What is Nigeria?

Nigeria is a place. A country. An African country; one that is often referred to as the “Giant of Africa”, owing to its large population and economy. But right now, Nigeria is more like the “sleeping Giant of Africa.” The country can also be described as a potential RMS Titanic (1912) waiting to happen.

The RMS was a tragedy, why would you say that of your country? Plus, I’ve never read that description of Nigeria before?

No? You are not up to date then. I bet what you’ve read is this:

“Nigeria is a pulsating powerhouse: as the most populous nation on the continent – nearly every fifth African is Nigerian – it dominates the region economically and culturally, spreading the fruits of its rapid development throughout Africa with fury.” (Lonely Planet)

Right.

Mtcheeew That’s an old tale. The only thing the country is reaping and spreading right now is the fruit of corruption, terrorism and a seemingly clueless government. True, the Titanic ended tragically despite the fact that it was one of the largest and most luxurious ships ever built, and was considered “unsinkable.” Nigeria may very well be a “powerhouse” considering its immense natural resources and human capital, but a government with misplaced priorities, as well as trial and error policies may soon steer this ship to its ruin.

If my analogy doesn’t cut it for you … Oh well. 

Fine. I get your analogy. But why are we talking about a “sinking Nigeria?”

For reasons too many, but in this case, because the country is slowly and steadily becoming less accommodating of some people. But you know what’s scary?

What?
Nobody seem to be doing anything about it. It’s a lot of talk, a lot of promises, a lot of condemning, but NO ACTION and NO RESULTS.

What happened this time?

No, not just this time … Where do I even begin? Okay. You remember the story about how eight people were recently burnt to death over blasphemy in Zamfara state? Well, that incident has sparked fears of religious riots in the country with non-Muslims and friends of non-Muslims on the defence.

How so?

Latest developments on the Zamfara incident reveal that while the accused was being beaten to a pulp, a kind hearted passer-by intervened and took him to a hospital. In reaction, the mob proceeded to raze the shop of that Good Samaritan, who happens to be a Muslim, for intervening. That didn’t satisfy them, so they went to his home and set it ablaze with people in it. Here is a narrative of the incident from Governor Abdulaziz Yari:

Hmmph…Has it gotten so bad? Didn’t the president say the law would take its course?

I was going to address that at some point but, since you brought it up…Nothing else has come from the desk of the president on this issue. This is not surprising. Governor Yari has come forward to re-echo what President Buhari said, only his is more dramatic,“No stone will be left unturned until all those behind this act are brought to book.” This is not strange either, we have heard it all before.

The authorities said the same thing when Mrs. Eunice Elisha was hacked to death in Kubwa, Abuja last month. The police assured the family of the deceased, and other residents in the area, of their commitment and determination to fish out perpetrators of the heinous crime and bring them to justice. We are still waiting.

When 74-year-old Bridget Agbaheme was murdered in Kano two months ago simply for objecting to the performance of ablution in front of her shop. The authorities said the same thing, they pledged to find and arrest the killers. That was two months ago, nothing is being said or heard about it anymore.

Just yesterday, suspected herdsmen reportedly attacked a community in Enugu, killing one person and injuring four others. In reaction, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said, “We will continue to take  necessary and adequate measures to protect the lives and property of our people and ensure that anyone or group of people found to be engaging in acts that threaten peace and security in the state, will be made to face the full wrath of the law.” We dey wait.

All talk, no action indeed. But does this actually mean the country is unsafe for non-Muslims?

I don’t know, you tell me. People have interpreted the governments inaction on these series of events as being tolerant or permissive of the ongoing madness. Early this year, a report by Open Doors, a Christian charity that monitors religiously motivated discrimination pegged Nigeria as the most dangerous place to be a Christian since the West African country accounted for more than half the 7,000 recorded killings of Christians in 2015. “Christians in northern Nigeria experience the most violent persecution in the world,” they stated on their site.

Although the report has been criticised as been simplistic, the bases on which it was critiqued is simplistic. “Reading that “millions of Christians escaped countries such as Nigeria in 2015” leaves me wondering what I’m missing as I go about my daily and mostly unencumbered life here,” the writer said.

Where is here?

My point is exactly. I have no idea where this person is, but just because you haven’t experienced discrimination or bigotry does not mean it doesn’t exist, or the fact that it is the sad and unfortunate reality of a lot of people in this country. The writer proceeded, “Yes, religious persecution is real and growing in Nigeria as well as globally – but not just of Christians.”

Oh wait … She does admit that persecution is real, and GROWING in Nigeria, but not just of Christians. Well, I think “non-Muslims and friends of non-Muslims” covers that in Nigeria. No? Let me remind you that although Nigeria is dominantly a Christian-Muslim country, there are other religious practices like ATR – African Traditional Religion. There are also Nigerians who are as realists, atheists, and free-thinkers.

Anyway, the writer goes on to say that most Muslims are not extremists, and that the activities of Boko Haram, which the report is based on, has largely affected Muslim communities. “It is too simplistic to think of Boko Haram as simply being anti-Christian,” she said. Well, news flash – Boko Haram has a new leader and he is very anti-Christian/non-Muslim.

So back to the question, is Nigeria becoming an increasingly unsafe place for non-Muslims?