Unapologetically Nigerians!

My Loves!

Hmm.. that doesn't sound right, let's try this again.

Hello there,

Do you know what today is!

Today is the day my beloved country, Nigeria, was released from the crippling bondage of the white man and set free. From the shackles of colonization we broke free and became independent on this day, fifty-four years ago!

         I am filled with so much nostalgia as I listen to the national anthem, it seems so long I used to sing this everyday- the two verses- for six years, hands on my chest, my soldier like stance and my chest out! What a beautiful country Nigeria is, the beauty literally blows my mind. I feel so honored to be a Nigerian, it is truly a blessed nation.

       Today, there would be a lot of criticism on why we should not celebrate, they will come with valid criticisms on how we are going to fail as a state in the year 2020. They will bring up the Ebola virus and how failed our health system is; they will talk about our this nation of ours has failed in its primary role of safeguarding its citizens from outside/inside threat, how the people live in constant fear of Boko Haram. They will remind each and everyone of us that the Chibok girls are still missing and the military/government has not been able to find them and bring them to safety. They will elaborate on the corrupt system and leaders, the failing educational system, the lack of stable electricity and the inability of the nation to provide its people with basic life amenities. Critics will harangue for hours about the crumbling agricultural and financial sector and the over dependence of the GDP on the oil and gas sector.

     WHO, UNESCO, UN and developed countries will release heartbreaking statistics of how an average Nigerian is plagued with poverty, living below the poverty line of a dollar a day. Yes, this is the hard truth, they will not be wrong to talk (and they should talk) about this as this is our reality; we are a country plagued with serious predicaments. The thing is, I know all these but I still want to celebrate today. Americans still celebrate 4th of July even though people get killed everyday in the Southside of Chicago, there will be fireworks and people decked in blue, white and red. It is not that they are ignorant about their many problems, on the contrary, they believe as a country they can accomplish and conquer all, and that  is what makes Americans Americans.


      You see, I learnt a lot of things when NEPA took light. Whenever NEPA or to be more accurate PHCN took light, I would go to my grandpa's balcony and he will tell me stories which my cousins in diaspora would not know, since they didn't have the pleasure of NEPA taking the light just after 3 minutes of bringing it. I shall elaborate. One of those many nights of no electricity my grandfather told me tales of how he was breastfed till he was 9! Now if not for the power outage, will I have heard this beautiful story of a 9-year old being breastfed? Okay that sounds disgusting but the point is we bonded.

    Another one was when I asked him about my grandma and he told me that my grandma was actually pregnant before they got married and she was heavily pregnant at their wedding. First off, I was shocked, I could not believe my grandma, my very strict and "better don't let these boys deceive you" grandma actually let my grandpa "deceive" her, then it got a bit awkward when I kept on staring at him and he realized what he just told me. My brother told me recently the only time I had his time was whenever they took the light( who are these "they" we are always saying took the light). This is not true as I was and I'm still a very attentive sister but it was during this power outages that we socialized and played with our neighbors, ran to our friend's house to hear the latest gist, I truly miss this. Do you know I have no idea who my next door neighbors are, for all I know they might be BTK killers!

     So this Independence day I will wear my dobale shirt from Allen & Fifth (as the weather is too cold to venture outside in Ankara) and I will proclaim to all who care to listen that today is Nigeria, my country's independence day and they should prostrate to the king of Africa because we are going to rise like the phoenix from the ashes and soar so high.

I will most importantly pray for this great nation. I pray:
may each and everyone of those Chibok girls be filled with unending peace and courage to face their unimaginable captivity
may their captors' hearts be softened and touched so they can release these girls
may the terrorist attacks and the evil works of Boko Haram and all related evil doers cease
may our leaders be filled with  renewed patriotism so growth and development be paramount
may the corruption in each and everyone of us turn into generosity
may we, the youth rise up for justice and unity!
may we be more than tribes forcefully bound together but a nation whose strength is in its diversity may we abolish tribalism from our homes and hearts and truly, truly be a united nation
may we be fueled with such great and undying love for our country
may the pledge we make become more than words we say but words we live by.

                I pledge to Nigeria my country,
                to be faithful, loyal and honest,
                to serve Nigeria with all strength,
                to defend her UNITY and uphold her honor and glory.
                 So help me God


Most importantly, may we be unapologetically Nigerians!

Happy Independence Day,
Seunla




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