Oby Ezekwesili, Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, has publicly condemned the recent surge in violence across the country.
She described Nigeria as a “massive killing field,” with mass graves filled with innocent victims, including children, women, and men.
Ezekwesili expressed her concern about the ongoing struggle for the soul of Nigeria. She stated, “Nigeria is in the midst of a fierce battle. Our country has become a vast battlefield, with mass graves overflowing with the blood of innocent victims who have been brutally murdered, battered, or kidnapped, with no repercussions for the perpetrators.”
She further added, “Every Nigerian of goodwill, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, economic status, or political beliefs, is aware that the Nigeria we once knew no longer exists.”
Ezekwesili called for a swift build-up of collective momentum to reach a tipping point. She urged Nigerians to demand a legally mandated National Conversation to fundamentally negotiate and determine the value they place on their lives and the values that will uphold, preserve, and dignify a New Nigeria and its citizens.
She concluded by saying, “Historically, countries begin to die when human life loses its value. This is the situation Nigeria finds itself in. However, by harnessing our collective will, we can confront the demons that have stunted the realization of our country’s immense potential and alter the course of our troubled history.”
