THE Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Ecclesiastic Province, Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, has asked Nigerians to ponder on the issue of nationhood and ascertain if all deeds since amalgamation truly reflect Nigeria as a nation.

In a message made available to The Guardian and titled “Nationizing Nigeria,” he noted: “As we thus look forward to that anniversary of our cobbled nation since 1914 in the face of continuing bloodshed, inter-ethnic tension, uneasy public relationships, suspicious and subtle moves and maneuvers, it is necessary to ask ourselves whether we are truly a nation and whether we genuinely want to be one nation. My position is that we generally answer in the affirmative that we are a nation.

“But our body language, our political, religious, ethnic, social and local preferences and intrusions often deny what is affirmed. If Nigeria is to become a nation in the full sense of the word, then we have a duty, nay a mission, to nationise Nigerians and Nigeria in the family sense of giving birth to and caringly nurturing what has been delivered.”

“To nationize ourselves as one Nigerian family would imply a grateful sense of belonging to this nation by most Nigerians even within our varied ethnic and religious allegiances; it would imply a patriotic sense of ownership over the Nigerian entity shown.”