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A MIRROR OF HOPE

You forcefully open the double doors to your room to see your reflection in the large spotless mirror staring at you, as you try to avoid the Master. Your image kills the mustard seed of hope you have been trying to nurture – your eyes exhausted from too many tears. Your lips are chapped, and the glory of your skin is in the past - your beautiful skin as your mother would remark. You wonder if it’s because of its fairness or the hairless sight of it, or the chubby feeling when touched. And then you reckon the eyes of your mother are not yours. Your beauty lies in your freedom, you think to yourself. You affirm that you don’t belong here, not in this castle with grey walls, lofty ceilings, and heavy brown curtains. Not viewing ancient paintings of wars. Not on a bed for a crowd and certainly not wearing these expensive clothes too pure to smear. You recall the first day of your arrival at your new home. You were greeted by a servant who avoided your eyes as he bowed his head and sai...
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NATIONAL ANTHEM






The little I know about Nigeria is what others say about her; overpopulated, corrupt, dirty, poverty stricken, underdeveloped, a debtor, diabolic, dubious, etc. Definitely, your father and my mother would have mentioned one of the cited above. Is there anything new under Nigeria? Will she ever change to our concept of a great nation?

Imagine your children responding to these questions. What do you think their reactions would be? Would there be compatriots left of them? Would Nigeria be able to call for them to even obey? How would they show love to their fatherland by then? They might not even be familiar with any of their heroes past not to mention their labor.
What would be the concept of freedom then when its meaning at the moment is meaningless? Do you even think peace and unity won’t be assessed by the “escape from Naija” spirit?

If we do not even comprehend our noble cause how would God direct us?
I mean, He can only guide those who don’t want to be misguided by vanity right? And until the youths know that truths don’t lie in the bosom of publicity or the bleaching of the skin just to look like someone else (note: this does not only affect the skin but also the brain cells…) then love and honesty will keep fading away like a departing shadow following the lead of the setting sun.

I pray that those great lofty heights would not be attained on an airplane to another land alone. I pray that the building of the nation won’t be with expired, cheap and substandard materials so that the figurine of Justice would hold its scale in an equal light lest peace would only be a far cry.

Is your Nigeria different from your father's Nigeria? What is your national anthem standing for?  Have a thoughtful Independence celebration.

I pledge to Nigeria my country
To value life, more than money
To never throw dirt on the streets
To wait my turn in queues
To never take one way and cause traffic
And not keep others waiting and unattended to
To desist from hyping the prizes of goods and services
Once there’s surge.
To believe in diligent work and not quick wealth
And finally, to help others grow instead of pulling them down.
So help me God!

Happy Thoughtful Independence Day… From Emmawad!

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