Nigeria is independent, her independence already 51 years long.
And still….a distance to go
I’d love to share two poems: one written by me and the other, shared with my daughter’s class (full credits to come)
#1 – ‘Nigerian Green’ with Angry Pride, Oz
Today, I am green Green with anger Longing for the Nigeria of old And green with pride Seeing Nigeria as it soon will be The streets are lined with men and women Storefronts festooned with bales of green satin and draped with white banners Green-white-green flags flail in the air Stripes that promise loyalty And honor, faith and peace If Nigeria were a woman She would be middle-aged She would gird her loins with rich cloth And wear her African hips with pride Her husband would cleave unto her And love her with careless abandon She would sway with abundance Arms lined with beads and copper Of history and culture, And languages and laughter Her children would bask in her warmth The sun ushering in its grace She would do no harm Could do no harm and Did do no harm But she is Nigeria, a country My Country, Nigeria Beloved trigger of Africa She will take her place
#2 – Nigeria, My Nigeria (credits to be provided soon)
Africa, The great land of beauty Riches and honour The gun of the world But there you lie so helpless Not as strong as you should be Who’ll will pull your trigger Nigeria, Oh my Nigeria Trigger on Africa’s gun When will you shoot Africa to stand up And protect her children Rise up Nigeria Put down your load of corruption and greed Rise up Shoot Africa high To stand strong Never to lie low To stay awake Never to sleep We are the trigger of Africa The Giant of Africa Let us rise and shoot her high To her place of dignity Honour and Prestige
Lovely post and inspiring words, thanks!
Lovely post–words, photos, everything! Happy independence day, your first time celebrating at home in a few years perhaps?
Thanks for your care and kind words. Celebration was fun, even without green dye in my hair! I slept…..and read a book on colour and its inspiration – that’s celebration enough, isn’t it?
Happy Independence Day. If I could write half as eloquently as you, I’d be happy. Well done Oz.
I hope you celebrated – and also hope your hopes and dreams for Nigeria become a reality.
YOu always have moving posts
Your talents never cease to amaze me!