INSPIRATIONAL MUSINGS 46 The Giant of Africa Continues to Be a Source of Inspiration

"I live half the year in Nigeria, the other half in the U.S. But home is Nigeria—it always will be. I consider myself a Nigerian who is comfortable in the world. I look at it through Nigerian eyes."

— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Oh God of creation, Direct our noble cause, And guide our leaders right, Help our youth the truth to know, In love and honesty to grow, And living just and true, Great lofty heights attain, To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.

The second stanza of our national anthem is a national prayer that if adhered to will solve most of our problems, I doubt if 30 percent of our population knows this stanza, not to talk of the words within. It is a prayer that should fire up the patriotic spirit inside of anyone.

It takes a lot of courage and strength to love Nigeria. Nigeria as a nation hasn't been good to a lot of us, we have groaned under the weight of bad leadership for many years but I just find it hard not to love Nigeria. Why? Nigeria is a very blessed nation, we have about the best weather of all the nations I have been to, practically every seed you bury into the ground in Nigeria germinates with perfection, the country is blessed with countless number of solid minerals and natural resources, we also have the best brains you can ever think of, no wonder our citizens continue to excel when they go abroad to study.

Anytime I get to travel out of Nigeria, once I stay for 72 hours, I start missing home, there has never been anytime I travelled and I didn't want to leave where I was, I am always filled with enthusiasm when I am returning home.

Nigeria is a nation with six geo-political regions, 36 States and 774 local government areas, with 250 tribes and counting within this structure as most of us know already. If you have been privileged to travel to 32 out of the 36 States like myself then you will understand the people of this country more.

Having been born in Ondo State, I had my tertiary education in Kwara and Niger States, I have been living in the Federal Capital Territory ever since then. I can say I am a Nigerian through and through, lest I forget I have also toured the length and breadth of this country in search of tourism spots. I have been to Gurara waterfalls in Niger State, Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ekiti State, Arewa House in Kaduna State, Erin-Ijesha waterfalls in Osun State, Imo Concorde Hotels & Casino in Imo State, Kano City Walls/Gates in Kano State, Smoking Hills Golf Course, IlarMokin in Ondo State, the popular Onitsha market in Anambra State, the Confluence of River Niger and River Benue in Lokoja, Kogi State, the Lagos Beaches in Lagos State, MicCom Golf Course, Ada in Osun State, Gamji Park, Kaduna in Kaduna State, the Historical Sites in Benin City, Edo State, Olumo rock in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Idanre Hills in Ondo State etc.

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I have never known another home except Nigeria. My love for my country is so much that I have never for once thought of living elsewhere, a lot of people might assume that the reason for this is because I have had it so good in Nigeria, that unfortunately is far from the truth, the reason why I continue to love this country is because of the joy of living with one's kind. You feel more relaxed and safer. I draw a lot of strength and inspiration from Nigeria more than many people can ever imagine, I am certainly going to state those things shortly, except you haven't felt the pulse of Nigeria like I had, that's when you won't have much to say or love about Nigeria. Many of my friends who live and work in Europe, Asia and North America always tell me how much they miss home, how much they wished they could start heading back home almost immediately if certain things were in place.

Nigeria as a Source of Inspiration

Nigerians are a very happy set of people, a rare breed, despite all the challenges several of our citizens face on a daily basis, you can never take joy and laughter away from them, Nigerians rejoice at every opportunity, a party in Nigeria is always a mini-carnival, people dance away any problem they have, the happiness of an average Nigerian is infectious, and no matter what happens you can't take away the joy of my people, they are a hopeful lot, always hoping for better days. Whether it comes or not is irrelevant, our people from birth are always trained to believe there will be better days.

Nigerians are hardworking. Their work rate continues to inspire me, an average mother cooks, goes to farm, bathe and feed the children, clean up the house, dolaundry, take the kids to school and still go to work somewhere else to sustain the family. The men combine several jobs to provide for the family, the men can slave to provide for their loved ones, the men are unique in such a way that they cater for not just their children but every one related to them by blood and even strangers close by.

Nigerians are resilient. The main reason Nigeria still remains one despite the attempt by different groups to secede in the past is our resilient nature, we seem to always bounce back when least expected. We had bounced back from political and economic setbacks times without number. It's even evident from the way we have fought terrorists and their cohorts in recent times. We continue to remain united in the face of adversity. The heroics of our sportsmen across the world also underlines our resilience, we have some of the most resilient sports men who never accept defeat till the game is over, our football and boxing team exemplify this attitude, don't ever assume you have beaten a Nigerian team because you are in the lead or because of superior numbers, you will be shocked how they will muster every strength to bounce back and win the game.

Nigerians are super givers, very kind hearted people live in Nigeria, every year Nigerians raise funds to take care of sick citizens who can't afford to pay their hospital bills within the country and in special cases out of the country. Millions of naira are raised for strangers to be flown abroad for treatment, all the orphanages in Nigeria get food items and basic items for survival from strangers at different times of the year. Due to our communal nature we get to help ourselves through life, most Nigerians have stayed with their relatives at one point or the other as a migrant looking for a better life in a new city, their hosts can house them for years, feeding and clothing them in the process.

Nigerians are very spiritual. Most of them have the heart of gold and they love God, don't be deceived by the activities of boko haram terrorists or other religious bigots, Nigerians are peace loving people who will never want to take another person's life for whatever reason. The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff said much of this in a recent newspaper interview that most of the boko haram terrorists are non-Nigerians. The religious institutions assist government in welfare and infrastructural development across the nation. They continue to build and develop new cities, some even build health centres and educational centres helping to make up for the failings of the government.

Nigerians are good hosts. If there is anything a visitor to Nigeria will always hammer on it is the hospitable nature of Nigerians. Nigerians are very nice people who open their doors and hearts to foreigners, no wonder many of them marry Nigerians and never go back to their countries.

Remember, I had written about the weather and the nice tourism spots in my beautiful country, it's actually a hospitality mix for any foreign visitor/tourist who cares to explore. As a people and a nation we are working on our democracy and leadership right about now, and I know for certain we will get it right very shortly.

Nigeria for me continues to be home and our resources continue to inspire many of us. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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