NIGERIA: The traditional title of ‘Garkuwan Nupe’ was recently bestowed upon the Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo by the Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar. Garkuwan Nupe literally means the ‘Defender of Nupe Kingdom’, making any intellectually disciplined individual believe that the confirmation of the traditional title is more than just an individual culture or ethnicity.
It is a tradition in any culture around the world that the traditional title is bestowed only upon the man of the soil in question. But with the need to build unity in diversity, seeing professor Yemi Osinbajo answering the ‘Garkuwan Nupe’ as a man from the Yoruba kingdom is an achievement that is worth celebrating.
Confirmation ceremony of the Vice President/Breaking stereotypes
During the ceremony, the Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo pleaded for passing the country’s cultural heritage to the younger ones for the culture to sustain its growth and development.
“I’m very grateful for the Etsu Nupe to find me worthy of the traditional title. And this will make me continue to do more in time of development to the Nupe and its people,” said Osinbajo.
Taking inspiration from the Nupe ethnic group who just bestowed a Yoruba man with ‘Garkuwan Nupe’, the country will thrive in peace assuming that Yorubas will crown an Igbo man with a Yoruba traditional title, similarly, a Gbagyi should also confirm a Yoruba man with Gbagyi traditional title.
But we should also note that the traditional title must not limit among the elites. Let a son of somebody who does not belong to the so-called ‘elite class,’ who has contributed to the development of the country be crowned as well.
How cultural integration can solve insecurity problems in Nigeria
Had Nigerians been more united, not always bringing the differences of ‘he is a Southerner, westerner, northerners or southerners,’ the insecurity problem of our dear nation wouldn’t have been so devastating as it is today.
We need to stop seeing Fulanis as the only ethnic tribe responsible for the killings and the ones causing insecurity and unrest in the country. This is generalized thinking and hence one of the reasons why insecurity in the country has refused to reduce for the past decade.
Igbos are described as the ethnic tribe responsible for money rituals and other bad deeds in the country. Again, this is a stereotypical thought. Until we stop identifying one religion, tribe or ethnic group with something evil, the county will continue to be lingering in the ocean of insecurity and disturbance.
Deep-rooted tribalism and religious differences can be linked to the lingering crisis of communal Fulani herdsmen clashes, banditry, Boko Haram, ISWAP, and all forms of insurgency you can think of. It is high time Nigeria starts looking at every Nigerian as one so that the country will be peaceful, united and achieve in all areas, tremendously.
The pronunciations in the following languages; ‘WA’ in Yoruba tongue, ‘ZO’ in Hausas language and in Igbos as says ‘Bia,’ when put together comes as “WAZOBIA” which is inscribed in the country’s 50 naira note to preach unity and togetherness among tribes and this must not be disintegrated because of individual interest.
Until the country stops attributing the killing and abduction of innocent civilians and armies especially in the North East to a particular ethic, the problem of insecurity will persist.
Let the government fight the insecurity securely without attaching it to any tribe, religion or ethnicity and the battle will be soon won.
Also Read: Celebrating Tswana’s Vibrant Cultural Heritage
