MANY VOICES, ONE NIGERIA: A CRITIQUE OF NATIONALISM AND NATIONISM

Abstract

It is an undisputable fact that language is an indispensable tool for national development, stability and unity, Language is viewed as the pivot around which all human activities revolve, Such activities as cultural and traditional expressions leading to inculcation of ideologies, establishing interaction amongst people, dissemination of information, advancing education, commerce and industries are the major roles language plays in human and national development. Language is the tool for the integration of diversified cultures, However, with the current ugly trend of events in the political space in Nigeria where inter-group relationship is characterized by rivalry Instead of healthy competition and inclusiveness, dominance instead of cooperation, exploitation instead of collaboration, centralization and dictatorship instead of decentralization and democracy, the problem remains whether one can comfortably say "many voices one Nigeria," With this in mind, this paper attempts a critique of the notions of "Nationalism" and "Nationism" in Nigeria and concludes that the bane of national development in Nigeria is the dominance of nationism.