THROUGH THE EYES OF AYOKA.
Where is Andrew?

“Hey men ‘am checking out.’
The very line, of our own Enebeli Enebuwa, of blessed memory.
In one of the federal government sponsored t.v ads,
That dominated, our screens, in the late 80’s .
Enebeli Enebuwa, still vibrant and energetic at that time,
Insisted he was on his way out of Nigeria,
Being tired of the system not working.
A female musician, sang a song at that time,
Advising Andrew not to check out,
Nigeria go better.
I humorously believe, that if Sunny Okosun, was still alive,
He would have changed the lyrics of his song ‘ Which way Nigeria’.
I really don’t think we have ever been more confused, than we are today.
Towards the end of the nineties,
The federal government sponsored a set of advert, on t.v
Assuring us that things will automatically get super better,
Just because it’s a new millennium.
I recall
‘ join us, come with us
We are on our way,
Education for all,
By the year 2000.
Its been 15 years, and it’s no news that, we are very far from
Education,
Employment,
Housing,
Electricity.
I wonder, how much I will have to pay,
When my first son Emmanuel gets into the university,
In the next seven years.
If I want the best for him.
I was once a strong advocate of staying behind, to make things better.
But if you can go to Malaysia,
And see flawless roads,
Steady electricity,
Internet at the speed of light,
Taps that run, when you put them on,
You will lose faith in Nigeria,
We had to buy 13 Nepa poles,
To have electricity fixed in our house.
In a country that has an electric authority.
My father died of niabetics,
That’s the result of adding diabetis to the Nigerian factor.
The military hospital, he was admitted discharged all patients,
Prematurely, you want to know why,
They wanted to renovate.
Plus the insulin injections he was taking, was fake.
When I had my first son in a federal government hospital,
(It was far from where my family is)
Guess what ? After 18 hour of labor, I had no water to wash,
So I trekked to the gate, with blood stained wrapper, to buy as many satchets of pure water I could carry,
To get blood of my skin.
Plus, every night through out, the eight days I spent there, we had to go get water,
Some where far.
Plus those who had their babies through c-section,
Would have to bath their baby, immediately they could get up,
Even with willing family members around.
If that is not proudly Nigerian, what else is?
If you get to the uk today,
You will ask your self in an igbotic tone,
‘nne who come dey naija na.
Which country wont you find them?
Australia
Malaysia,
Thailand,
China,
Even Ghana oh.
I found out, its not only Andrew that checked out, he took the other eleven disciples,
No wonder my brother Oriyomi Bankole said, ‘ I cry for nigeria’.
Sincerely, will we get things right?
Even with this our new found wind of change, will change, change the story.
Omowunmi Ayoka.
Thinking Aloud, seeing things, in the eyes of Ayoka.