That Latin phrase was quoted by the President of the United States of America, Mr. Barack Obama, in his famous speech to the Muslim world delivered on June 4, 2009 at Cairo University, Egypt. President Obama’s message to Muslims on that day was aimed at bringing them to understand that they were a part of America too, since the United States counted among its citizens many who were adherents of that faith. In effect, he was trying to tell them: “Stop thinking in terms of us against you; in reality, we are together – you are a part of us, and we are a part of you.”
It is uncertain how much success that speech had on those for whom it was intended. There were several high moments during its presentation which elicited thunderous applause from the audience; however, given the developments in the world since it was pronounced, one cannot be sure that it has had much impact on how life is lived on the streets of Gaza, Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, or even Cairo, where it was pronounced. Clearly, it will take more than a few well crafted speeches – even though backed by all the good intentions in the world – to upturn entrenched ideas and perceptions resulting from many decades of anger and distrust.
While it is obviously important to seek reconciliation with external enemies who could pose a serious threat to one’s very existence (the event of September 11, 2001 was the raison d’tre of Obama’s speech in Cairo), it is even more crucial to labour hard at seeking peace and harmony when the enemy is your neighbour next door. It is a sad and dangerous situation indeed when people who have to live together have an “us versus them” mentality; it is like covering up fire in one’s bosom – and we all run the risk of being seriously burnt!
The ethnic and religious upheavals which we have experienced over and over in our nation and which have now attained a truly frightening dimension, reveal clearly that we have not worked hard enough at the task of forging a national identity, even though it is obviously so desperately needed. Our leaders have continued to fan the flames of division and bigotry, bringing everything conceivable under the umbrella of ethno-religious considerations – be they ministerial appointments, candidatures for elections, resource distribution, the location of industries, what have you. It was given a baptismal name which sought to make it seem fair and just: Federal Character. Unfortunately, the ideas upon which the concept of Federal Character is founded are fundamentally divisive and ensure that the nation loses out on the long run, for the most qualified persons do not get the job if they are not from the appropriate region of the country.
An important issue, of course, is how we determine where a person “comes from”. In our country today, someone who has lived for forty years in a place cannot be considered as coming from that place if he or she is not an “indigene” – that is, in the sense in which we choose to understand the word. It is sad that at a time when such barriers are being broken down around the world and immigrants are becoming mayors of their host cities and representing their constituencies in various legislative bodies, I cannot be a candidate for any election in Osun State since I am from Oyo State, although I have practically lived in Ile-Ife since 1972. The extent to which we pursue this indigene versus non-indigene policy is ridiculous. For example, when new states were created, “non-indigenes” were sent packing in order to make room for “sons of the soil” – and so, the Imo lady who had worked all her life in her husband’s state of Anambra suddenly found herself out of a job! Our leaders and policy-makers must address such issues.
There are clear steps that we must take as a nation if we truly intend to forge ahead. We cannot continue to maintain retrogressive laws and practices and expect that our nation will move in tandem with the progressive nations of the world. There are no two ways about it; we will be left behind except we decide to address the fundamental issues which continue to divide and hold us back. We will be condemned to spending all our energies trying to quell the kinds of “infernos” which have continued to ravage our nation for decades now, instead of dedicating ourselves to the pursuit of those goals which would result in a better life for our people.
President Obama told the Muslims gathered in Cairo: “I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground.” Could the need for Nigeria be any less at a time like this? Are there not matters crucial to our survival and well-being which need to be openly discussed? That was part of our hopes for the National Conference, but as it frequently happens in our land, we balk at opportunities for true advancement. Another door of opportunity opens before us with the coming elections; let us take that needed bold step.