MINDSET: WHAT IS THE RESTRUCTURING OF A SUPER-DIVERSE NIGERIA.
Super-diversity is a complex idea that is why it is difficult to be concise when looking for definition. What does it mean to be a super-diverse country?
Firstly, I will define super-diversity for this article as follow: It is a transcendental conceptualization of migration logistics, ethno-linguistic composition and development within a geopolitical conurbation that looks beyond the analyses of obvious complex multi-factoral variables by juxtapositioning them within governance paradigms and sociopolitical agglomeration.
It is of vital significance to understand that super-diversity is about complex relationships as earlier defined within the purview of diverse notions like migration, integration, assimilation, multiculturalism, ethno-linguistic dichotomization cum socioeconomic classification, resource distribution and self governance this is because the use of the term cut across multiple disciplines.
Is Nigeria a super-diverse country?
My answer will be in the affirmative given the fact that all the complex relationships, multi-factoral variables and dynamic inter-participation of multiple factors leading to fluidity in terms of representation as a signpost identifying super-diversity are present within the discourse Nigeria.
I love Nigeria a wonderful country located on the western coast of Africa with diverse nationalities and international orientation. Nigeria as a geopolitical entity has more than 250 ethno-linguistic nationalities that are aboriginals, maybe she might have had less ethno-linguistic nationalities if European colonial adventurism an offshoot of the Berlin conference of 1884-1885 which formalized the scramble into Africa leading to the usurpation of self governance and restructuring of geopolitical borders of pre-colonial African nations had not occurred.
This statement is not a buck passing exercise rather it is a recognition of the obvious reality and the principle of effective occupation by the Europeans that created countries with disparate ethno-linguistic configurations after independence which have now metamorphosed into debate along sociopolitical conflagration with various ethno-linguistic groups clamouring for secession, restructuring, devolution of power and sometimes leading to civil war.
The amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914 was a significant watershed in the development of Nigeria as a geopolitical superstructure because that was the cradle of Nigeria as a state but what I am having sleepless nights about concerns our inability after 100years of marriage to develop any sense of unity and oneness of purpose as to the direction to chart in respect of our identity and development.
The upsurge in agitation for restructuring and secessionist rebirth championed by IPOB are not something any government can wish away by mere proclamation of non negotiability of Nigeria unity this is because in a super-diverse organism like Nigeria with disparate ethno-linguistic configuration we must always keep the door open for negotiation and consideration of complex multi-factoral variables that can impact our co-existence as a nation.
What we see in other super-diverse countries like Russia, China, Canada are movements toward rejection of absolutism in terms of non-negotiability proclamations and pigeon-holing of people on the basis of opinions expressed along ethno-linguistic cum socioeconomic restructuring rather there is more attention and refocusing toward advancement in social mobility, self-governance, economic empowerment and reorientation of youthful generations of citizens to see themselves as stakeholders.
We will achieve more as a country if we change our vocabulary away from confrontation to negotiation of all complex variables springing up agitations. A super-diverse country like Nigeria must define what restructuring means before we go on a wild-goose chase.
It is important to note that restructuring the country does not automatically bring good governance. However, that is not to say we do not have to rejig the system...?
WHAT IS RESTRUCTURING?
OTUNBA ADE ILEMOBADE IS A PHILOSOPHER.
TWITTER: @PEARL2PRINCE
Firstly, I will define super-diversity for this article as follow: It is a transcendental conceptualization of migration logistics, ethno-linguistic composition and development within a geopolitical conurbation that looks beyond the analyses of obvious complex multi-factoral variables by juxtapositioning them within governance paradigms and sociopolitical agglomeration.
It is of vital significance to understand that super-diversity is about complex relationships as earlier defined within the purview of diverse notions like migration, integration, assimilation, multiculturalism, ethno-linguistic dichotomization cum socioeconomic classification, resource distribution and self governance this is because the use of the term cut across multiple disciplines.
Is Nigeria a super-diverse country?
My answer will be in the affirmative given the fact that all the complex relationships, multi-factoral variables and dynamic inter-participation of multiple factors leading to fluidity in terms of representation as a signpost identifying super-diversity are present within the discourse Nigeria.
I love Nigeria a wonderful country located on the western coast of Africa with diverse nationalities and international orientation. Nigeria as a geopolitical entity has more than 250 ethno-linguistic nationalities that are aboriginals, maybe she might have had less ethno-linguistic nationalities if European colonial adventurism an offshoot of the Berlin conference of 1884-1885 which formalized the scramble into Africa leading to the usurpation of self governance and restructuring of geopolitical borders of pre-colonial African nations had not occurred.
This statement is not a buck passing exercise rather it is a recognition of the obvious reality and the principle of effective occupation by the Europeans that created countries with disparate ethno-linguistic configurations after independence which have now metamorphosed into debate along sociopolitical conflagration with various ethno-linguistic groups clamouring for secession, restructuring, devolution of power and sometimes leading to civil war.
The amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914 was a significant watershed in the development of Nigeria as a geopolitical superstructure because that was the cradle of Nigeria as a state but what I am having sleepless nights about concerns our inability after 100years of marriage to develop any sense of unity and oneness of purpose as to the direction to chart in respect of our identity and development.
The upsurge in agitation for restructuring and secessionist rebirth championed by IPOB are not something any government can wish away by mere proclamation of non negotiability of Nigeria unity this is because in a super-diverse organism like Nigeria with disparate ethno-linguistic configuration we must always keep the door open for negotiation and consideration of complex multi-factoral variables that can impact our co-existence as a nation.
What we see in other super-diverse countries like Russia, China, Canada are movements toward rejection of absolutism in terms of non-negotiability proclamations and pigeon-holing of people on the basis of opinions expressed along ethno-linguistic cum socioeconomic restructuring rather there is more attention and refocusing toward advancement in social mobility, self-governance, economic empowerment and reorientation of youthful generations of citizens to see themselves as stakeholders.
We will achieve more as a country if we change our vocabulary away from confrontation to negotiation of all complex variables springing up agitations. A super-diverse country like Nigeria must define what restructuring means before we go on a wild-goose chase.
It is important to note that restructuring the country does not automatically bring good governance. However, that is not to say we do not have to rejig the system...?
WHAT IS RESTRUCTURING?
OTUNBA ADE ILEMOBADE IS A PHILOSOPHER.
TWITTER: @PEARL2PRINCE
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