North or Middlebelt-Perceptions, Politics and Reality

[mallamt]

I tried starting a discussion on religious violence and it was hijacked and attempts made to make it an ethnic issue on the basis of a label used by a section of nigeria to describe their origns or region.  Strong words and language was used by the contributors to insult a section of the nigerian or rather northern nigerian community.  The contributors put forward that the latest unrest in Plateau State that has been described as religious is not religious but just the begining of an attempt of a section of Nigeria to get rid of the hausa/fulanis from nigeria.  The contributors went as far as indicating that the hausa/fulani are the most hated nigerians that have no business being in nigeria (please see subject matter-These Religious Violence!!-it can be found under the general section).  This matter was one of those I thought i would discuss later, but I might as well do it now but under a different heading.

Those that know the history of the entity called nigeria as it is today know that no one group insisted or choose to be nigerian or not to be (except maybe some of the english speaking western camerounians).  The leaders of the various groups making up this place called nigeria accepted the union and went as far as fashioning out a relationship with each other in terms of common hopes, desires and ambitions for their peoples.  In this entity called nigeria is a region called northern nigeria.  So where did the name come from?  It is a name that does nothing but to describe an area of nigeria to the north of the rivers niger and benue.  The name has nothing to do with describing the ethnic group that lives in the region nor  their religion.  The region is home to several ethnic groups and peoples of differing religious belief.  Some people also refer to a portion of the northern region as middlebelt.  The name or reference is also geographic, as it only describes the region or area in context of the total area of the entity called nigeria, all it means is that this is the area in the middle of nigeria.  Again the name does not describe any specific ethnic group or any specific religion.  Both terms used are correct the difference is what our point of reference is.

In recent times there has been clamourings by different groups for all sorts of things from all parts of the north and indeed all parts of nigeria.  Calls have even come for seccesions and some for exclusion.  There is no hiding or denying the fact that there has been alot of injustices meted out by various groups to other groups.  Whether it is the hausa/fulani and the non hausas or tiv to idoma or muslim and christians, things have happened that should never have been allowed to happen.  So it is highly hyprocritical and a denail of facts that there is any one group that has a monopoly of injustice, so to even suggest that the elimination of any one group will result in everybody living happily ever after is pure fallacy.

The issue is that their is a need to talk, a need to revisit the hopes, dreams and aspiration of all groups in the region.  There is a need to respect the rights of all peoples in the region (and the country as a whole of course).  In any type of human society there would be a minority group whether it is women, christians, muslims, disabled etc., the issue is to respect the rights of all.  The imposition of the ideas and ways of one group on all is definately not acceptable and a way must be found to accommodate all.  It will be nonsense and hyprochitical for anyone person or group to claim complete innocence.

It gains no one for one group to say they do not like another and they are unable to say what exactly the problem is.  Infact, such people are just wolves in sheep clothing because they are tyrants who want to oppress other groups within them.  They hope for a "vacum" which they can quickly step into to cheat and steal from their keith and kin.  So there is definately issues to discuss but that can only take place in an atmosphere of respect.

And for those who want the hausa/fulani out of nigeria, the hausa fulani like all other groups that make the peoples of nigeria did not ask to be part of nigeria. No one group can tell another to leave nigeria but a group can ask to secede, so if you do not like the hausa/fulani in nigeria and you do not want to be from the same country with them the solution is simple leave nigeria and form your own country.  If you feel oppressed by the hausa/fulani in nigeria then lets talk about it.  In a marraige, a spouse that does not want the other spouse does not go out of it and also keep the complete attributes (name, physical looks etc) of the spouse they have just sent out in order to transfer or give it to the new spouse.  When a spouse is not happy and can not stay in the marraiage nor discuss the marraige or problem they leave and start afresh.

[Lamido]

You topic is irrelevant. All we should be discussing future unrest.

[Anonymous]

Lamido

you are wrong (very) the topic is not irrelevant, saying so is just trying to run away from it and bury the problem.  The problem can not be buried it must be discussed in all its facets.  To bury the problem is criminal and for any one group to react to perceptions they have on another group in a violent manner is also criminal.  Lets talk about it and try and fashion a future path we would all willingly would not only like to take but agree to take

[Anonymous]

Lamido

Present unrest is a result of past actions whether true or false.  How can you shape a future if you want to completely ignore the past?  Leadership styles or ability is a totally different kettle.  Do not use the misrule of past leaders to answer the problem, misrule is an issue on its own that requires discussion because if the hausa/fulani do not produce a tyrannt or hopeless leader some other group would.  Your question should be more about what is the quality of leadership we want, what are the qaulities a leader should have, what mechanisms do we have to ensure we get those leaders, and do the mechanisms work if not what are their deficiencies and how can we correct them.

[Middles belt]

""The leaders of the various groups making up this place called nigeria accepted the union and went as far as fashioning out a relationship with each other in terms of common hopes, desires and ambitions for their peoples. In this entity called nigeria is a region called northern nigeria. So where did the name come from? It is a name that does nothing but to describe an area of nigeria to the north of the rivers niger and benue. The name has nothing to do with describing the ethnic group that lives in the region nor their religion. The region is home to several ethnic groups and peoples of differing religious belief. Some people also refer to a portion of the northern region as middlebelt. The name or reference is also geographic, as it only describes the region or area in context of the total area of the entity called nigeria, all it means is that this is the area in the middle of nigeria. Again the name does not describe any specific ethnic group or any specific religion. Both terms used are correct the difference is what our point of reference is. "'


question


1 when did the our leader agree with you about creation of Nigeria.. It is a britain idea.. It is not from Allah, It is a man made idea. all man made idea would be destroy. this too.

2. People like you are the problem. you fail to agree between the middle belt and the North. Please where in the Nigeria law did you find the word North.. The constitution of Nigeria that I read does not include the word the North region..

3 The mibble belt is a different group from you.. we cover the Middle part of Nigeria. You care if you believe it or not.....  


4 . Have you ask yourself  why we voted for Obasanjo over Buhari. The answer we are sick of you people. PDP won all the state in the middle belt. the days when your leaders ring election in the middle belt is over. Come 2007. you can not win an election in Nigeria.. If we do not vote for someone form the middle belt, we would rather vote for the south. .. Never again would your people rule nigeria. Never..... thru an election forget it.... The middle belt stand alone.. get that into your head.

[mallamt]

Middlebelt

1 when did the our leader agree with you about creation of Nigeria.. It is a britain idea.. It is not from Allah, It is a man made idea. all man made idea would be destroy. this too.

Comment
At no point in the posting was it mentioned that the boundaries making up Nigeria were drawn by the present locals of nigeria, so I do not know where you got your idea.  The suggestion made to the fact that founding fathers tried to fashion a relationship, I am sure you are aware of constitutional processes

2. People like you are the problem. you fail to agree between the middle belt and the North. Please where in the Nigeria law did you find the word North.. The constitution of Nigeria that I read does not include the word the North region..

Comment
I agree with you there is no reference to north in the constitution in the same way there is no word middlebelt.  These are (north and middle belt)as I said terminologies used to describe geographical areas in the country using different refernce points.  These geographical areas also tend to have general political attributes that may have also been shaped by their geographical locations.  Other terms used are South, South-South, East, West, North east, North West, Far (Upper) North.  So I am not sure what the disagreement is.

3 The mibble belt is a different group from you.. we cover the Middle part of Nigeria. You care if you believe it or not.....

Comment
Yes you are right, in the same manner you are north if the rivers niger and benue are used as reference.  The term you decide to use is a function of your reference point.  I suggest you read my posting again!

4 . Have you ask yourself why we voted for Obasanjo over Buhari. The answer we are sick of you people. PDP won all the state in the middle belt. the days when your leaders ring election in the middle belt is over. Come 2007. you can not win an election in Nigeria.. If we do not vote for someone form the middle belt, we would rather vote for the south. .. Never again would your people rule nigeria. Never..... thru an election forget it.... The middle belt stand alone.. get that into your head.

Comment
The last time I checked OBJ was said to have been voted for by majority of nigerias and not just middle belters, so I am not sure how you alone votes for OBJ and he wins (or are you suggesting you rigged?).  As they say he who says never ever must be a fool for every man has a price!  I do not care who you vote for, whom you vote for is your democratic right.  All I hope and pray for is that you, myself and every nigerian votes people for the right reasons.  That we vote for people who really have our concerns in their hearts people who can ensure that every nigerian gets a decent life in nigeria and is able to walk around the world with his head held high,

By the way middle belt who are these we you keep refering to?

[Eskimo]

You will be more understood mr middlebelt if you talk of your tribe alone.
Dont say middlebelt, you are misrepresenting some people.

[Middles belt]

You will be more understood mr middlebelt if you talk of your tribe alone.
Dont say middlebelt, you are misrepresenting some people.

Mr Eskimo  and the rest of you, why the fear that I speak for the middle belt.. Do we not have a right to the different from the Hausa/fulani people...



Question

1 How do you feel we feel , when your people force us to speak and learn Hausa lanuagues in primary school, when our own mother tougue is not allow..

2 How do you think people in Taraba, Nassarawa,Pleteau state feel when the only languagues allowed for News on television was Hausa till on last...

3 Who did your Hausa/fulani leaders consult... When you label your so call Hausa/fulani Organization AREWA... an Hausa word... Why did your leader not call it a Jukun name... a tiv name... an eggons name... Kanuri name... Do you think we are inferious to you..


If you can answer me... I would reply you with more of your wrong doing....

[gogannaka]

When i first saw Mr.Middlebelts post i prayed no one responds to his posts because they seem to be made by someone that is emotionally driven.Responding to such posts would only add to his rage.

I am forced to respond to your comments Mr.middlesbelt (not that i am answering your questions) because you are hell bent on tarnishing the image of the north(arewa).
Well Mr. Middlebelts, i am sorry if because of the acceptance of Hausa language Worldwide as the most spoken language in Africa,your language is seen by your people as made inferior.If you were wise you should'nt be worried because if u were taught history (or at least social studies),you should be able to know that Hausa language is accepted throughout the subsaharan region of Africa because it is the language used by traders in that region.And i am surprised at your insinuations that your people are forced to learn hausa language.If you dont want to speak hausa then dont speak it.I am sure you would not be punished for that.(maybe if the traders come to buy your potatoes,yam or oranges you can sell it to them in your language).

Mr. belts if you had noticed, in Nigeria there are three major languages hausa, igbo and yoruba.It dosent mean that other languages do not exist ,so don't be sentimental.
Concerning the issue of naming the hausa/fulani organisation Arewa.I am ashamed at your observation.If the fulani's never complained then why would you?I am sure the fulani speaking people are larger in number than most of the tribes in the middle belt.But i am sure we will be delighted if you could suggest a more suitable name for the organisation in your mother tongue....

Please in your next posts try to be realistic and back up your arguments with sensible facts.

[mrguest]

gogannaka, Hausa was made compusory in the education system in the middle belt by Belewa govt.... Where is that not force

[gogannaka]

English nko...how come u never complained about it?

[Eskimo]

Haba my friend..why the should I b afraid? of who? I only observed that a Hausaman always talk of Hausa not others. so may b it will b more fair if we all speak against what we percieve as injustice to our community or respective tribes instead of talking about others who may not support our course. Just like you mention Kanuris which have never have anything to do with whatever your tribe.
I see that as hiding behind the multitude to serve your own tribal intrest. Which I am sure does not have a million speakers..just afraction of the so called middle belt.
I see you commiting the same offence you are accusing the Hausa of commiting..unless you will represent only your tribe too.

[Eskimo]

Hello..did I hear you talking of Hausa Language....

Hausa was not forced on anybody. Anywhere you go a particular language tends to dominate others. This is either because the language is easier to learn, the people speaking the language are merchants or simply where there are many languages people tend to pick one of those languages for easier interaction among themselves..afterall that is the main purpose of a language to humanity.

Example..in UK there are other languages like Irish, scotish, welsh, and picts. The speaker of these languages speak and learn English for their own benefit...and they still maintain their pride in their language. Unlike you that have inferiority complex.

To prove to you that Hausa Language was not impose on anybody, when Dariye..the chief enemy of the Hausas was addressing Plateau Council of Elders recently why didnt he use Birom or Ngas or any of languages of the Plateau..or even English! Why did he addressed them in Hausa!

Some years back when the agitators of the middle belt were told to drop Hausa Language for a "middle beltan" Language...they were stunned! which Language will they choose. Is Tafawa that you are accusing of imposing Hausa on you still alive? Hausa was there even before him "eating up" all the languages neigbouring it..including my Language.

Just know that the spread of Hausa is God's doing...and if you dont like speaking Hausa, I dont think Tafawa also said.."and everybody must speak Hausa henceforth"...be objective!

Another, whether you like it or not Hausa is a "middle beltan" Language. We cant just ignore our emirates, cities, towns and villages that fall under your middle belt "borders". If you dont want to stay with the Hausa/Fulani then move elsewhere. We are not moving anywhere and leave our land, farms and houses just because some people get down from the mountain tops recently claiming lordship of the land....

[lionger]

....WEAR YOUR LEATHER STRIPS AND GET BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS!!!!

:shock: Completely unnecessary outburst Eskimo..why reduce yourself to this level?

[alhaji_aminu]

salam
All i know is we are all Nigerians! akhirul kalam.
end of story..............