Written by Tony Anike
The Perspective...
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 y'all 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!