FIFTY-ONE

This poem was written a few years ago, precisely when Nigeria turned 51. When I wrote this poem, a lot of emotions were surging through my mind and I just had to let let them out. It's amazing how a few years down the line and the words are still reflective of our state. This is why I decided to share it again on this platform. Here goes...

I could start by telling a lie

And it would look like this

When I look out the window

The colours of hope I see

Set in a beautiful kaleidoscope
Adorning the Nigeria that used to be
When i walk on the streets i see
 Taking flights on the wings of change
New attitude, new willingness and a certain sense of patriotism
 In the Nigerians that pass by me
Another year has begun,
Fifty one has come
And my Nigeria has moved on
We have moved on from the ruins of despair
And the dunghill of depression

I could also tell the truth
And it would go like this
New year old terror,
Blood, bitterness, anger
Weeping, tears mourning
The sun is setting on the giant
The pearl is lost in the jungle of Africa
Her freedom Is gone she is bound in her mind
Her heroes fought for her freedom
But She has refused to live for what they died for
So once more she is waiting to happen
Waiting for another nnamdi azikiwe, another tafawa balewa and another awolowo
Who would save her once more
This time not from colonial masters but from herself
Who would purge her once more
From the corruption that has become her daily bread
Her leaders eat away at her smelling sores
While her youth sleep and wait for change

The clock is ticking
The tops are spinning
The dice are rolling
Prophecy speaks
“Nigeria your days are numbered “
The end is near or so it seems
We sit and wait for a miraculous revolution
Well good news is here!!!
Miracle is never coming
Revolution drowned in the Niger River
If we do nothing about our Nigeria
Nigeria is doomed just as prophesy said
But if we rise and take responsibility for our Nigeria
She would bloom , stand tall and take her place once more as the giant of Africa.