UYO

There is a city south of Nigeria
Bordered in the south by the Atlantic
The administrative capital of oil rich Akwa Ibom state
Uyo is the name
She is bubbling and sparkling
Like a young maiden
Suitors chase after her
With roses plucked from the garden
A metropolitan center
She is serene and has a gentle mien
A beautiful bride beseeched by many admirers

Ibom connection is the heart of the city
Round, fine and classy
Bringing the major roads together
like a family meeting in december
Ibom plaza is a place to remember
Shops, flowers, water fountains, parks seat
amphitheatre, hangouts spots
A den of photographers
Chasing customers around like the paparazzi

Uyo is a city with decent infrastructure
Architectural masterpieces dot the landscape
Airport, stadium, cinema all of them international
The people are warm and hospitable
It is in their nature
The food is good and suitable
Hotels spring forth daily
Bills are low, high and accessible
Open to wayfarers, guests and tourists

Uyo is a religious lady
Her churches are a dime and a dozen
Found at every corner, nook and cranny
Pentecostal and orthodox they include
Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Catholic, Qua Iboe
Winners, Redeemed, Power city, Apostolic, Full life, Victory chapel
Filled with worshippers with prayer requests
As diverse as the languages in the tower of Babel

The city of prophets, prayer houses & vision centers
Commandeered by self styled bishops, pastors & overseers
Raining down prophecies left, right and center
Hapless folks flock in to fight the unseen enemy
Carrying out assignments for a change of destiny
While the clerics smile to the banks as the money pile up

Uyo is a city of yellow tricycles
Drivers plying main roads, sidestreets & backstreets
Seeking for passengers in a bid to earn a living
Exotic vehicles racing along with sirens
Politicians, business men and celebrities
Enjoying the comfort only money can buy

Poverty and penury lives next door to riches
Elites live in highbrow areas with no hitches
in palatial mansions, Ewet housing and Shelter afrique
Money is the real deal, if only you can pay the bills

Uyo dazzles with radiance at night
The city comes alive with bright lights
Illuminating the streets tis a great sight
A beauty to behold, not to be told
The hangouts and entertainment spots bubbles
Night crawlers and fun seekers, singles and couples
Hit the fun spots to while away the time
Dog meats, spicy sauces & drinks are the menu prime
Roasted plaintain, grilled chicken & ufofob
are all in line

The Red light district fills up with patronizers
Hunters and hawkers even vulcanizers connect
Business booms as they lay unseen
Frolicking in the valley of sin
Maitama.

Uyo is a commercial city
Markets bustling with goods
Udua akpan andem, udua itam
Shopping centers, supermarkets & Boutiques
But her source of income is monthly
Civil servants count the days quietly
Waiting for the sms alert
That shows that the pay has rolled in
while contractors and businessmen
hold sway
holding cash
hoarding cash
spending cash

A city of good roads
Smooth and shiny they lie entwined
One lane, four lanes, two lanes, highways
Flyovers, pedestrian bridges, walkways
Aka road, Oron road, Ikot ekpene road
Nwaniba road and Abak road
The central business district
The abode of banks
Renamed after a president
No one cares to remember

Ikpa road stands strong
The domicile of University of Uyo
A school of stress
A citadel of knowledge
churning out graduates that impress
Staying at the top of their fields
worthy of praise

Uyo they say sometimes is a city soulless
Dry, drab and hapless
Youths huddled round newspaper vendor stands
Debating politics & local conspiracies
Stuck in the Etok syndrome
Unwilling to see the mental picture
of the big future

Uyo welcomes you with open arms
won’t you come into her embrace?
http://uyocalyaxis.com/poetry-uyo-by-iniobong-umoh/

Nice one
For the first time I'm seeing a write up from Akwa Ibom without any mention of the governor. This would stand for ages

Wonderful write up... front page pls

Uyo is beautiful

nice write up Leroi