Is there any need for individual agreement or consent before joining two people in marriage or any form of partnership? To what extent will the girl’s direct consent be necessary for instituting a valid marriage? Do the consents of parents, guardians, neighbours, relatives, friends and town increase the validity of a marriage to which a girl or boy have not consented? The recent Biafran agitations has raised so much dust and questions about the conditions for nationhood in the modern times. Also, it exposes the insensitivity in both disciples of secession and restructure-singing nationalists in carving arbitrary maps of African nations.
The process of marriage is interesting, and done in different stages. A man sees and admires a girl. After a while, he tries to woo the girl: ‘babe I like you ooh, make we become boys and girls naa.’ The girl evaluates before accepting the proposal: ‘hmmm are you sure you like me…? Leh me think about it.’ From then, the members of different families join in observing and asking questions to and about the intended couple. This is the stage of INFORMATION, for knowing themselves and agreeing on what to get and what to give in the union. When they have got enough information about themselves and their expectations in the union, the two families meet and institute a proper union between the two loveys. This formal institution is the stage of FORMATION. After the ceremony of union, the two loveys begin living together and fulfilling their roles in the union for peace and progress. This is the stage of TRANSFORMATION, because two different people have been transformed to live as one by adhering to their agreement.
Nigeria, like other African countries was formed by colonially merging various unconsented ethnic communities and nations. The Yoruba nation is made up of many separate communities or kingdoms like Ife, Oyo, Ijebu, Ekiti and other communities. These communities under the present Yoruba nation were independent, and even fought one another in different wars. The Hausa states are made up of separate communities and cities. The South-Eastern states were made up of independent kingdoms.
Unfortunately, the colonial masters forcefully joined these people without their consent. There were no thoughts of the ethnic communities as different peoples, with peculiar cultures and aspirations. All that was important to the colonialists was getting the resources in these places while humiliating and binding the ethnic communities.
“Africa’s nation states were formed by foreigners, lines drawn by Europeans on maps of places they had often never been to. They carved out territories, cut up kingdoms and societies of which they had little idea… They (African countries) lack a common conception of nationhood.”[1]
After several years of hostile coexistence, some politicians and secessionists try to redraw arbitrary maps of African nations which they intend to govern. Biafrans draw map of Biafra to include minority ethnic communities who are yet to be consulted or convinced about their intention. Many politicians draw arbitrary maps of African nations for restructuring the countries along ethnic communities who are not yet consulted. Sorry I forgot, they should not even be consulted. Their opinions do not matter as long as long as their resources are reachable.
Achieving a true unity in Nigeria will be one of the greatest achievements of the 21st century. Keeping Nigeria one has been a song on the lips of many Nigerians for decades. A true unity is vital, since our diversity spices up and beautifies our union. Yet, many people who do not understand the vitality of true unity try to sustain the exploitative form of the colonially imposed and unproductive unity. This has resulted in many fights, deaths and constant hatred among the various groups in Nigeria. For the defenders of imposed unity, Nigeria must remain one by fire by force, since the constitution said it.
There is love in sharing, especially sharing in a united multi-cultural entity like Nigeria. The unity could be very productive and progressive to make all Nigerians share in its beauty. However, in response to any unconsented decree of this ‘there-is-love-in-sharing’, it is better to note that there is peace and satisfaction in eating alone. If Nigerians do not recognize the independence of the ethnic communities and seek their consents in a supreme national conference, there may never be peace in Nigeria. We will continue to repeat the same mischiefs of our colonial masters who made arbitrary maps of African nations just for their greed. Hence, secessionists will continue fighting to take over the positions of colonial masters, who drew arbitrary maps of African nations.
[1] Richard Dowden, Richard Dowden, Africa altered states, ordinary miracles. New York: Public Affairs, 2010. p3