As we search for answers from the depths of our souls, we are confronted rather with more complex questions, but then, it is in such complexity that we thrive as a people, surviving many crises and a war. We are indeed a persistent people. We are also a proud people, though we are cowed at the moment, though our heads are bowed to the side at the moment but we shall not surrender, we will not give up. We march on until we arrive at the elevated platform and count ourselves amongst the world’s great nations, the place that our God want us to be. Only then shall we as a people shout out aloud, in unison to proclaim the greatness in all of us.

As I wait for that one day, I decided to take a tour of our country, along the line I met some of our great men and women but who have since passed on adorning our walls. I was greeted on the way by the smiles of Queen Amina of Zaria hanging on a frame, that warrior who has inspired the modern day Nigeria woman, Funmilayo Ransome – Kuti, and Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji also belong to that elite specie of women.

Nnamdi Azikiwe is also amongst the greats, and so is Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa, the triumvirate’s exploits contributed to the independence we enjoy today.

Though our history is now chequered and tainted by our past, a period of great turmoil and military dictatorship, but then even in the midst of dryness, hope sprang up in Murtala Mohamed and Tunde Idiagbon, short lived were their times and tenure as is all good tidings and things that have come our way, but the memories of their dream and agenda for our nation we still cherish.

And still we trudge on in expectation, mixed with anxiety of what tomorrow may bring, here and now we are but our hope lies there where we ought to be.

Along my journey Rashidi Yekini also smiled at me, and so did Jay-Jay Okocha, I saw Mary Onyali – Omagbemi spring past, fast on her heels were Innocent Egbunike, Chidi Imo, Fatima Yusuf and Chioma Ajunwa, they said they were heading to the arena of immortality, the place of champions and that i was invited, i asked them to greet Peter Akakasiaka, Nduka 'Duke' Odizor, Atanda Musa and the rest which I couldn’t quite see, I was sure that I already knew their names and so do we all, their huge footsteps in the sands of time are visible never to be obliterated by the roaring oceans. I wished I could be like them, Nigeria is lucky to have them, may God bless the fruits of their works. I wondered what it is I could do for my country; John Fitzgerald Kennedy once challenged Americans to rise up and think only for country and not for self. The glory then may lie in the common good, in sacrifice and in self-belief. Oh my generation!

I witnessed the Eyo masquerade festival in Lagos, Aha! Lagos, the town of the strong and brave hearted, I saw multitudes of people waiting at the bus stops for molue and danfo buses which were all over the place, and I marvelled at the skills which Lagosians have perfected as they alight and board the busses; this life, this Lagos, this Nigeria. Fela was right, inside the molue buses, 44 sat and 99 stood, and yet they all had smiles on their faces, hope?

As the sun beat down on me, I considered going to Eko, Ereko, Alpha or Bar beach to cool off, I smiled aloud, mother nature had indeed blessed this land.

I woke up and found myself in Abuja, in my dreams I had passed through Jos and its many hills, but Zuma Rock stood like the rock of Gibraltar and beckoned, welcome to Abuja it seem to be saying, Nigeria’s unity town. Though I wished I could stay longer, but Abuja I had to leave, I wanted to be with my people, I remembered Frank Olize and his common men, with them I wanted to be.

I have heard so much about Argungu in Kebbi and there I decided to visit, I saw many fishermen and their catches, they rejoiced in their fishing festival just like other Nigerians do during their various festivals, the joy and pride of our people.

As I toured Nigeria’s towns and villages, the beautiful vista, green vegetation and vast farmlands consumed me, the sheer generosity of mother nature engulfed me, fortune lies in wait I thought. Kids greeted me along the way; I saw in their faces the future, a new Nigeria just like Obianuju Arinze, Agbani Darego and Oluchi Onweagba have demonstrated.

At Awka, I saw children playing in the village square; they seemed to be acting a play, with perfect improvisation. Their dreams seemed tall, I knew that Nollywood will live forever, when the sun sets on Ejike Asiegbu, Eucharia Anunobi, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Bamtefa and on Genevieve Nnaji, there would be no cause for alarm, the future is already here, on our streets. Only that I wished that they would receive the type of support that Sophie Okonedo, Sade Adu and Nas received, the world stage would then be theirs.  

The next morning, I woke up and read Wole Soyinka’s Trials of Brother Jero once again, searching for clues and answers to our troubled past and present, I made a note to read Jero’s Metamorphosis too. I was trying to establish a connection between a troubled past and a glorious future. I also remembered our heroes past and present, I prayed that their labours may not be in vain: Dele Giwa, Chinua Achebe, Philip Emeagwali, Akeem Olajuwon, Pa Michael Imodu, M.K.O Abiola, Tai Solarin and all the rest of them.

Again sunset, peace and quite surround me, the moon shine brightly and the crickets sing in the dark. I lie down and close my eyes and my dreams carried me away.

And so I woke up and wondered; Nigeria, what is it to me? the country of my birth? the land of limitless opportunities flowing with oil and natural minerals? a land of 419ers, fraudsters and corrupt politicians? a land of sports men and women? a land of the great lakes and rivers? a land of the mighty warriors, kings and queens with age-long traditions? the land of a people with the great smiles and spirits? a land with the great divisions - east, west, north and south? or the land with an economy waiting to be pillaged and plundered? I should find my own answers, you too.

Nigeria my country, buried deep in my soul, dwelling in the heart of Africa, a beautiful land, a hard working people, a virgin country, great and mighty yet she will be.

Uche Nworah is a freelance writer and lives in London. uchenworah@yahoo.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 Link to the article is here Posted by Robot| 01.10.2005 02:32

Odinaka  Villager

# 2 I agree with Uche that Sheffer needs to use the Obi Okonkwo\'s type of English-is and was ( reference to Achebe\'s No longer at ease) But even with the big grammars, Sheffer\'s message is crystal clear. We do not have a Nigerian that puts the people first, that is fashioned to promote the peace and prosperity of the different ethnicities in her fold. It is not yet a Nigeria that will bring us to the promised land. Not as long as a band of criminals acting in tandem with the president (who incidentally should be the defender of the people) has the right to rape and bastardise a section of the country-the Anambra case. \"We the people of Nigeria\" is the opening statement of our constitution but there was never a time we sat down to author it, it was a cabal of military boys that gave it to us. Dear Uche nwanne nmadu, Sheffer\'s message is clear and that is the most important message to be considered for Nigeria not to blow up one day. I recommend that Sheffer becomes a guest writer. People who have something good to say need to be heared often Posted by Odinaka| 03.10.2005 04:55

EezeeBee  Villager

# 3 Uche, I think it\'s wonderful how you\'ve very compactly reminded us all of the many personalities, properties and principles that exist to celebrate in, around and about Nigeria. Each one there merits it\'s own tv show, documentary and further study. I disagree with you however on our not paying obeisance to the Queen; we (at least our Governors) evidently still believe that they ought to take \'offerings\' to the realm as often as they can and so they keep taking money out of our countries and stashing it away in real estate in her lands. Pity. I appreciate your literary gift. Posted by EezeeBee| 01.10.2005 15:33

taslim

# 4 a beautiful piece Posted by taslim| 01.10.2005 16:19

Sheffer

# 5 One hopes we will all live to see this great Nigeria we all wish for. However we must distinguish between our \"Nigerian-ness\" as a choice and our Nigerian identity as a contrivedly fixed unchangeable state which has been impressed upon us. In the second case, our Nigerian-ness is manifestated (and I speak from observation), usually, in terms of our relationship with, or loyalty to the strong protagonists of one Nigeria (Obj, Atiku, IBB and co). This is the uncanny and continuing paradox of the whole matter - that the people who support one Nigeria have yet to elaborate principles which place the people as the objects of greatest importance. Their expectations of Nigeria remain characteristically limited and defined within the framework of whimsicality of \"archetypal\" political personalities. It\'s almost as though since their country is Nigeria, then their guiding sociopolitical doctrines are necessarily fascist, and based on the reality of firm hierachies of power rather than a truly democratic perspectives. This is the most worrying failure of the GOWON people, and perhaps, in itself, the strongest argument against one Nigeria as we know it today. I wish to add that our sharp polarisation into the super affluent class and the suffering hopeless masses - the result of our hierachal society - only makes us collectively weaker as a whole, because it reflects deep underlying inadequacies in the system; inadequacies that will take only a little challenge to expose; because they have left the majority hopelessly disenfranchised. Let us free our minds of \"Nigeria\" - to whatever is right, Proper, and edifying. And let that be our guide. Posted by Sheffer| 01.10.2005 20:10

uche nworah

# 6 Sheffer Your grammar plenty for me o! a beg make you dey break am down. Eezeebee and Taslim, i\'m honoured. Posted by uche nworah| 02.10.2005 07:34

Anike

# 7 Brilliant doea not cut it. I guess she is to each what she/he makes of her. Posted by Anike| 03.10.2005 18:14