the sower might have been. We seem almost comfortable preserving the division that is implicit in our everyday living, that no one seeks to challenge the idea, for example, that marriage between Nigerians from the East and West will cause more harm than good. I mean my parents have literally mapped out the states from which I am not to introduce a man as my fiancé, and I am light years away from that stage in life.  Over the years all ofthis has amused us but we would sooner or later need to decide the kind of Nigeria we envision twenty to forty years from today- a nation where diversity is a cause for celebration, or a subject of Anarchy. I am a true proponent of the former, and I write in the hopes that we all vote for the same ideology.

The views of an optimist, Amy Gukas.

THE LAND OF MY BIRTH

Africa,

The land of my fathers and ancestors

That holds my bloodied umbilical cords

The land that is farther than my eyes sees

Africa,bounded by sandy deserts,forests and wavy seas

Am proud that i come from and belongs to you

In you,are embedded histories of my birth and youth

The land of the wollofs,yorubas,berbers and zulus

Igbos,hausas,mandigos,masais,hutus,tutsis and bantus

Numerous tongues,different languages and beautiful cultures

Smiling skies,dancing trees, lands you nurture

The land of great warriors,fighters,technology wizards

You have been brutalized,colonized and apartheid

Your seeds are scattered abroad in diverse and distance lands

Representing Africa in different ways they can

One day i will tell my descendants,with all my heart

Wonderful tales of Africa,the land of my birth

Written by Chimeucheya MacInnocent

Preach U. I. D. !!!!

"The labor of our heroes past, shall never be in vain...."

        When ever I listen to or recite this verse of the national anthem, I feel a sense of patriotism, belonging and family. But, I also feel guilty and sad.

        I feel saddened because the labour of our heroes past is kind of going in vain. Some of us have forgotten our past; some of us don't even know our past. How then can we understand our presents and plan our future?

        This isn't a political movement, this movement will not favour one group or region, over others. This movement is to unite Nigerians. This is to uphold the dreams of our past heroes. This, is a movement, for unity in diversity.

        Ever wondered how our past heroes succeeded in their battle against colonialism? They stood together as one. They did not see one another as enemies or rivals. These brave men saw one another as  brothers fighting for the same cause. They looked beyond their differences  and saw a brotherhood in the one thing they all had in common; Nigeria.

        So I am calling on the youth. Calling you all to peace. Preach my people, preach unity so that Chief Obafemi Awolowo will look upon us with a smile. Be your brother's keeper so that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe's hard work will not go in vain. Stand united so that Sir Ahmadu Bello will rest in peace. 

        Preach Unity in diversity in order to attain "one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity."

INTRODUCTION

Our goal is to build a Nigeria where tribal and religious differences are no longer motives for disharmony. A Nigeria where our religious and cultural diversities are our sources of pride . Help our fellow country men realize that we are stronger and have more potential if we stand together as one . Change the view of the future generation and encourage them to aspire to build a better Nigeria as a whole .

We are focusing our efforts on the youth ,the university and high school/secondary level to be precise . We want to create awareness in youth by trying to change their mindset . Help them see beyond their tribes and religions,help them realize how much they have in common and that it is very possible for all Nigerians to co-exist in peace .

I honestly do not want a Nigeria where i have to apply for a visa to visit Enugu,Ibadan or Adamawa.

So the idea to encourage Unity in Diversity by encouraging the youth to dispose of the stereotype we hold on different Religions and tribes,get to know people for who they are. I am not asking for these differences to be forgotten; rather, I urge everyone to understand them.