Still Looking Forward🗣


  • RE: Nigerians are a loving and strong people.


My love for art just can't be caged. It is fast becoming my muse. This eye art with the title "still looking forward" (Artist_Unknown) is the perfect illustration for Nigeria and Nigerians and when I saw it online this piece came to my mind.

Love is such a beautiful thing that nobody can ever deny no matter how it is conceived. Nigeria, we hail thee! This country will "show you pepper" no matter how you conceive it. It will bring down your idealism and make you humble. Still, in the midst of these, I am of the opinion that Nigerians are a loving and strong people. From the fact that Nigerians have wolverine's ability which enables us heal quick; to the fact that we thrived in an economic situation that Britain's prime minister said might have cut short the existence of his country. Nigerians, I hail thee.

In Nigeria, the art of survival is a story that never ends but we have learnt to live above our demons; and we are still learning as the situations pose different challenges. In the midst of all these, beggars still thrive. Nigerians walk along the road to the bus stop seeing one or two kids begging, a woman with children, the crippled; we still endeavour to give a fraction of what we have however small. Misery has a way of clarifying one's convictions, still, Nigerians give one another a small measure of hope and kindness in a world that knows too little and this is the bedrock that holds us together. I think we are better together, restructuring and strict follow up is what we need.

Humans hit rock bottom and struggle to pick themselves up, with this, character is built. This is seen in the fact that any Saturday my roomie and I go for morning jogs, we tend to run along lots of people. One factor that came to my consciousness recently is the amount of prayers the elderly women rain on us to and fro knowing fully well that we are corps members posted to their state. Another is the extra goodies we get from traders who tell us they pray their children become corps members someday. We may be quick to point out the negatives in this country but we should also not forget these little acts of kindness. We are quick to compare this nation with America, Britain etc. Why don't we also take time to compare it with Libya, Egypt, Somalia, South Sudan etc; and see how we've thrived despite facing the challenges these countries have faced.

Irrespective of the furore in the country, we will either heal as a team or die as individuals. In the midst of the agitation about marginalisation, terrorism and political crisis, the spirit of oneness still keeps us going. That you can visit Balogun market in Lagos and find all ethnic groups trading and not causing rancour. That Olamide and Phyno are musicians of disparate ethnic background but feature each other in various hit songs. The love shown across the country to the victims of Benue flooding still beats my imagination. The amount of money donated to cancer patients who make their  situations known to the public is noteworthy. Truly, we might have a magnitude of social ills but in the recess of our hearts, Nigerians are a loving and strong people.

P.S: We have been through lots, gone through many situations, hurt so much and still looking forward to what lies ahead.

P.S: As Nigeria clocks 57, I wish all Nigerians home and abroad happy "INDEPENDENCE". I wish us all a nice, happy and productive life.

✍
Ogunlana A. Owolabi
Image Credit: Unknown

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