I've not been doing enough hair posts like I should and I've been getting mails from my Nigerian Sisters who have taken the bold step to transition (hey girls!). I’m sorry for not keeping up with you guys like this blog was supposed to but I’m sure you are aware of the turbulence in Nigeria. There was a time when Nigerians will look at the terrorism happening all over the world and say to ourselves “I don’t think any Nigerian has the liver to die for an Ideology”. Well these past years have proven us wrong as there are those of us that have been taught to hate the next man-even though you feed from the natural resources that are destroying his land. We have been forced to come to terms with the fact that not every Nigerian feels like a Nigerian and some people would use any means (most especially religion) to control the masses. I not only blame them but I blame we the masses who live in a world filled with information but have decided- for whatever reason- to ignorantly let religion overshadow the basic laws of humanity.
Blogging about my hair when my brothers are killed daily just didn’t seem right and like most Nigerians I spent a lot of time thinking about how things got this way and how we can fix it. The other day my friend was asked “what Muslim are you’’ by a fellow Muslim and she answered in anger “I’m a Muslim. Simple!! Na this kind talk dey cause wahala for Nigeria now!” (this is the kind of talk that has caused the trouble in Nigeria) Her words spoke truth and I’ve been thinking a lot about this statement. We live in a country where the rich sponsor religion for the poor, sponsor pilgrimage for both religions, steal their moneys, embarrass them internationally, let some of them think that education is wrong while sending their own children to the best Christian Schools at home and abroad . They encourage their people to be beggars so that they stay in ignorance; waiting each day for the little bread the rich will send their way each day.
I feel that my people have forgotten the days when Trade by Batter existed. That was the economy of the old where we were predominantly farmers. You plant Yam; I deal in palm oil; while Mr. C produced salt. To feed our families we all must produce something that we and someone else will need. You take some of your yams to Mr. C and you get oil, Mr. F gives me clothes and I give him yams for his children to eat… and the circle continues: Chop I chop (you eat I eat). But these days of Black Gold (that is not produced in your community) we have to deal with abled bodied men and women chilling and waiting on their own share of the national cake while other resources like wild life are left to die as frequent oil spills destroy the land every day.
It’s for this reason that I have decided to change my way of living and try to encourage local businesses. I feel that any Nigerian who is strong enough to step out of the mould and decide to help the government for a change by providing services and not asking for them should be supported. The government is corrupt yes, but so are we. The question is what you are going to do to bring change to our country. Our parents’ generation has failed us by sticking to status quo and if we don’t start taking active steps to change Nigeria individually, there might be nothing left for our children to come to.
Yesterday, I met with a vibrant young Nigerian woman who was just opening her store. I was touched by how passionate she was irrespective of the Nigerian palava (trouble). Some of us would complain about the epileptic power supply but this driven lady saw that as a problem already solved: “Hallelujah we have SUN! Check out my solar panels…”. She had most holes covered. That’s what education and exposure does for you.
Instead of fighting about religion and tribe I’ve decided to ignore these negativity and focus on growth. I can’t change every one but I believe that we Nigerian youths should start thinking in this line. We all know what happens in the minds of idle people right? As for my brothers who quietly stayed away while this whole debacle went on because you felt you were on the other side, I hope you can change this air of distrust that has come between us. No matter, we must work together and insist on staying together because we know that we need each other…have you seen the map lately? Well, the desert is fast encroaching and if you think you can force people instead of building them…hm! The Naija wey I know?...think again.
So hair post will continue and DBK will continue to promote locally made Nigerian products to encourage smart, skilled and hardworking Nigerians. Let’s start from there.
