OPINION – Justice For Uromi 16, By Maryam T. Hamza
I have been so preoccupied with my fellowship which includes lectures and tours to some cities in China; I have not kept in touch with happenings back home. I came online and what I saw shook my soul – couldn’t watch the burning of humans.
While here, I have seen subtle racism particularly from team mates of other whi.te countries with us and I know how that felt but it’s nothing compared to being hated in your own country.
While china is opening up its door to the world with partnerships and healthy diplomatic ties and programmes like the one I am currently on, in my country, it has become glaring clear now more than ever that northerners are no longer welcome in the south. The south is closing its doors to the north. The killings have become like funfair and it is so normal. Even animals are not spared.
Does this now mean that every northerner should refrain from going down south? If you are not lucky to go by flight, you are at high risk going southward by road. I know I wouldn’t even attempt going south for any reason whatsoever.
But do we keep blaming those who go down south to seek livelihood, when millions of southerners are in the north making a living here and doing so safely?
The constitution has given every citizen the right to movement and live in any part of the country. But unfortunately for us, since 2015, since Buhari, almost every northerner has no right to this country. We have become most hated. Most stereotyped. Funny how every kidnapping or crime committed in the south is the handwork of northerners. The south is suddenly free from criminals except those of northern descent.
Only for fear of stereotyping every southerners, would make excuses for many.
So, do we completely stop any relationship with the south and leave their regions? Will it augur well with the nation?
