Good Bye Nigeria

I 

Transition

Migration

Re-orientation

Integration

Freedom? 

No need bothering yourself with the answer 

If only the wind had not blown away

The corrugated roof of my grand father’s house

I will still have shelter

Where the wandering ghost of my ancestors will be appeased

Am about to start a romance with the foreign gods 

Soon,

Very soon

I will no longer have the privilege

Of listening to the trade marks of Lagos – my Lagos

“Oshodi – Oshodioo-o-o-o!”

“Your side, your side”

“Wole, wolewa” 

I will miss the “Due process” and “Federal Character” principles

I will miss the “fight against corruption”

I will miss the rhetoric from AC – the only party still standing

I will miss Bola Tinubu and the madness of Lagos 

What I will not miss

Is the sipping of my beer ever Friday night

After escaping from the VI and Apapa traffic

I won’t miss the liberty of doing anything and going free

I won’t of course miss my bosom friends

Some of whom have given me list of expectations

As long as the third mainland bridge 
 

II 

Next week,

I will travel to my village (hoping I will cross the gully erosions along Lagos-Benin road)

To see what is left of my erosion threatened abode

It will be an honour to kill a fowl

Under the cashew tree in my fathers big compound

I will spill the blood on the mother earth

In communion with the gods of my father’s

Who knows? 

Who said the electrons must revolve round the nucleus? 

I will miss Lagos

I will miss Nigeria

I will miss Yar”Adua

I would have loved to watch the drama unfold in Aso Rock

Watch the imbeciles dance to their discordant tones

From Ota Farm and Mina 

III 

When the drums starts to beat again,

Where will you be?

Or have you stopped dancing

Just because the mad bulls are on stage? 

When this transition is over

I hope to get back and rescue my state

From Andy Uba when he tries to make a comeback

I pray my beloved Nigeria will still be intact

When this transition is over

Or will I like the rest of my country men

Who had earlier taken the road am about to follow be lost?

Tufiakwa! 

That is what they all say at the beginning of the transition

Transition to “greener pastures”

From the pastures to the subsurface

Then the evolution

Evolution to acquiring foreign citizenship

Being absorbed in the system where things “work”

Finally reincarnating as visitors to motherland

Until old enough for old peoples home.

Or “until death do us part”? 

Whatever may the dire consequences of this course

The squirrel is at the tail of the palm frond

What is left is “soft” landing

Until then,

Good bye Nigeria  

Although I hope to be back soon  

Churchill Okonkwo

Churchill.okonkwo@gmail.com  

Robot  Villager

# 1 I pray my beloved Niger...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 11.07.2007 09:18

chudiokeke2001  JJC

# 2 The Churchill, Good to hear from you again after being away for such a longtime. What a nice piece!!!!!!!!!!!! Valkomen till village (wellcome back to the village) And all the best when the romance with the foreign gods starts, But the foreign gods i know, don't hurt, They are kind and not aggressive, So far the romance is holy and not unholy, Though they are worshipped and appeased in different ways, But not too alien that you will not learn and adjust, All the best my dear Big Bros and Mentor. Chudi Okeke. Chalmers University, Sweden. Posted by chudiokeke2001| 11.07.2007 09:57

Ani  Villager

# 3 ...i've read better poems Posted by Ani| 11.07.2007 12:30

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 4 Ani, "I've read better poems" And so? Write your own and let the world see. Arrogant nonsense!! Posted by Mikky jaga| 11.07.2007 14:07

Lion of the Desert  JJC

# 5 Churchill, Hilarious but true... As you dance with the foreign Gods may you have home in your heart. Tread softly as green pastures are very lush and sometimes you may sink. Posted by Lion of the Desert| 12.07.2007 05:43