1st of October – Nigeria’s Independence Day

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

[wpurp-searchable-recipe]1st of October – Nigeria’s Independence Day – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]