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Ojukwu’s Philosophy Of Detribalism: The Panacea To The Nigerian Political Problems
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1.3.2 Tribalism Enthrones Mediocrity
Tribalism
favours mediocrity. However, this advantage is the type that destroys
not only the persons involved, but also the nation. Mediocrity reigns
where tribe of origin is placed over and beyond merit and competence.
Tribalism encourages mediocrity mainly in the award of contracts and in
employment and promotions. Two contractors may be campaigning for a
particular contract, and most often the less qualified “contractor†wins
the job, while the one with better qualifications goes home a loser.
The amateur contractor wins because he is of the “right†tribe while the
other is not. As expected, the so-called contractor eventually messes
up the job. In all these,
the greatest sufferer is the nation itself
which has to contain the legitimate grievance of a wronged citizen,
accommodate the incompetence of a favoured citizen, and more important
and of greater scope, endure a general decline of morale and subversion
of efficiency caused by an erratic system of performance and reward.[21]
The
same thing is experienced in employments. These days, certificates
worth nothing once you know somebody in a higher position, your area of
specialization not withstanding. It is still a living memory that Bola
Ige was appointed a minister to man a sensitive power and steel
ministry, despite the fact that he never specialized in that. At the
early stage of our nationhood, the effects of tribalism with regard to
mediocrity were so evident. Lamenting about the existence then Gbulie
observed that
the terms ‘long legs’ and ‘as man knows man’ had been
injected into the vocabulary of the Nigerian public. Thus, double
standards had been created which, in turn led to frustration among
millions of Nigerians. Mediocrity now sat unchallenged on the
throne—mediocrity that was sustained by blind leadership. For merit
meant nothing. Nor did talent and industry mean anything.[22]
Against these backdrops, Ojukwu maintained that:
no
amount of sanctimonious injunctions and no amount of erudite
constitution-writing, can lift Nigeria from her mediocrity, to the
greatest she deserves.[23]
1.3.3 Tribalism Creates Social Injustice
Tribalism
goes with a great deal of social injustice. A lot of injustices have
been perpetrated in Nigeria, as a result of our myopic comprehension of
the term tribe. Some Nigerians, because of their tribe, can never rise
to he position of permanent secretaries in their ministries, some can
never become the inspector general of police, defense and agriculture
ministers. Certain industries must not be sited in certain places, and
if they were put in place, a substandard firm would be assigned to
handle it. This kind of situation does not help for any development.
1.3.4 Tribalism Retards Individual /National Development
A
nation cannot exist without the citizens. In the same way, Nigeria
cannot exist without the concerted mental and physical efforts of
Nigerians. Because tribalism is separatist in nature, it retards the
development of the nation. Tribalism retards development because in such
a situation like Nigeria, due process is thrown to the winds and as
such the people who are qualified for certain positions to keep the
nation moving will not be given the opportunity. This being the case,
the individual’s potentialities are left undeveloped, which in turn
affects the entire nation.
1.3.5 Tribalism Promotes Cultural Underdevelopment
Variety,
they say, is the spice of life. One major advantage that accrues from
the existence of many tribes is the capacity of producing a variety of
cultures that will eventually add more beauty to the national life. The
languages and cultures of the various peoples that make up Nigeria have
in different ways something to offer for national integration and
development. Every culture ought to be open to other cultures, and
through that way grows. But when people are too attached to their tribes
as well as cultures to the exclusion of others, the cultures will
hardly experience any growth. The silent adherence to tribe has made
this possible, and as such, the various cultures remain dormant and
underdeveloped.
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