In Nigeria, mom owned a Pharmacy, right across our house. We lived in Jos, about five minutes drive from house, but our house was a lot closer to the Muslims. The young lady who worked in mom’s pharmacy shop, although a Christian, lived in the heart of the Muslim community. During one of those times when there was tension – but no actual fight – between Christians and Muslims – mom’s employee (whose name I cannot remember now) always brought us news.
“Tonight is the night!” She always told us. They said they’re coming this night to kill all the Christians. And they’re starting with all the rich Igbo people here.”
We were not rich, but we were certainly Igbo. Our house was not small. It would have definitely given the wrong impression [that we were rich]. Behind us, there was a rich Igbo man whom we rarely saw, but who always drove out in a different car – all with tinted windows. In front of us, a very deaf and very rich man resided. He, too, was Igbo. Beside the deaf man, a rich doctor and his wife, both from Delta State resided. They were not Igbo, but they weren’t Muslims either. Beside us, my uncle’s hotel stood strong. Talk about sitting on a landmine!
So, every night, we went to bed in fear, wondering if it was going to really be the night that the Muslims would attack. Every time one of our dogs barked, we wondered why: armed robbers, reptiles [we had a lot of those, too], unfamiliar late-night visitors, or Muslims? We went to bed with knives, mortar pestles, and sharp, metal suya sticks. We did not have guns, tasers — or at least, mace. In retrospect, I can only imagine what little damage our weapons would have done, if any.
Today, Jos has a different story. The tension between the Christians and the Muslims isn’t imagined or just talked about anymore. It is felt, died for, buried, and mourned. The good news is that we have our very effective Government. They are ever present to lump all the casualties into one mass grave — and then, life goes on.
The Government is alive — or maybe not so alive. Its wife is ambitious, ready to take over the Country. When she cannot, she rallies her sons in-law, debating which one of them would succeed the incapacitated Government. After all, Nigeria is only a little village, a village that hosts 100 to 200 people, plus or minus 50. A constitution (especially one that is written to be obeyed) is only for Countries, big Countries, Countries that have people, people that have education, education that edifies, informs, and betters. That wouldn’t happen to be Nigeria, would it?
Come Saturday, we would be talking about the State of the Nigerian Union on the Verastically Speakin’ Talk Radio. I’ll be co-hosting with Mustapha and Nonso. You really, really don’t want to miss this one. We’ll be talking about Yar’Adua’s life (or lack of it), Turai’s ambition(s), Jonathan’s Acting Presidency, Jos’ violence, and the youth’s recent rally in Abuja (called, Enough Is Enough). You can watch a short video of the rally below, courtesy of 234Next.com
Listen to the show at its usual time, 10am U.S. Eastern (3pm Nigerian time) here.
Join the conversation by calling 1.646.929.1905
Text or e-mail your response(s): 1.443.934.9039 <<>> radio@verastic.com
Follow me on Twitter for quick updates.
P.S. In case you didn’t notice, the blog template has changed. Notice the tabs up there?
P.P.S. Daylight Saving Time has started, so there’s now a five hour difference between U.S. Eastern Time and Nigerian time = the show will now be at 3pm in Nigeria (no longer 4pm).
P.P.P.S. Verastic now has a fan page on Facebook. About time, huh? It was created yesterday. 26 fans is a little lonely. Please join.
P.P.P.P.S. This would be a really, really good time to vote in the poll — at the top right sidebar.
Good Naija Girl says
All I can do is pray for Jos. Those pictures are chilling and I can't stand to see them.
Mamuje says
You are an amazing writer and inspire me each time I read your blog. Its so sad what jos has become… I was in job barely a few weeks ago. I believe God will sort Nigeria out, real soon.
Justjoxy says
And to top it all there's now a silly text going round about how the Northeners are out to poison the Southerners. Enough is really enough.
LusciousRon says
It is very sad indeed! I hope this issue can be sorted out once and for all! May God repose the souls of the dead.
EDJ says
Putting this up on my blog so people know to listen. I'm not gonna miss it!
omotee says
@justjoxy: heard the news yesterday too and i went "are u frigging kidding me?!" they wont do anything about it now until (God forbid) something happens again.
Pray God just settles this once and for all, all these killings to what end?
kay9 says
You can do something about the Jos genocide. Check http://www.helpnigeria.blogspot.com.
CaramelD says
I'll be working on Saturday but I'll be sure to listen later. I wonder what will happen to Nigeria, how far before things break again? Do they want another civil war?
Just...Toluwa says
am always at work when your talk show is on…
but imma try to listen after.
Sad, but i know God hears the prayers of his children!
Jaycee says
Vera, this is one of the highest levels of relevance. I hope the show attracts a lot of people desperate for change. Didn't know you lived in Jos, wow. I am very angry at what is going on in the country right now.
KG says
I'm sorry but the state of the union is that Nigeria is moving ever closer towards being a failed state. And that's if it hasn't already reached there sef.
How long will this incompetence on the part of the government continue to go on? Haven't enough smashing & grabbing gone on and for long enough already?
How long will we continue to live in suspicion, fear of one another, and discord based on ethnic differences, geographic region and religion?
Lord deliver us.
mizchif says
OMG! Omotola is such a tout! (in a hot sexy way, with her heels and everything. loves it)
I still get goosebumbs when i see hear anything Jos related now. And i am so proud of the people who marched yesterday, enough is enough!
I just know it's going to get heated in the chatroom on saturday and boxing will ensue, i will not miss it for the world!
2cute4u says
Hmm My stay in the north precisely in Maiduguri and other northern towns wasn't a funny one.. I never had a good sleep..
Funny thing is they are such wonderful and friendly people, just a few bad ones.. We are organising a project WE.ARE.JOS I hope you'd be interested? As soon as we are through negotiation with the Redcross, I'd let you know..
I hope you'd assist us?
Please visit http://helpnigeria.blogspot.com
Thanks..
http://www.askchacha4free.blogspot.com
Afrobabe says
Enough is enough…
I remember Dad almost bought his retirement home in Jos cos it was the most peaceful place…now….
Vera Ezimora says
Good Naija Girl: I know. I have prayed for Jos tire. Now Jos (and Nigeria as a whole) needs to act, so that God can do the rest.
Mamuje: Thank you sweetheart. You're too kind. I love seeing your name in my comment box. I don't know how the thing is doing me. LOL. You were in Jos, huh? Wow. I really miss the place.
Just Joxy: I really don't know what is up with that dumb text that has been going around. That is how people fuel the fire. Instead of trying to create peace, someone where decided to start a new wave of paranoia and hatred.
Luscious Ron: Amen. The more I think of the issue, the more frustrated I become. I only put this post up, and now there was another set attack in Jos.
EDJ: Thanks, boo!! Yeah, please do put it up on your blog. We need as many people as possible to listen, learn, be informed, and hopefully, make a change somehow.
Omotee: See, the problem with bringing God into this thing is that we ourselves kinda have to do our part first before God steps in. I don't know, I might be wrong. I just solemnly believe that the Nigerian government has failed us. And we, the people, have also failed ourselves.
Kay9: Thank you for the link. So strange, I never thought I'd see Jos and Genocide in one sentence. So unreal.
Caramel: Nne, amaro kwa'm ooo! I don't know if they want a civil war. Right now, Biafra sef is starting to look mighty appealing to me.
Just Toluwa: Indeed, God does hear the prayers of His children. I pray He gives us the wisdom and strength to do what needs to be done.
Jaycee: Yeap. I sure did live in Jos. It was a lovely City, nice weather, quiet and peaceful, nothing like what it has become. I, too, hope that people who are desperate for change and eager to know about what is going on will tune in.
KG: I wish I had the answer to that. It's quite sad that lives are being lost over things that are as silly and petty as religion and tribes. What nonsense.
Mizchif: LOL! Yeah, I know, right? We might need some e-police men or something. But I sure don't mind the drama. Tehehe.
2Cute4U: Oh, really, you are? That is very, very interesting. Let me know the details when you're done organizing.
Vera Ezimora says
Afrobabe: A lot of people used to come to Jos to retire oh. It was such a nice, peaceful place. Now, all that is gone — unfortunately.
LovePaprika says
Usually, I would not be scared by this whole christian-muslim tension in Nigeria. Now I am in the North, although its Abuja, I am in the North still… I just finished reading Chimamanda's Half of a yellow sun! A book which covers the civil war in Nigeria, A book which talks about thE Igbo and Hausa feud…And this mass killing happened in Jos… I am worried… that Nigeria would sit and want to travel back and make history re-occur when other countries are looking forward!!!
Jaycee says
@Vera…nice show today, enjoyed listening to the views of others and looking forward to part II. After discussions like this I usually feel weird, and I start asking myself, "what's the way forward?" It has actually inspired me to talk about one of the issues that was raised. I'll see where that musing takes me…I don't know if I'm going to write about it yet. We'll see…
Cheers…
T.Notes says
Honest,i'm just sick sick sick of this country. And all the talk about "ooh, pray for Nigeria, Nigeria will get better.." Its all starting to cound like BullsH*T to me!Clearly some people want this country split. Why not?
Big Hisss…Just look at all the innocent lives wasted, and we say we have military to protect us.
T.Notes says
Honest,i'm just sick sick sick of this country. And all the talk about "ooh, pray for Nigeria, Nigeria will get better.." Its all starting to cound like BullsH*T to me!Clearly some people want this country split. Why not?
Big Hisss…Just look at all the innocent lives wasted, and we say we have military to protect us.
histreasure says
T-note, there definitely seem to be some sort of complacency in the so-called Joint task Force that's supposed to keep peace..how many people have died in the past week, the lawlessness that permeates this nation is astuonding..