Clear and Present Danger- chapter one.

Creating the country

Nigeria is arguably one of the largest black nation in the world today. An entity created in the most controversial of circumstances.

Buoyed by the prospect of colonization and economic exploitation, the British empire under the watch of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd , amalgamated both the northern and southern protectorate to make for easy governance by the crown.

It was a decision that was based solely on economic profitability for the colonizers, rather than for the good of the inhabitants of the twin protectorates. It was by no means a noble act, as Nigeria, The result of the union proved to be a total misfit-Regions with two very distinct cultural heritage and beliefs that already had workable system of governance in form of small clans, with fragmented political system and other form of governance in place brought together to live as one. One supposedly united nation.

Creating Nigeria, a country built out of the Niger area, the British had engineered what would obviously be one of the greatest mishap in history. It wasn't long after the country gained her independence in 1960 , after years of struggle, that the country began to experiences cracks and palpable discords. The diversity was too steep; and the people, instead of living together as one united Nigeria, leaders and the common man, became conscious of their kinsmen and their ethnic brothers. The term one Nigeria soon became an illusion and a milestone that seems almost impossible to achieve- A pipe man's dream.

Nigeria, an entity many believed should never have being, had experience its share of strife and struggle. A struggle to keep a troubled nation together. Many turbulent times has left the country and its people with misfortunes of varied degrees. There have been civil war, communal crises, terrorism, economic instability just to mention a few among the myriad of misgivings that have plagued the country for years.

During the British infamous foray into the shores of Nigeria, Their initial attempt at colonization was meted with some form of resistance especially from the south, where the people there where more educated and quickly opposed the idea of colonialism. The British had better luck in the north, where the northerners lent themselves to easy governance and apparently were duly rewarded for their loyalty as the British trusted them with important positions which they have enjoyed, even after the country had gained her independence in 1960.

The Britain had created an imbalance in powers, with powers concentrated more on the north. This has created bad blood among the citizenry as the southerners often feels cheated in almost every issue that has political implications. and a veritable source of various discords. Though measures have been taken to correct this impression , with enactment like the federal character- which was created to apparently change the status quo, and create a better atmosphere for peace and stability, yet the cracks that had already been created has left the country vulnerable to manifolds of ills and societal violence.