I. Nigeria-
One of Mother Africa’s most beloved Children,
Residing on the near side of Her west-
Blessed from the day You were conceived;
No trouble had You at all in gaining Your freedom
Hence,
No bloody sign of violence on Your symbol
That peaceful, smart Flag of Yours.
Richly blessed are You by God and Mother Africa
Cultural, human, natural and material resources
You were abundantly blessed with.
A population to suit Your greatness was bestowed to You.
Though the largest surface area You had not,
You were named the Giant of Africa.
I. Nigeria-
One of Mother Africa’s most beloved Children,
Residing on the near side of Her west-
Blessed from the day You were conceived;
No trouble had You at all in gaining Your freedom
Hence,
No bloody sign of violence on Your symbol
That peaceful, smart Flag of Yours.
Richly blessed are You by God and Mother Africa
Cultural, human, natural and material resources
You were abundantly blessed with.
A population to suit Your greatness was bestowed to You.
Though the largest surface area You had not,
You were named the Giant of Africa.
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II. Everything about You is unique
Everyone wants to be associated with You
When You speak,
The rest of Africa has spoken.
When You achieve and merry,
Everyone rejoices with You.
Likewise
Your sorrows are shared.
How You are appreciated, this shows!
III. How saddening it is
That so great a Mother
So loving a parent,
Should such disappointing Children have.
Children who fail You
Children who care not what heartbreak they bring to You.
Now,
You are scorned
For the sake of the wrongs Your Children do
You bear the blames.
IV. You are now a place where everything abounds
From great heroes, heroines and inventions,
To the highest known peak of corruption.
You have come to harbour everything;
Good, Bad, Ugly.
With bad and ugly fast outnumbering good.
Injustice is fast rising
Abuse of the resources You provided Us with to ease our living,
Is a common thing.
Economic instability is no longer a new story
Devaluation of the Naira…
Overpopulated too Your Children have become,
Making it all the more difficult for You
Religious intolerance now leads to the death of most of Your Children.
Ethnicity-a mere concept- is now a serious issue.
You are wont to be asking,
“Did I make a mistake in bringing these children together…
…For their own good and greatness?”
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V. Everything in You and about You
But for Your love for Your Children, has changed!
At Your advanced age,
Your children neglect You
Neglect maintaining, restoring and improving You.
Great men and women You have produced
People capable of looking after You
Yet,
They care not.
VI. Do not forsake Us Mother
Let not down Your anger on Us
For the sake of the number who love and regard You still,
Care for Us still.
VII. Should every Child of Yours love You
Should every Nigerian be a patriot
Should every Nigerian know they are tarnishing Your name and image by the day;
Should every Nigerian set out to achieve things,
Not just for the glory it would bring them,
But ultimately and more importantly I think-
To the superseding glory it would bring You Mother-
I believe our efforts would be more successful then.
And of utmost interest,
You will once again return to The Beauty Queen
The Giant of Africa
You once were.
VIII. We have begun re-tracing though Mother, I think and believe
Persevere dear Mother
Persevere our Motherland
Patience Nigeria…
…Patience
Ugomma Aasta MBANUGO
April, 2013
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters
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