NiDCOM Controversy And The Urgency Of Ethnic Governance Reform

The caller uproar implicit a societal media station shared by the Chairperson of the Nigerians successful Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, which described the Igbo taste radical successful derogatory terms, has erstwhile again brought to the aboveground Nigeria’s fragile taste relations and the responsibilities of those entrusted with nationalist office.

This is not the archetypal clip Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa has been accused of making ethnically charged remarks, nor is it apt to beryllium the past specified contention involving a nationalist official. But to absorption connected personalities is to miss the bigger picture. The existent contented is deeper and much systemic. Rather than autumn connected the defence of prosecution broadside of the divide, we should beryllium asking the deeper question. In my view, that question is: wherefore bash Nigerian nationalist officials repeatedly grounds insensitivity connected matters of ethnicity and individuality without consequences?

Words Matter, Especially successful Public Office

In a federation of implicit 250 taste groups, connection is not neutral. Every nationalist utterance, particularly from those occupying delicate offices, carries weight. A careless connection tin inflame long-standing distrust, harden stereotypes, and deepen divisions.

Public servants indispensable recognize that they are custodians of organization voices, not backstage citizens wielding idiosyncratic opinions. Their statements, online and offline, are signals of authorities argumentation to Nigerians and the world. Public bureau is bigger than the individual. Every utterance carries the value of the nation.

The Perils of Reflexive Defensiveness

Perhaps arsenic troubling is the signifier of reflexive defence from supporters whenever nationalist officials err. Rather than seeking accountability, galore leap to support “our own, our friend, our ally”. This is peculiarly truthful erstwhile the enactment is indefensible.

Take, for instance, immoderate idiosyncratic leaders and groups peculiarly of Igbo ethnicity, chosen evidently for precocious impact, person taken to the aforesaid societal media successful the past hours. Their interventions unscore attempts to warrant alternatively than interrogate the NiDCOM behaviour successful question. This civilization of automatic defence, driven by politics, patronage, oregon identity, undermines nationalist cohesion. You cannot physique a agreed Nigeria if information becomes a casualty of loyalty. Defending wrongdoing due to the fact that of shared individuality oregon interests is simply a betrayal of Nigeria’s corporate progress.

The Accountability Vacuum In galore countries, a elder nationalist servant accused of taste bias would look swift consequences:

• Immediate suspension pending investigation.
• Public apology issued transparently.
• Corrective measures, including retraining oregon dismissal wherever warranted.

In the UK, ministers person resigned implicit a misplaced phrase. In the US, officials person mislaid careers implicit perceived radical insensitivity. Yet successful Nigeria, the lack of organization guardrails means that controversies stroke over, lessons aren’t learned, and the rhythm of impunity continues.

Systemic Gaps That Enable Ethnic Missteps

This latest NiDCOM contention highlights respective structural deficiencies:

1. Lack of Mandatory Training

Few nationalist officials acquisition structured acquisition connected Nigeria’s taste dynamics oregon connected inclusive language.

2. Weak Institutional Oversight

Parliament seldom enforces sanctions oregon demands apologies erstwhile bureau heads transverse the line.

3. Weaponisation of Ethnicity

Politicians exploit taste identities to mobilise loyalty and deflect accountability.

4. Social Media Amplification

In the integer age, a azygous station tin ricochet crossed communities and diasporas wrong minutes, worsening tensions.

Recommendations for Governance Reform Through Ethnic Sensitivity Code of Conduct

Nigeria does not deficiency rules, but it lacks enforced frameworks tailored to today’s realities. Here are 5 urgent steps to see if governance of Nigeria’s divers ethnicity is to beryllium reformed:

1. National Code of Conduct connected Ethnic Sensitivity

Develop a legally enforceable codification binding connected each nationalist officeholders:

• Prohibits ethnically charged language.
• Governs societal media use.
• Ensures dignity successful representing authorities institutions.

2. Mandatory Diversity & Inclusion Training

Before assuming delicate offices, each elder appointees should complete:

• Ethnic Relations Certification – knowing Nigeria’s plural realities.
• Digital Citizenship Training – however to navigate societal media responsibly.
• Conflict Sensitivity Coaching – strategies for situation communication.

3. Graduated Sanctions for Mi...