UNITY IN DIVERSITY: DIVERSITY IS POSITIVE FOR NIGERIA

Diversity refers to the experience of human differences and commonalities, it is an experience which is relevant and enriching if it is properly handled.Diversty is also defined as a commitment to recognizing and appreciating the variety of characteristics that make individuals unique in an atmosphere that promotes and celebrates individual and collective archievement.Examples of these characteristics are:age,cognitive style,culture,economic background,ethnicity,gender identity, geographic background, languages spoken, political affiliation,race,and religious beliefs(University of Tennessee Libraries Diversity committee, spring 2001;Revised January 2003).

      The society of human kind reconciles unity with diversity in human affairs because it must have both, if it is to have any realistic chance of achieving its aim. Indeed, the society goes so far as to identify diversity as both the cause and the purpose of human unity, as well as being the most valuable quality and characteristic of any viable human group.

Abdu’l-Baha in Paristalks says: 

“Differences which are only those of blood also cause them to destroy and kill one another. Alas! that this should still be so. Let us look rather at the beauty in diversity, the beauty of harmony and learn a lesson from the vegetable creation. If you beheld a garden in which all the plants were the same as to form,colour and perfume, it will not seem beautiful to you at all,but,rather,monotonous and dull. The garden which is pleasing to the eye and which makes the heart glad is the garden which are growing side by side, flowers of every hue, form and perfume, and the joyous contrast of color is what makes for charm and beauty. So is it with trees. An orchard full of fruit trees is a delight; so is a plantation plant with many species of shrubs. It is just the diversity and variety that constitutes its charm; each flower, each tree, each fruit, besides being beautiful in itself, brings out by contrast the qualities of others, and shows to advantage the special loveliness of each and all”

   Nigeria is a heterogeneous society with diverse and complex ethnic, economic, cultural, linguistic, religious and social realities. Nigeria has a population of about 150 million people, more than 250 ethnic groups, and about 400 dialects. The three major linguistic groups in Nigeria are: Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo. Subsumed in these three major ethnic groups are many minority groups. In order to be successful, people from these various ethnic groups must unite to explore their positive potentials for the good of the nation the positive potentials of diversity need to be tapped to transform our great nation. Valuing our differences convert such differences into a huge success.

     Diversity can be a positive tool for the promotion of social, economic, cultural and political development of our country if it is properly managed. Cultural diversity has been defined as the representation, in one social system, of people with distinctly different group affiliations of cultural significance (Cox, 1993).Incorporating the cultural values and aspirations of different ethnic groups, while also bringing a common ground where various groups can interchange their cultural heritage with each other. Such cultural exchanges could result in an increase in national consciousness and nation building.

     Economically, if diversity is properly handled, Nigeria will have a competitive advantage in the global market. Nigeria has enormous natural resources that we could harness and expose to the global market, thereby generating revenue for our dear nation. It is true that abundant mineral resources ranging from gold, coal iron ore, granite, diamond and special food items that are unique to the different geographical locations of our country can be showcased to the world. This is possible only when we understand the need for unity in diversity..

    Politically, great political minds can be traced from different sections of the country among members of the various ethnic groups. this is only possible if we are able to bring sectional political marginalization to a halt through the recognition of the positivity of unity in diversity.Therefore, if justice will be guaranteed in our political system, competent leaders will emerge from any part of the country to ensure political excellence. By so doing, the positive aspect of diversity in case of leadership will be achieved.

 Queen Amina of Zaria (Zau Zau)

   As a result of diversity, Nigeria is made up of three principal religions: Islam, Christianity and African traditional religion. All religions canvass the acquisition of knowledge, justice, and fairness in the conduct of worldly affairs, including honesty, transparency, and service to mankind.So,if only members of these religions will unite and utilize the positive values of these religions, Nigeria will be an attractive society that will be the envy of  other countries.

   Unity in diversity is the highest possible attainment of a civilization, a testimony to the noblest possibilities of the human race. This attainment is made possible through passionate concern for choice in an atmosphere of social trust. Nigeria is filled with people who possess wondrous diversity of experiences, opinions, physical appearance, cultures, and religions. One of the challenges of Nigerians is not only to find a way to live in harmony with people that differ from us, but to celebrate our diversity and learn from it. We can only learn a limited amount from those who are like us but there is a fortune of new knowledge to be gained from those who have a different perspective to our own.

     Finally, Nigerians must learn to articulate a general human interest that transcends the particularistic interests of ethnicity, culture, and geographical location in order to move our country forward give it a positive outlook.

Reference:

 Renee Bridgeford Esq. (2003), Cultrual Diversity in Nigeria: Perculiraities of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo; http://magazine.biafranigeriaworld.com/rbridgeford/2003jan10.html

Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism (1996); Cultural Policy in Nigeria; http://www.wwcd.org/policy/clink/Nigeria.html

 Obono O. (2009); Cultural Diversity and Population Policy in Nigeria; http://www.jstor.org/pss/3092736

Nigeria: Culture and Tourism; http://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/culture1.shtml