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The
Heart Of Africa
By Uche Nworah
This country has birthed us
though hope it may not have given us all. As we look around and
count each passing day, we sometimes feel that things should
indeed be better, that it should be well with us. We can’t but
ask why we have to be the way we are, and live the way we do in
the midst of abundance, why 45 years after we stopped paying
obeisance to the Queen and her people, we are not yet any where
near our promised land.
As we search for answers
from the depths of our souls, we are confronted rather with more
complex questions, but then, it is in such complexity that we
thrive as a people, surviving many crises and a war. We are indeed
a persistent people. We are also a proud people, though we are
cowed at the moment, though our heads are bowed to the side at the
moment but we shall not surrender, we will not give up. We march
on until we arrive at the elevated platform and count ourselves
amongst the world’s great nations, the place that our God want
us to be. Only then shall we as a people shout out aloud, in
unison to proclaim the greatness in all of us.
As I wait for that one day,
I decided to take a tour of our country, along the line I met some
of our great men and women but who have since passed on adorning
our walls. I was greeted on the way by the smiles of Queen Amina
of Zaria hanging on a frame, that warrior who has inspired the
modern day Nigeria woman, Funmilayo Ransome – Kuti, and Alhaja
Abibatu Mogaji also belong to that elite specie of women.
Nnamdi Azikiwe is also
amongst the greats, and so is Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa, the
triumvirate’s exploits contributed to the independence we enjoy
today.
Though our history is now
chequered and tainted by our past, a period of great turmoil and
military dictatorship, but then even in the midst of dryness, hope
sprang up in Murtala Mohamed and Tunde Idiagbon, short lived were
their times and tenure as is all good tidings and things that have
come our way, but the memories of their dream and agenda for our
nation we still cherish.
And still we trudge on in
expectation, mixed with anxiety of what tomorrow may bring, here
and now we are but our hope lies there where we ought to be.
Along my journey Rashidi
Yekini also smiled at me, and so did Jay-Jay Okocha, I saw Mary
Onyali – Omagbemi spring past, fast on her heels were Innocent
Egbunike, Chidi Imo, Fatima Yusuf and Chioma Ajunwa, they
said they were heading to the arena of immortality, the place
of champions and that I was invited, I asked them to greet Peter
Akakasiaka, Nduka 'Duke' Odizor, Atanda Musa and the rest which I
couldn’t quite see, I was sure that I already knew their names
and so do we all, their huge footsteps in the sands of time are
visible never to be obliterated by the roaring oceans. I wished I
could be like them, Nigeria is lucky to have them, may God bless
the fruits of their works. I wondered what it is I could do for my
country; John Fitzgerald Kennedy once challenged Americans to rise
up and think only for country and not for self. The glory then may
lie in the common good, in sacrifice and in self-belief. Oh my
generation!
I witnessed the Eyo
masquerade festival in Lagos, Aha! Lagos, the town of the strong
and brave hearted, I saw multitudes of people waiting at the bus
stops for molue and danfo buses which were all over the place, and
I marvelled at the skills which Lagosians have perfected as they
alight and board the busses; this life, this Lagos, this Nigeria.
Fela was right, inside the molue buses, 44 sat and 99 stood, and
yet they all had smiles on their faces, hope?
As the sun beat down on me,
I considered going to Eko, Ereko, Alpha or Bar beach to cool off,
I smiled aloud, mother nature had indeed blessed this land.
I woke up and found myself
in Abuja, in my dreams I had passed through Jos and its many
hills, but Zuma Rock stood like the rock of Gibraltar and
beckoned, welcome to Abuja it seem to be saying, Nigeria’s unity
town. Though I wished I could stay longer, but Abuja I had to
leave, I wanted to be with my people, I remembered Frank Olize and
his common men, with them I wanted to be.
I have heard so much about
Argungu in Kebbi and there I decided to visit, I saw many
fishermen and their catches, they rejoiced in their fishing
festival just like other Nigerians do during their various
festivals, the joy and pride of our people.
As I toured Nigeria’s
towns and villages, the beautiful vista, green vegetation and vast
farmlands consumed me, the sheer generosity of mother nature
engulfed me, fortune lies in wait I thought. Kids greeted me along
the way; I saw in their faces the future, a new Nigeria just like
Obianuju Arinze, Agbani Darego and Oluchi Onweagba have
demonstrated.
At Awka, I saw children
playing in the village square; they seemed to be acting a play,
with perfect improvisation. Their dreams seemed tall, I knew that
Nollywood will live forever, when the sun sets on Ejike Asiegbu,
Eucharia Anunobi, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Bamtefa and on
Genevieve Nnaji, there would be no cause for alarm, the future is
already here, on our streets. Only that I wished that they would
receive the type of support that Sophie Okonedo, Sade Adu and Nas
received, the world stage would then be theirs.
The next morning, I woke up
and read Wole Soyinka’s Trials of Brother Jero once again,
searching for clues and answers to our troubled past and present,
I made a note to read Jero’s Metamorphosis too. I was trying to
establish a connection between a troubled past and a glorious
future. I also remembered our heroes past and present, I prayed
that their labours may not be in vain: Dele Giwa, Chinua Achebe,
Philip Emeagwali, Akeem Olajuwon, Pa Michael Imodu, M.K.O Abiola,
Tai Solarin and all the rest of them.
Again sunset, peace and
quite surround me, the moon shine brightly and the crickets sing
in the dark. I lie down and close my eyes and my dreams carried me
away.
And so I woke up and
wondered; Nigeria, what is it to me? the country of my birth? the
land of limitless opportunities flowing with oil and natural
minerals? a land of 419ers, fraudsters and corrupt politicians? a
land of sports men and women? a land of the great lakes and
rivers? a land of the mighty warriors, kings and queens with
age-long traditions? the land of a people with the great smiles
and spirits? a land with the great divisions - east, west, north
and south? or the land with an economy waiting to be pillaged and
plundered? I should find my own answers, you too.
Nigeria my country, buried
deep in my soul, dwelling in the heart of Africa, a beautiful
land, a hard working people, a virgin country, great and mighty
yet she will be.
*
* * * *
Uche Nworah is a freelance
writer and lives in London.
uchenworah@yahoo.com
posted 16 October 2005 |
