Being Nigerian

ABUBAKAR MARIYA BAGUDO

I sit in a history class, my teacher teaches colonialism, imperialism and terrorism
Terrorist with names and skin color like mine, not so black,
yet still black It brings me back to the state of my country
The divide, across religion, ethnicity and class
My Igbo friend still laments about Biafra
My christian friend talks about terrorist attacks
He says it as though he's being targeted simply for not being Muslim
He says "Boko Haram" with so much disgust as though their actions describes all Muslims

I wish I could tell him, that I too am a victim, that Muslims too are victims
In my hometown 30 people were burnt alive
That just like Deborah another Muslim was KILLED for blasphemy
A victim of jungle justice
I wonder if it's still terrorism if they attack people with names, faces and religion like theirs

In my country we carry trauma like our birthright
Each religion finding blame
Each tribe pointing fingers at another
Intense divide, stereotypes and tribal wars
Hausas are Aboki, uneducated and almajiri's
Yorubas are extreme and loud
Igbos are cheats who love money
Arguing which is greater, Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo

While doing so we forget that Nigeria is more than that
It's home to more than 500 languages and 300 ethnic groups
And we're all connected, it's all the same
Stereotyping NIgerians is alot like trying to fit an ocean in a tea cup or
containing a wildfire in a single match or even trying to bottle up the brilliance of a rainbow

To be Nigerian is to embrace a beautiful mosaic of diversity
where each piece contributes to the richness of our identity
A constant reminder of the heritage that runs through our veins
-ONE NIGERIA- is more than a chant and greater than a dream
It's a generation trying to bridge the gaps between words and emotions,
Attempting to capture the vastness of love in a single label - NIGERIAN-
Breaking down barriers like a flowing stream, fostering diversity and promoting unity
Tribes and religions intertwined, weaving a fabric that's one of a kind

Each step we take, each action we choose, holding the power to shape the future
And contribute to the healing and growth of our nation
Years from now, when stories are shared of past struggles and how we repaired.
The tales of ethnic fights and intolerance will seem like distant echoes, lost in the expanse,
Generations to come will find it hard to believe, that such divisions and conflicts were once conceived,
For we will have built bridges, strong and true
In this future we envision, when generations hear of our past
They'll find it hard to believe, because it's no longer a reality
As we gaze ahead to the future, history casts its gaze upon us, and the present rests in our hands.