Herdsmen might destroy Nigeria, Ofeimun laments

Odia Ofeimun, poet and gubernatorial aspirant in Edo state, says the issue of rampaging herdsmen is capable of destroying Nigeria, advising President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive action.

Speaking at the University of Ibadan while reading ‘Taking Nigeria Seriously’, one of his recent books, Ofeimun said the bulk of the nation’s woes could be linked to the fact that Nigerians and their leaders do not take the country seriously.

He advised the government on the steps to take in tackling the killings of innocent Nigerians.

“If we don’t deal with the issue of herdsmen, there may be no Nigeria tomorrow,” he said.

“Almost all Nigerian groups are brought up not to take Nigeria seriously; they fight against themselves and the future of their children by feigning to be fighting for the interest of their people… The Fulani must be made to move to where they have cultural empathy – dairy industries, corn-beef industries.

“Government must build a global industry around their cattle-rearing,” he said.

He described Nigerian leaders as “hunter-gatherers” who move into a virgin environment which they graze to zero until it becomes a desert and then move to the next land, failing to plan for tomorrow in the process.

“In the Niger Delta for instance, an average of 260 makeshift refineries, built by those stealing crude oil, are destroyed every year and these people end up rebuilding the ‘refineries’ in three days,” he said.

“If an individual can build a ‘refinery’ in three days, why not a nation?  This is prevented by corporations and individuals who determine that scarcity continues. If we were in a war situation and the enemies destroy our refineries, would we surrender or ensure that we move on? It should take not more than ten days to build a refinery.

“Even in Biafra, shortchanged by their leaders and Nigeria, they made makeshift refineries.”

Renowned educationist, Bolanle Awe, lauded what she called “extremely provocative” issues dealt with in Ofeimun’s book.

Highlighting the issue of indigene/settlers, and education of children of tomorrow, Awe said the removal of history from the curriculum of schools was capable of making Nigerians not to take their country seriously.

“We should learn about our culture, tradition and be proud of them… If we do not know history, how can you get far in life? America won’t give you a degree unless you learn American history,” she said.

Others present at the occasion were former Dean of Postgraduate School, University of Ibadan, Olabode Lucas, Remi Raji, Bimpe Aboyade, Ayo Olaleye, Kolade Mosuro, Doyin Ajuwon, among others.