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The Real Enemy of Nigeria: Tribal Politics, Ethnic Hatred and the Failure to Unite

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The Real Enemy of Nigeria: Tribal Politics, Ethnic Hatred and the Failure to Unite By George Omagbemi Sylvester | SaharaWeeklyNG.com

The Real Enemy of Nigeria: Tribal Politics, Ethnic Hatred and the Failure to Unite

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. More than six decades after independence, the country remains shackled (not by external forces or faulty governance alone) but by a deeply entrenched, corrosive enemy within: tribal politics, ethnic hatred and the persistent failure to forge genuine unity. This is the real disease crippling Nigeria’s potential.

For decades, political discourse has revolved around the presidency, government policies and economic management. Yet, these are mere symptoms not the root cause of Nigeria’s malaise. The real disease is a collective mindset rooted in ethnic insecurity and sabotage, the toxic belief that “if it’s not my tribe, it can’t be trusted.” Until this insidious mentality is confronted head-on and eradicated, no amount of political restructuring, constitutional amendments or economic reforms will salvage the Nigerian project.

The Peril of Tribal Politics
Tribalism in Nigeria is not merely an identity marker; it is a weapon wielded to divide, marginalize and manipulate. It poisons the political landscape, turns governance into a zero-sum game and sows seeds of mistrust among Nigerians. As political scientist Prof. Akin Oyebode of the University of Ibadan once remarked, “Nigeria’s greatest threat is the refusal of its people to see each other as compatriots rather than competitors.”

The statistics paint a grim picture. According to the 2022 Afrobarometer survey, over 70% of Nigerians identify strongly with their ethnic group rather than the nation as a whole. This fragmentation undermines national cohesion and fuels competition for resources, appointments and political influence along ethnic lines. Instead of uniting for the common good, Nigerians often retreat into parochial enclaves, fostering resentments that ignite violence and conflict.

The tragic consequences are evident in the repeated cycles of communal clashes, such as the persistent violence in the Middle Belt and the ethno-religious tensions in the North-East. The Boko Haram insurgency and farmer-herder conflicts are often exacerbated by ethnic and religious fault lines, reflecting the deep societal fractures.

Ethnic Hatred: The Poison That Destroys
Ethnic hatred fuels a dangerous paranoia, convincing groups that their survival depends on dominating others. This paranoia manifests in exclusionary politics and discriminatory practices, as communities jockey for power and control. The political elite exploit these fears for electoral gain, often by stoking ethnic antagonism.

Dr. Chido Onumah, a respected Nigerian journalist and analyst, emphasizes that “ethnic hatred is the cancer eating away at the soul of Nigeria. It creates suspicion where there should be trust and erects barriers where bridges are needed.”

This has led to the rise of separatist agitations such as Oduduwa Republic in the Southwest, Biafra in the Southeast, Niger Delta militancy and calls for Arewa autonomy in the North. While the grievances behind these movements are often legitimate (ranging from political marginalization to economic neglect) the common denominator remains ethnic distrust and the failure to see Nigerians beyond tribal affiliations.

Why Unity Is Nigeria’s Only Way Forward
Nigeria’s diversity is its greatest strength if harnessed correctly. The vast cultural, linguistic and religious mosaic offers unparalleled opportunities for innovation, resilience and global influence. But unity is not just an idealistic slogan; it is a practical necessity for national survival.

Professor Claude Ake, the late Nigerian political economist, famously stated, “Nigeria is a complex society, but without unity, complexity becomes chaos.” He understood that the country’s multiplicity could only flourish in an environment where ethnic boundaries were transcended by a shared national identity.

The failure to build such unity has led to a “balkanization” of the Nigerian psyche. As ethnic mistrust deepens, Nigerians are essentially creating smaller “countries” within Nigeria (Oduduwa, Biafra, Niger Delta, Arewa) each pursuing its agenda at the expense of the whole. This fracturing weakens the country, making governance difficult and economic progress elusive.

Structural Reforms Are Insufficient Without Mindset Change
Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has undergone various attempts at restructuring: constitutional reviews, state creation, power devolution and federal character principles aimed at ethnic balance in appointments. Yet, these structural changes have failed to eradicate ethnic politics.

Why? Because these reforms address symptoms but not the disease. Restructuring cannot heal minds poisoned by tribal suspicion and hatred. No constitution or law can force people to abandon their fears and prejudices.

As Professor Attahiru Jega, former chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), observes: “You cannot legislate unity into existence; it must grow from the people’s hearts.”

The solution lies in deliberate, sustained efforts to build national consciousness. Education systems must promote Nigerian history and values that emphasize unity in diversity. Civic education must confront ethnic stereotypes and promote mutual respect. Political leaders must champion national interest over tribal loyalties.

Voices from Within: Calls for Unity and Healing
Across Nigeria, thought leaders and citizens alike have called for an end to ethnic divisions.

Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, has repeatedly warned: “Nigeria is at war with itself, but the real war is in the minds of its people. Until we kill the demon of ethnic hatred, peace will remain elusive.”

Similarly, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka noted: “Tribalism is the enemy of progress in Nigeria. The nation’s destiny depends on the willingness of its people to rise above ethnic particularism.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, despite controversies, acknowledged this in 2021 when he said, “We must learn to see ourselves as Nigerians first and members of ethnic groups second.”

Yet, words alone are insufficient. Nigerians must act by rejecting tribal politics in elections, promoting inclusivity in governance and cultivating inter-ethnic cooperation in everyday life.

The Way Forward: Healing the Nigerian Mind
True progress demands confronting uncomfortable truths about identity and loyalty. It requires honest self-reflection and collective commitment to change.

Educational Reform: Curriculum must emphasize national heroes, history and values that unite rather than divide. Early education should teach children to appreciate Nigeria’s diversity as an asset.

Political Accountability: Politicians must be held accountable for stoking ethnic tensions. Electoral reforms should discourage ethnic vote-banking and promote issue-based politics.

Media Responsibility: Media houses and social platforms must combat hate speech and misinformation that inflame ethnic divisions.

Community Engagement: Grassroots initiatives that promote dialogue and cooperation among ethnic groups should be supported and scaled up.

Inclusive Economic Development: Addressing economic inequalities that fuel ethnic resentment is critical. Development programs must be fairly distributed and designed to bridge ethnic divides.

Final Thoughts
Nigeria’s greatest enemy is not geography, resources or governance alone. It is the fractured mindset of its people and the tribal politics, ethnic hatred and failure to unite. Until Nigerians confront and heal this mental disease, the nation will continue to fracture into smaller entities, each echoing the same broken mentality.

The challenge before Nigeria is clear: to build a new Nigerian identity that transcends tribe, religion and region; to forge unity from diversity; and to place the nation’s interests above ethnic loyalties. This is the only path toward peace, progress and a truly prosperous Nigeria.

As George Omagbemi Sylvester writes, “We can rebuild our country’s institutions, but unless we rebuild the Nigerian mind, we will be trapped in an endless cycle of division and decay. The real battle for Nigeria is fought in the hearts and minds of its people.”

The Real Enemy of Nigeria: Tribal Politics, Ethnic Hatred and the Failure to Unite
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | SaharaWeeklyNG.com

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Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today

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Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

D best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.

In a world addicted to shortcuts and obsessed with quick wins, the timeless wisdom behind the quote above cuts through the noise like a sharpened sword. The idea that tomorrow’s success depends entirely on today’s actions is not a cliché, it is an irrefutable truth. Whether in faith, science, economics or personal development, one law stands firm: today’s SEED is tomorrow’s HARVEST.

Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

We can not continue to fold our hands in laziness today and expect miracles tomorrow. A nation can not waste time, bury talent and ignore responsibility today and then complain about failure tomorrow. Life does not reward intentions; it rewards actions.

Faith Speaks: Christianity and Islam Agree on the Power of Today. This principle is not just motivational; it is deeply spiritual. Across the world’s major religions, the doctrine of intentional daily action is clear.

In the Bible
Proverbs 6:6-8 teaches:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

The lesson here is blunt: the time to prepare is now, not later.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 further reinforces this:

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”

In the Quran
Islam emphasizes the same responsibility of living intentionally and working righteously each day. In Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:7-8), the Holy Qur’an declares:

“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”

This verse reminds believers that nothing is wasted; every small effort counts and will show its result, either today or tomorrow. It is a divine call to mindfulness and proactive living.

Also, in Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11), Allah says:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

Change does not fall from the sky. God helps those who help themselves; today, not when it is convenient.

Procrastination is the Poison of Purpose
Dr. Timothy Pychyl, a psychology professor at Carleton University, states that:

“Procrastination is not a time management problem, it is an emotion regulation problem.”

We put off effort not because we lack time, but because we avoid discomfort. Yet nothing of value has ever been built in comfort. From Moses to Muhammad (PBUH), from Mandela to Martin Luther King Jr., progress has always come from people who embraced struggle today to secure peace tomorrow.

From Nations to Individuals: A Pattern of Success. Japan, South Korea and Singapore, these countries did not wait for the future to be great. They built it. After war and poverty, they chose to invest in education, discipline, innovation and daily excellence. The results? Economic prosperity, global respect and technological advancement.

Compare that with many African nations, where politics, procrastination and misplaced priorities have crippled development. Nigeria, for instance, continues to grapple with the consequences of poor preparation. We cannot talk about transformation if we do not first talk about intentional effort; daily, consistent and focused.

The Economy of Today. Economists describe something called the Law of Diminishing Intent: the longer you delay action, the less likely you are to do it at all. In business, delaying a product launch or avoiding staff training today often leads to loss of competitive edge tomorrow.

Brian Tracy, in his bestselling book Eat That Frog, emphasizes:

“Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals and then work on them every day will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor.”

In other words, daily action beats monthly inspiration.

Talent is Nothing Without Today’s Discipline. Too many young people have talents buried in the coffin of laziness. Dreams without daily action are hallucinations. The Bible says in Proverbs 14:23:

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Success is not a gift; it is a product. You cannot wish your way into greatness. You must work your way into it—step by step, day by day.

The Quran also teaches in Surah An-Najm (53:39):

“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.”

It doesn’t get clearer than that. You get only what you strive for.

Global Voices That Support the Principle. Great minds from various backgrounds have echoed this truth:

Angela Duckworth (Author of Grit): “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
Daily effort is the dividing line between the average and the great.

Jim Rohn: “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”

Barack Obama: “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something.”

Malcolm X: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

When both Eastern and Western wisdom align, when scriptures and scholars agree, then it is no longer a theory; it is a law.

Time is the Most Precious Currency. Unlike money, time cannot be earned back. Once gone, it is gone forever. Every second wasted is a blessing buried. The Quran calls mankind to account for their time. In Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah says:

“By Time, verily man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and enjoin each other to truth and patience.”

Even belief must be accompanied by action, otherwise it results in loss. Believing in your future without acting today is self-deception.

A Message to Nigeria’s Youth and Leaders. Let us be brutally honest. Nigeria will not change through slogans. Africa will not rise through hashtags. Real transformation begins with action; by the citizens, by the youth and most critically, by the leaders.

Our failure to plan, our tendency to delay reforms, our endless “we’ll do it later” mindset; this is what chains our future. We must kill procrastination before it kills our potential.

Instead of wishing for a better Nigeria, wake up and become the better Nigerian. Apply for the course. Register the business. Clean the streets. Learn the skill. Fight corruption. Demand accountability. Do your best today.

Final Thoughts: The Time is Now. The truth is simple: You will not rise tomorrow if you sit today.

Yes, life is unfair. Yes, circumstances can be hard; but you must never give the excuse of tomorrow for what you can perfect today. Success does not belong to the most privileged. It belongs to the most prepared.

Let us leave you with the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who said:

“If the Hour (the end of the world) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before it happens and plant it.” (Musnad Ahmad)

That is how powerful the present moment is even if the world is ending, still do your best now.

The Closing Reflections.
Tomorrow is not a miracle waiting to happen. It is the fruit of today’s labor. If you want to succeed, begin today. If you want to change your story, act now. If you want a better nation, do not just hope; build it.

The best preparation for tomorrow is not luck. It is doing your best today without excuse, without delay and without fear.

Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

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NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

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NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is set to conduct a Range Classification Exercise for Cadets of the 73 Regular Course from July 14 to 18, 2025, at the NDA Open Range.

According to Major Mohammed Maidawa, Academy Public Relations Officer, the four-day exercise is designed to enhance the Cadets’ skills in live firing scenarios and will be instrumental in their training and preparedness.

NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions

Major Maidawa urged local residents and communities to be aware of the exercise schedule and not to be alarmed by the sounds associated with live firing activities during this period.

He also advised farmers, herders, and residents to avoid entering or trespassing into the NDA Open Range and surrounding areas from July 14 to 18, 2025, citing public safety as a priority.

“Public safety is our priority, and adhering to these guidelines will help prevent any accidents,” he said.

The NDA appeals to the public to cooperate and disseminate the information to ensure awareness and safety.

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Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

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Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

 

 

Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun Central, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the organizers of the Abeokuta Film Festival, who recently honored him with an award and decorated him as Patron of the Festival.

 

Amosun declares support for cultural legacy as Abeokuta Film Festival decorates him as Patron

 

Receiving the award personally at his residence in Abeokuta, Senator Amosun emphasized that legacy and service should outweigh the pursuit of recognition. He commended the organizers for promoting local achievements but noted that true leadership lies in quiet, impactful service rather than self-promotion.

 

 

 

“I’ve never been the type to chase awards or honors,” he said. “If you’re in a position of authority or leadership, just do your work. That’s what you’re there for. Let the impact speak for itself.”

 

 

 

Referencing historical figures such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Amosun remarked that their legacies endure not because of awards, but because of the depth of their contributions. While he acknowledged the motivational power of recognition, he reiterated that real reward lies in meaningful impact.

 

 

 

Senator Amosun praised the Abeokuta Film Festival as a vital cultural platform and called for its expansion across Ogun State and the Southwest region. He proposed greater collaboration and suggested a regional brand identity such as “KAARO OJIRE,” which he said could showcase the diversity of languages and stories from the area.

 

 

 

Pledging continued support for the initiative, he assured the organizers of his availability whenever needed. “Even without this award, I’ve always been ready to contribute. Now, with this recognition, I’m even more inspired to do more,” he stated.

 

 

 

In conclusion, he dedicated the award to the pioneers and legends of Nigeria’s film industry, including Hubert Ogunde and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, whose timeless contributions, he said, continue to inspire generations.

 

 

 

Among those who were on the entourage to do the honour was the National President, Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners, Popular Nollywood Actor, Dr. Hafiz Oyetoro, Popularly known as Saka, and Convener, Abeokuta Film Festival, Hon. Kehinde Soaga (dgn)

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