It is not a curse, neither do I hate the north nor the south. It is a simple logical prediction given the status quo. And unless something is done, the situation is almost irreversible.
Why?
1. Birth rate is fast declining in the south compared to the north. Guys want to make it before settling down. Girls want to finish their education or want to be comfortable financially before marrying. With unemployment soaring high and unchecked in the country, many guys are past 40 and still financially unstable. And at 40, guys "manness" is already taking a nose dive. Many girls are nearing menopause and yet no ray of hope. This may push the two to rush into marriage unprepared for. If the marriage manages to produce two kids they tried. There is nothing bad here.
2. Up north, the case is a bit different. Guys get married early, money or no money. Ten kids, that is just the beginning. Average nuclear family over there is 7 members. Yes, this causes more poverty, but is that not why most poverty alleviation programmes focus more on the north? That is a plus for them. There is nothing bad here.
3. Another plus is that multiplying like locust under extreme poverty makes labour cheap for capitalists. That explains why the big man in the south would rather employ a Mai guard from the north rather than Olóde from the south. An Hausa man can collect 5k per month as gate man, just give him a place to sleep. There is nothing bad here.
4. As a result of the 3 above almost all brown collar jobs have been taken over by northerners. Even south western government using direct labour would prefer northerners to dig the gutters. An Hausa Okada rider will charge you 50 naira for a place Yoruba rider will charge 150 naira, yes. The Hausa man does not pay for house rent. He can sleep in a kiosk without feeling his dignity gone. He can quickly arrange marriage with a Yarinya whose mother is a beggar by the road side too. That is more dignifying than professional oloso. There is nothing bad here.
5. Yes, his religion backs that up. He can even take 2,3,4 Yarinya as wife. They will never question his capability to provide for them through his onion business. If he cannot take care of them they will join their grandmother in the begging industry. And thanks to ever magnanimous spinster of the south who will look down on the kids before giving them something. To her, the kids are impoverished and denied basic education, but it is only a child that comes to life that can be taught. And since she has blocked her womb till favorable season comes, a while lineage might be on the verge of extinction with her educated decision.
There is nothing bad here.
6. And one by one, southern family lineage hits the rock in one person that refuses to marry unless he is able to cater for them. The northerners in his midst may not bother about catering for any child. Begging will take care of that, the conscientious southern mind will always give zakat. Pastor also said give alms to the poor and God will reward you with fruit of the womb. Womb that was not used when it was firm and ripped. There is nothing bad here.
7. In the nearest future the northerners are no longer northerners. He can speak your language and gainfully employed as a Cobbler. And since coke and Fanta has damaged your fertility, you are tempted to adopt one of his impoverished child. He will bear your name but the blood that runs in him will not. It does not matter though, we are all black and you are a detribalised person. I agree with you on this. You are very correct. There is nothing bad here.
8. As your population continues to diminish giving rise to another population well adapted to unemployment world, even your state government will start to consider them in the scheme of things. Nomadic schools, Sabongari makeshift school where students can pay with onions and tomatoes and dates. There is nothing bad here.
9. Don't forget democracy is a game of numbers. One day, an Hausa man will contest and win even in the source city of all Yoruba. There is nothing bad here.
10. You are now a retired Dr, lawyer, engineer, your two kids are in London or USA. They have given birth to kids with parallel sexual attractions and you have no right to dictate how they are going to live their live. Perhaps you will write a book to immortalise your name. That is a good idea in a society that does not read. There is nothing bad here.
11. To avoid Loneliness brought by old age, you started befriending the 8 kids of your maiguard and even pay for their school. There is nothing bad here.
By Amb. Bode Oje
Copyright: © 2021
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