by Tosin Adesina

In the wake of the recurrent crisis in Southern Kaduna, there is an urgent need to zoom into the multicultural cohabitation system being practised in Nigeria.

A common lie being spread around Nigeria is that we are one but our day to day actions have proved otherwise – the ethnic clashes across the land says it all.

These conflicts have existed year after year with no solution in sight. Even the government at all levels are yet to figure out a workable solution. The crisis in Southern Kaduna between Fulanis and the settlers is a case in point.

The Fulanis are nomadic farmers, who move from one location to another in search of two things water and grasses for their cattle. In a country where such things are hard to find, and when one is located, it’s just commonsense to stay put. Southern Kaduna is a land blessed with both, but the inability of the herdsmen and the settlers to manage their relationship has turned the once amorous relationship into a war that has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.

In the year 1999, there was a crisis between Hausa and Yoruba traders in Sagamu, Ogun state Nigeria. According to history, the Hausas in Sagamu were involved in cattle breeding and kolanut trading which made them prosperous, this in turn made many of their kindred flock into the community. But the July 1999 crisis which broke out has left an unforgettable memory on both ethnic groups, with the after effects still visible in the town till date.

Also, the recurring crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Benue state always questions the continuous multi ethnic cohabitation existing among major tribes in Nigeria as the relationship has brewed more evil than good.

The 2016 crisis between the Hausas and  Yoruba traders in Mile 12 market in Lagos which has been a recurrent one has also cast a blithe on the continuous ethnic cohabitation in the country. The crisis has defied any permanent solution despite all efforts made by the Lagos State government.

With all these clashes, why do we need to live together, if all we end up doing is killing one another

This is not a call for the break up of Nigeria, but a suggestion on a way forward to bring a permanent solution to these recurrent crisis.

At the moment some states are creating grazing reserves for Fulani herdsmen while others are building separate markets for the Hausas as a means of eradicating the continuous multi ethnic clashes.

The earlier we take a second look at multicultural cohabitation the better for all.