My country Nigeria is an intriguing place. Living here has been described as both, ” exhausting and exhilarating”. Nigeria is a walking,talking, breathing contradiction. Claude Ake said, “We are the disarticulate Nation. We produce what we do not consume; and We consume what we do not produce.”
Naija!” as we are wont to affectionating refer to her is the “Motherland” and despite her flaws like Nico Mbarga’s “sweet mother” she still comes through for millions of her hapless children. And the love between mother and child is mutual. Her warmth and welcoming smile and embrace is felt in the gardens and viewing centre when two perfect strangers enjoy and analyze a UEFA meet over a cold bottle of beer – Heineken, Hero or Star – whatever ale does it for you. We see it and feel it daily. In the jokes and cordial conversations shared at the barber shop at weekend grooming sessions. It is there in the hot spicy cuts of beef and onions at the Suya Markets offered by competing Mai Suya and Kilishi merchants jostling to convince a potential customer that his barbecued meat or beef jerky is the best you would ever taste.
Interlaced and fittly interlocked side by side in a BRT (Successor to the erstwhile ubiquitous molue and danfo) ride from Ikorodu to CMS. Walking to or from a gruelling 8am to 4pm job (in reality 4am-8pm due to traffic). The commute is an escape from the chaos of the bus terminus. With the yellow metal behemoths scrambling to gobble up hapless passengers. Tired and stressed out. Going through the motions like pop art zombies beneath a blistering and unforgiving Sun. Marching to the discordant guttural calls of the bus conductors. “Masha-Kilo – Onile-gogoro !” “Idowu Taylor-Law school !” “Dopemu, Idi-Mangoro – Abe-bridge!” “Mile 2 Festac Satellite Town !” “Legico, Palace, Police Station, Towers!”
Naija the beautiful. Your beaches are white like the immaculate clouds that cloth Mt. Olympus. Your rain forests and mangroves are a million shades of verdant green. You have a thousand and one wonders. Glorious sights and sounds. Sites and grounds. If we each would pause. Take a break to behold and ponder the rich scenery from East to West. North to South. Guarara falls, Yankari Game Reserve and Park, Ikogosi, Elegushi, Nike Lake, IBB Golf Club, Olumo Rock, Kajuru Castle, Ibom Resort, Agodi Park, Crush Rock Abuja, Jabi Lake, Usuma Dam, The Argungun Fishing Festival, Kounth Pattey, Croc city, Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery – The list is endless. There are so many hidden gems and a body should feel free to create and add to his or her list.
DrAlexanderGrey 