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WHAT MY MOTHER AND DOLLY PARTON TAUGHT ME

When the cassette tape played, I was seldom interested in the lyrics—how likely was a 6-year-old to care? Yet I could feel sorrow, compassion, and sadness in the singer’s voice. I imagined someone hurting her. Was she hit, betrayed, lonely? Her voice held a mystery I wanted to uncover, but she was miles away from me. Since I could not unravel the enigma, I let the thought go. As I grew older, my mother did not grow tired of playing the cassette tape. I could not hide from hearing it either, unless I could afford a roof over my head. One evening, during the holiday and with no homework to attend to, I had to ask her. ‘Mum, who’s this person always sad when they’re singing?’ ‘You mean all this time, you don’t know it’s Dolly Parton? And who told you she’s sad? When you truly express how you feel, it is not always a sad tale, my girl. Do you even know what this song playing is about?’ ‘Yes, ma. It’s her coat of many colours, just like the one Joseph had, right?’ ‘Eh en. Only hers was give...
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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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