NATIONALISM

 Nationalism is a sense of ideology of common unity, identity and aspiration existing among people who share common history, race, culture, territory and ethnic unity. It can also be seen as the desire and struggle for sovereignty of one's country. It is also the display of love for the total freedom of one's country from external or internal oppression.

Nationalism is expressed in various ways; respect for national symbols, readiness to serve the nation with passion and defend it during war. It is an expression of love, loyalty, patriotism, national pride and some sense of belonging in citizens of a state.

 National symbols represent the collective identity and shared values which fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty of all citizens in a country. National symbols are those persons, values or objects that represent a nation or signify the sovereign existence of a nation with certain qualities or potentials. They are: the national anthem, national pledge, coat of arm, national currency, national leaders etc.

Problems Affecting Nationalism

 Nationalistic spirit among nations have been threatened by many problems in many countries of the world. There is constant feeling of distrust among the component units due to fear of one ethnic group or state dominating the other in most part of Africa.

 Nigeria is faced with countless problems which inhibits its development and even threaten its continued existence as a sovereign state. Its problems stem from its origin as a colonial construct which brought together a variety of separate people with diverse cultures. Some of these problems are:

Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to a group of people with a common socio-cultural identity such as language, religion and cultural traits. It is generally regarded as the most basic and politically salient (main) identity in Nigeria. Most Nigerians often times define themselves in terms of their ethnic affinities than any other identity. During colonial era, ethnic nationalism showed itself in an aggressive regionalism with the formation of political parties along ethnic and religious lines. Example, the Northern Peolple  Congress (NPC), which has its origin from a northern cultural group- Jam’iyyar Mutanen Arewa, was dominated by Northerners, majority of which is Hausa-Fulani. The National Council of Nigerians and Cameroons (NCNC) was dominated by Ibos. The Action Group stem from the Yoruba cultural group, the  Egbe Omo Oduduwa, dominated by Yorubas. Although, ethnic nationalism succeeded in wrestling independence from the colonial masters, it failed woefully in integrating the country.

Religion

Religion is another problem that gave nationalism a heavy blow. Religious identity is more critical than ethnic identity. Religious identities are usually classified into three: Christians, Muslims and traditional. Of the three, traditional religion is least politically active. Christians and Muslim have been the main stay of differentiation and conflicts. This creates a divide between north and south, with north being predominantly Muslim and south Christians.

Regionalism

Regional divisions or identities evolves from the structures created by colonialist in the process of state formation in Nigeria, especially the sharp division between the north and south, and then the three regions of north east and west in 1946 and the Mid-west in 1963.

This created sentiments on indigeneship that led to inter-communal violence in the struggle for lands, chieftaincy rights as well as resource control. Examples are the Tiv-Jukun in wukari, Taraba state; Itsekiri-Ijaw/ Urhobo in Delta state; Ijaw- Ilaje conflict in Ondo sate; Ife-Modakeke in Osun state etc. These conflicts have grave consequences on development and national unity. As a way of ensuring national unity and stability, there is need to promote an even and balanced development in the country.

The Role of some Nationalist

Nationalism during colonial era was the opposition of native Africans to colonial rule and domination. The search for indigenous government inspired nationalist movement in many parts of Africa.  Their activities led to the attainment of independence of many Africans. The notable nationalist include: Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and a host of others.

Herbert Macaulay

Herbert Macaulay was born on November 14^th, 1864. He was referred to as the father of Nigerian nationalism. Macaulay was a leading member of National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA), which comprised Nigeria, Ghana the Gambia and Sierra Leone.

Macaulay was the founder of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923 which dominated Lagos politics until 1938. The strength of his part was the newspaper, the Lagos daily News, the Lagos Market Women and the like. He played active role in the famous nationwide tour of the NCNC to seek support of northerners in the quest for Nigerian independence from British government. He died in 1947.

 Obafemi Awolowo

Obafemi Awolowo was born in 1909 at Ikenne, Ogun state. He was a member of Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM). He later formed the Action Group (AG) and was the Premier of the Western region from 1952 -1959. In 1953, his party sponsored the motion for self-government in 1956. He participated in constitutional conferences in the attainment of Nigerian independence. He promoted political awareness and consciousness through the establishment of Nigerian Tribune. He was the presidential candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in 1979-1983.

The government of UPN controlled States were based on four cardinal programs

a.       Free education at all levels.

b.      Free health services.

c.       Integrated rural development.

d.      Full employment for all Nigerians.

He died in 1987.

Nnamdi Azikiwe

Nnamdi Azikiwe was born on November 16th 1904. He obtained his University education in USA. He found a newspaper called the West African Pilots. He joined politics in 1944 and became the founder of  NCNC .  Is served as the premiere of the Eastern region in 1954-1959. Azikiwe was a major figure in the attainment of Independence on October 1st 1960. On November 16th 1960, he became the Governor- General, and on the same day became the first Nigerian to be  appointed as a member of the Queen privy council. With the proclamation of Nigeria as a republic in 1963, he became the first president of Nigeria. He died in 1996.

Assignment

Discuss the factors that threaten the spirit of nationalism in Nigeria.