Enigma

Enigma

I come from an enigma.

I come from a world of relentless spirit and ceaseless joy. A world where countless stories of overcoming

adversity and defeating the beast of poverty are told over and over again. A land where the labour of our leaders is never forgotten. But I am a being of duality.

I come from an enigma.

I come from a world where the principle of accountability is yet to fully thrive. A world in which countless stories of oppression and greed are told with unforgiving repetition. A land where the ordeals of everyday people at the hands of their leaders are recounted as cautionary tales in their neighbours’ homes.

Nigeria is an enigma.

My people have faced the pain that seeps from the residue of colonialism and the greed that shapes our government, for generations. And yet, we smile. We grab hold of every opportunity to smile and dance. We infuse music and defiant energy into our protests, and the soul of the fearless that came before us into every day’s commute on the streets of our overpopulated cities. We strive for greatness and reject mediocrity. The blood of our ancestors is thick and heavy within us, unrelenting around us, with its constant marks on our very culture.

Africa has countless enigmas.

Our shared experiences of unwavering bravery and pride transcend our many differences. We pay homage to those who have come before us, and nurture those who are here, now. Our history has flowed, from the lips of our mothers to our infant ears, from our homes and communities across manmade borders. We acknowledge who we are and embrace the power that we come from.

Because we were taught not to settle for less.