Kolade, Anya, Other Statesmen Lament Over Nigeria’s Insecurity

Following the recent killings and kidnapping in Nigeria, some prominent elder statesmen under the coalition of Burdened Elders called for urgent reprogramming on the problem faced by the country.

The elder statemen stated that killing, insecurity, kidnapping and tribal tension will continue to affect the country until it is reprogrammed for mutual benefits.

The elders led by former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Chris Kolade, while speaking with journalists lamented over the level of bloodshed and ethnic bigotry in the nation.

Some other members of the forum include Prof Anya O. Anya, Dr Shyngle Wigwe, Prof Akin Mabogunje, Ambassador George Obiozor and Dr Philip Asiodu among others.

They lamented that it was colonial leaders who injected Nigerians with mutual suspicion and divisive tendencies to retard peace and progress.

The elders said Nigerians must embrace a new policy that values peace, mutual respect and productive engagement of diversities.

The statement reads, “Many people are calling for the restructuring of the nation at all costs but we will plead that such exercise must be preceded by reprogramming of Nigeria to erase animosities and strife so that all conversations can then be conducted in an atmosphere that is productive, fruitful and peaceful.”

“Research also teaches us that we were all programmed to act as rivals and fight one other for resources through the colonial heritage.”

“The opportunistic forces that are tearing us apart today may have taken advantage of the centrifugal forces engineered and embedded in our souls but we shall surely overcome.”

On how to fix Nigeria, they said: “Divisive programmes have a life span that runs into centuries. Before Nigeria can ever succeed, we need to be de-programmed and then re-programmed and that is what the bridge of peace we are constructing is all about.”

“There is really no problem in Nigeria except the problem programmed into the Nigerian. Once this can be fixed, we will overcome all challenges with ease.”

“The immediate challenge then is to discover and project a new Pan-Nigerian nationality beyond our ethnicities, fractional identities, inchochate diversities and fragile values.”

Kolade stated that the country is too important in the continent to be allowed to break apart.

He said Nigerians must leave behind the history of animosities and define a future path that is prosperous and productive.

Anya, on his part, said the elders were prepared to build bridges of peace across the nation, stating “all the artificial divisions we see are nothing compared to the commonalities we share.”