Senator Shehu Sani has lamented the erosion of Nigeria’s early national unity, citing the cross-regional origins and careers of several of the country’s foremost leaders as evidence of a more integrated past.
On his X handle on Saturday, Sani listed prominent figures whose lives straddled different parts of the country. He noted that Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu were both born in Zungeru, Niger State. Renowned author Cyprian Ekwensi was born in Minna, also in Niger State.
He further recalled that human rights activist Kudirat Abiola was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, while Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu was born in Kaduna. Former Oyo State Governor Bola Ige, he said, “grew up in Kaduna.” Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka’s father was a Headmaster in Zaria where Soyinka “partly grew up.”
Sani also pointed to early political crossovers, saying Umaru Altine from Sokoto State was the first elected Mayor of Enugu, and Ike Madu from Imo State was an elected member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
“Everything was going well; What must have happened to that National Unity?” the former Kaduna Central Senator asked.
