JOURNEY THROUGH NIGERIA

 

Born into a land rich in culture, 

I myself, am particularly of culture;

And so I've grown alongside people of culture.

“Wazobia,” they call it, and within it, over a thousand cultures!

Come to Nigeria, journey through Nigeria;

Begin your journey at the Niger area. 

History tells us that's how we got our name, 

Fitting, don't you think? A name for people of fame. 

Come to Nigeria, journey through Nigeria;

Continue to the North, meet the Hausa.

My father tells stories of what wonderful people they are.

I believe my father, but his stories now seem like memories past.

Come to Nigeria, journey through Nigeria;

Tell the Uber driver you're off to Abuja.

That's the capital, beautiful, as every other capital there is.

The holders of the reins reside there;

If you meet one of them, remind them help is needed here.

Come to Nigeria, journey through Nigeria;

Take a canoe ride and journey through the Niger Delta.

Feel the waters that were once safe to drink,

Feel the grease from them stain your fingers.

Come to Nigeria, journey through Nigeria;

You could just board a flight from Delta to Lagos,

But only after you've drunk of Sapele Water,

And had Banga soup and Starch with Urhobo men.

Come to Nigeria, journey through Nigeria;

Cancel the flight, you still have Benin to explore.

Visit her kingdoms and hear their stories,

You might not understand their beautiful language, 

But you can try out her beads.

Come to Nigeria, journey through Nigeria;

Now is the time to take that flight to Lagos.

You don't want to miss the independence day celebration there.

All of Nigeria will be celebrating her freedom gotten sixty years ago.

They'll be celebrating her people's liberation from slavery,

And celebrating the success she has accomplished;

Doing so with a heavy heart for her failures,

And with bright hope for a better future.

Return to your land and come back next year, 

Come at the time of Osun festival!

Come! Say your prayers to the goddess of the river!

If you believe, she'll answer. 

If there's time on your hands, 

Visit Erin-Ijesha waterfalls and climb the hills at Idanre!

Visit Ikogosi where hot water comes out of rocks!

Then round up at Ibadan with a good plate of Amala and Ewedu. 

You'd return to your land feeling fulfilled. That's the Nigerian way! We no dey carry last!

—Onwumah Ozed

©2020