Sa_RA

One of the realities of our country is that many of us grew up with inherited perceptions about other tribes and religions. Some of us were fortunate to attend schools and served (NYSC) in environments where we interacted with people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Over time, those experiences helped us challenge some of the opinions we had grown up with in our respective communities. Unfortunately, this remains a serious problem across many communities in Nigeria. People are often taught to distrust or dislike others before they even have the opportunity to understand them. I strongly believe democracy remains one of the most important instruments for uniting Nigeria because it provides an opportunity for every Nigerian, regardless of religion, ethnicity or background, to participate in governance and national development. However, we must deliberately find common ground in Northern Nigeria. A Northern Christian must be recognised first as a Northerner, with equal rights, opportunities and a sense of belonging. The same expectation must apply to minority Muslims living in Christian-majority communities and states, particularly places like Plateau State. They too must be accepted as equal stakeholders in their states and communities. Nobody should feel like a stranger in the place they call home simply because they belong to a religious or ethnic minority. As long as sections of our population continue to feel dominated, marginalised or excluded, we will keep reproducing the same unfortunate cycle of hatred, agitation and counter-agitation. After all, this division has not produced any meaningful development for either side. It has only cost us lives, destroyed relationships, weakened communities and held back our collective progress. We cannot build a united and prosperous Nigeria by making one another feel like strangers in our own country. Equal citizenship, mutual respect and genuine inclusion must be our common ground.