This is Nigeria. Home to over 140 million people (never mind the government’s position) and replete with enough dialects to make Babel envious (as at last count, Nigerians spoke about 250 dialects – meaning, of course, about 250 ethnic groupings, but we don’t like talking about that, do we now?), Nigeria is the largest black nation on earth. And as is usual, our ever-sycophantic politicians have coined various names for the nation they pretend to defend her interest by day, and actually do plunder by night. To this effect, Nigeria has come to be known as the “Giant of Africa”, “The Big Brother of Africa”, and my personal favourite, “The Heart of Africa” among others names.
Don’t be fooled. Most of the time, it’s just semantics.
But I love Nigeria.
I’m fiercely Nigerian, and no matter what happens – be it Abacha, Obasanjo, violence in the North (with reprisal attacks in the East)or the average sleazy politician – I was, am, and will always be Nigerian. I know no other home. I know no other love.
I shall be buried in no other soil.
You see, despite being Igbo, I have never been interested in the ever-boisterous clamour by some of my brothers for the balkanization of Nigeria (and in the effect, create a sovereign state of Biafra). For me, the unity of Nigeria as one, indivisible (albeit federal) entity is a non-issue, ergo, deserves no debate. However, every now and then some crazy, delusional, perpetually short-sighted politician incites some hungry, out-of-work and (don’t take this the wrong way) hopeless youths to rise up against their brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and children. And for what? A promise at least, and a few thousand Naira at most.
At such times I am greatly tempted to consider the parochial “elixir” of a divided Nigeria. But my faith is not shaken. Still, I believe in Nigeria.
Today, I leave this message for those who think the spirit of the Nigerian people will be broken by a few pockets of violence orchestrated by greedy, self-serving, depraved and utterly clueless “leaders”: Nigeria was, is, and will remain one indivisible entity. We shall overcome.
So help us God.
About Me
- Muse
- I'm still in the learning process about me! Still, to different people I'm different things, so you'll have to come closer to know. One thing's for sure though: I'M FIERCELY NIGERIAN!
6 comments:
we shall...........i concur
erm.........pls take word verification off.....thanks........
lol word verification. yeah muse tk the darn thing off!!....
ahem ...down to the talk at hand. i agree with the general gist of your tirade muse. i've believed in a unified nigeria. i've adored our incredible diversity and i brag on it every chance i get.however, you seem to lay the blame solely at the feet of the politicians. i have to disagree with that. yeah, there is precious little that we can do come election time, but in the everyday of a typical nigerian. there is A LOT of corruption. even if we cannot do anything about who our leaders are, we can do something about encouraging corruption. even the most honest of us condones "yahoo-yahoo", praises the con man, labels the honest man in power who refuses to take bribes or steal money as a mugun and a disgrace. you talk of change, but before a physical change, there must be an internal change. at the beginning of a great nation, or the end of a great tyranny, there must come an outcry from the people. i remember watching the stand in tiananmen square. can you seriously see nigerian students doing that? i remember the isolated moments students or anyone have dared to stand up 4 something. one person falls, and your impassioned crowd disperses quicker than you can say ru.....see what i mean?
anyway the point is why not start this hope and change with ourselves huh? eventually these shameless, money-hoarding bloated politicians we currently have will fade away; my problem is that i doubt that the politicians (from our generation no doubt!!) will be any better. think abt that muse cuz when u get there.....if you mess up.....well, you've seen wanted havent u? my many greats grandpa was a weaver ;)
@ibiluve: i'm taking the annoying thing off now!
@ incoherent: thanks for your peculiar insight. truth is, one person cannot do this alone, which is why we need a lot of young people like you and I who see things from different perspectives.
Looks like you and I are really going to share pages in that history book after all!
Hmmm! I agree with you. Sacrifice for ones country is not something that is encouraged in Nigeria or by Nigerian parents. When I told my parents I wanted to move to Nigeria to be a civil servant and serve the country for a while, they went to church and pray that their enemies not win. Because obviously only Babalawo powers will invoke a fierce patrioctic spirit in a young woman. Arghhh I am tired of our shortsightedness. Service to ones country should be cultivated not maligned.
temite thank you o! my parents are supportive but most people think i'm crazy for wanting to be in my own country when i have "opportunities".....whatever that means
Beautifully scripted.
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