I am Nigerian .... with roots in Igboland, born close to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Calabar, formed to the sound of the music of Oodua heritage and language, fashioned by the social savviness and rich culture of Edo land, propelled by experiences in the sleeping but historic towns of Ijebuland and launched in the remote border towns of Oke-Iho, Iwere-Oke, Saki -Ogun O ro ke, Agbede O ro baba! Enlightened by the experiences with my Fufulde speaking Fulani and Hausa families, challenged by the questions and hardworking Tiv, Idoma and Igala peoples. I am a descendant of Ndigbo ancestors but really - I am a Nigerian ...feeling every pain of disasters and deprivation of my people in Borno, the strife in Kano, the poverty of forgotten Almajirirs children in the North and area boys in Lagos and southbound territories. I cry because of the fate of the Allen Avenue babes representing our young women forced to sell their bodies to survive. I hear the tiredness and groaning of my Anang, Ibibio and Efik peoples. I feel the despair and anger of my Niger-Delta peoples trod underfoot because of the curse of crude oil. I sense the ghost of unresolved pain of millions of Ndigbo who died fighting for what we continue to fight for now. I understand the fear in the country bedevilled by uneasiness and frustration of million of young Nigerians who resort to dark means to survive the joblessness and hopelessness in the land. I weep as my people flee in droves from motherland seeking greener pastures abroad. I am Nigerian and proud to be so ... I will not deny or mock my nation. I will not forget the poor masses who suffer same fate all through our country. I seize to criticize and offer no solutions. I will not stop dreaming even as Providence forges the nation in the fire of strife meant to teach us wisdom and lead us back to the path that respects every citizen. I am of Igbo stock, Efik, and stand with peoples of Ogoja tribes. I am united with my Yoruba family, Edo, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Afemmai, Akoko-Edo, Ebira, Tiv, Idoma, Igala, Kadara, Fulani and Hausa by experience ....Whatever it is....I am Nigerian. I wish yall never stop thinking, planning and hoping for a better nation! It shall be well even as we plan and dream! Providence will show its hands, even as more dark-times await us because our leadership is blind to reason and lead our people to wander and quarrel blinded by ignorance and suffering in the midst of plenty. We are Nigerians - and with Lagbaja realize na wetin u dey find I dey find!
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:16:14 +0000
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