NIGERIA @ 60: SHETTIMA YERIMA SPEAKS

“I will still want to urge Nigerians to remain steadfast, believing and hoping that we must work towards that to ensure that the country remains together so that, at the end of the day, we can ascertain the level that we want the country to be”…. Shettima Yerima

"These agitations are geared towards 2023. In the history of this country, there have always been agitations but the question is; are these agitations genuine? The answer remains a resounding No."

Comrade Shettima Yerima is the national president of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum whose advocacy and strident voice has earned him recognition nationally and even at the global stage, following calls he made some years ago, directing that all South easterners to vacate the North.

Ahead of Nigeria’s 60^th Independent Anniversary, Shettima slammed agitators of the break-up of Nigeria, describing them as rabble rousers seeking attention for the 2023 elections.

 

Excerpts:

In the next couple of days, Nigeria will be celebrating her 60^th Independent Anniversary.

You are a stakeholder and a youth leader in the country. What is your view on this celebration considering the fact that, many are of the opinion that, there it is not worth celebrating especially with the hard times that the citizens are experiencing. What is your take, Comrade Shettima?

My take on this is simple. The truth of the matter is that, whether we like it or not, that we are still together, is a plus. However, we are aware that the expectations envisaged, including that of our founding fathers, have not been realized, in many ways or, expected of the country at 60.

In this light, we must also understand that this is a journey of one million miles, which starts with just a step. Therefore, I believe strongly that, if we are still together as a country and we still maintain the unity; against all odds, certainly one day, we will form a nation that we will all be proud to belong. Then, every hand must be on deck. Nigeria at 60 is a long journey.

It is a long journey and, for us to have reached this point, despite all the obstacles faced, requires us to thank God Almighty. Otherwise, there are certain countries in West Africa and other parts of this world have gone through this but could not remain together. These countries have been engulfed in wars and crises; although, we have had our own experience of war; the Nigerian Civil War that lasted for three years.

However, I will still want to urge Nigerians to remain steadfast, believing and hoping that we must work towards that to ensure that the country remains together so that, at the end of the day, we can ascertain the level that we want the country to be.

Again, there is still hope.

 

You talked about unity; we are all aware of the several agitations that have sprung up, especially from the South-east and now, with the South-west in the fray, asking for a separate state of their own.

How do you view all of these particularly when we consider all these agitations? Do you think this country would remain as united as envisaged by our founding fathers?

 

These agitations are geared towards 2023. In the history of this country, there have always been agitations but the question is; are these agitations genuine? The answer remains a resounding No. You cannot just be agitating and threatening the unity of a country simply because you are seeking for power and you think you can bulldoze the north. It is not done anywhere. People are so civilized that, those are eras that must be seen to be over and not now.

Therefore, it is an old fashion. Let us run true democracy and if we are running a constitutional democracy, let us all come forward and look for competency from any part of the country. this arrangement of when an election is approaching, people will just wake up with agitation and begin to think that they can intimidate others with all sorts of things from a section of the country, for fear of one thing or the other. I do not think it is right, as we cannot continue to run a country in this manner.

For me, I think we run a constitutional democracy and, if it is a constitutional democracy, it is about people. Moreover, if it is about people, it is about numbers. As the saying goes, minority has a say but the majority has its way. So, let us go and display our cards and bring our best forward; from any part of the country. I do not have any problems with that.

 

You talked about the majority and then, the agitations for 2023. It is common knowledge presently, that there is a strong division even in the north particularly so with the North central pulling away from the umbrella body of the north; the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF.

What do you think this spells for the country as a whole and the north in particular?

 

For us, we have not seen it as a break. The only thing we see there is that, we have reservations as regards the issue of the Middle-Belt that we do not believe that it exists. But, as for the issue of the North central, of course, it is a regional thing as we have the North-east, the North-west and of course, the North-central.

Therefore, there is nothing like division in the North. It is all North, it has three (3) regions, and there is nothing like division and as such, do not let us mis-interpret it.

 

Let me take you back; there are cries and complains within the political setting that, in terms of appointments within the power bloc, certain regions have been sidelined while others have been overly favoured over and above the others. This, in the opinion of some stakeholders is an attempt to divide the North against itself.

 

That is not true. I do not think there is any truth in that.

 

Look at the appointment by the President and the Presidency; it has been skewed towards one particular section, vis-à-vis, the Katsina factor, the Borno and Bauchi axis.

 

The truth of the matter is that, even within the North-west, some of us from the North-west strongly believe that we were not carried along, with the whole thing cornered, and geared towards Katsina. To an extant, maybe Borno in terms of security or whatever. Even at that, it is solidly at the discretion of the President and same is done by every other person. It is strictly his constitutional prerogative. If you tell me that a Minister is picked from Kaduna state and that no Minister was picked from Bayelsa state, or, that a Northerner was made a Minister from there, then I will look at it as a serious matter. Every minister was appointed from the various states and that is what formed the cabinet of the Federal Government. Now, if on his own wisdom, he decides that he wants to pick people from one angle, it is within his prerogative of office; not because that I supported it but I think it is purely his business. What matters to is; are they performing? Are they doing it right? If yes, who cares? However, if they are not doing it right, then of course, we can raise issues.

 

The insecurity concerns across the country have become worrisome to everyone. What do you think is responsible for this?

 

It is a two-way matter. Yes, we have a problem on one side, as the Security Chiefs are long overdue for change. This now, is purely the business of the President to tell them to step aside, not theirs. By virtue of the Constitution, they are expected to serve four (4) years and go but then, their stay has been extended. That is a different ball game entirely. Is it within or outside the constitution? That is where we can raise questions. If it is within the Constitutional powers of the President, so be it. I am one of those who have raised advocacy that the Service Chiefs should be allowed to go as they have done their best and, we cannot say that their best is the best for the country. they have not performed to expectations which even the president; not even us that are outside the government, concurred to when the issue was raised as regards to their performance.

 

Finally, the unemployment level in the country is attaining a worrisome dimension. What is your advice to youths considering your position as the national president of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum?

 

For me, I will simply tell the youths to acquire skills that will make them self-sufficient and not to depend on white-collar jobs from the government. Skills acquisition creates self-sufficiency and even agriculture, should be embraced by our youths. Enough of this search for white-collar job. So many skills abound and I will again advice that every youths learn a skill.