The prediction by the United States some years back of a possible split of Nigeria in 2015 was repeated recently by Pa Samuel Akinbode, a man believed to be the worlds oldest preacher. The issue of secession in Nigeria is clearly not a matter up for open discussion, yet in private discussions among Nigerians, it comes up.For politicians, it is a minefield not even to be threaded at all. When President Goodluck Jonathan made reference to the bloodshed in the north during the 1967 Biafra War while addressing the post-election crises that broke out in that same region in April, it stirred up a storm of criticisms from the opposition for attempting to fuel divisive passion across ethnic and regional lines. Such reactions are well understood given the fresh memory many Nigerians have of the socio-economic trauma caused by the Biafran War and its aftermath.The delicate manner with which this topic is handled only points to the extent of frailty of Nigerias unity. It does not come up in national debates but if this persists, an imminent split stares Nigeria in the face and there are obvious cracks on the wall.The youths are not smiling. More than 45 per cent of Nigerias population is between the ages of 15-35. That translates to over 70 million people. Unemployment is awfully high and only one out of five Nigerian graduates would get a decent job within two years of leaving the university. The picture gets much uglier when one considers millions more unable to afford tertiary education left with a gloomier prospect of livelihood. A visit to any foreign embassy or consulate in Nigeria would tell the whole story of how desperate Nigerian youths are to get a permit to work and live abroad. This only shows they do not care where they live as long as they can afford a decent meal on their table, a decent cloth on their shoulders and a decent roof over his head. A new nation might not mean improved livelihood but whatever would convince these youths that it does would trigger their desperate struggle for one.Those like me who take pride in being a citizen of Africas most populous country would hope these youths dont see a protest for secession as the only way out of a country with a sick economy and an ugly state of security.Talking about the ugly security situation, Improvised Explosive Devices are proliferating in the north and the Boko Haram sect is never shy to use them. The security challenge this terrorist group is causing does not help matters.At the moment local security agencies appear incapable or perhaps unwilling to crush the terrorism gradually swelling in the northern parts and prognosis does not look good for the country. 2015 might seem so close for such change to happen but the Arab Spring has shown that people power can cause drastic national changes to be rapid as well.Unless Jonathan wants to be Nigerias last president, he should role up his sleeves along with his cabinet members. He needs not just to be Mr. fix it but Mr. fix it quick. He needs to take away all source of dissatisfaction as much as he can. Quell the security headache while silencing any terrorist cell and militant group, eradicate the power generation disease and shoot up employment figures by whatever magical means he can. He also needs to build adequate infrastructure nationwide and upgrade the education and health sectors to international standards, oh waithe has to be a miracle worker to achieve half of these in half a century as president given.- Anyasi Raymond, author of Poll of Vampires is based in Lagos. www.pollofvampires.com.
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