Living abroad (I mean, Gold Coast … that one follow be abroad na, abi?), I always reminisce over beautiful and romantic Naija; and each day finds me thanking God that I am proudly Nigerian. Now, despite the inefficacy of our system, nation and polity, Naija remains the most blessed country in Africa (well as far as I am concerned, enemy throway!); populated by the most enterprising, resourceful, unified, respectful and hardworking people. Now and always, the Giant of Africa; the one and only Naija wey no dey carry last.
Check am nawww!!!… everywhere and in everything, Omo Naija dey run things. In the Gold Coast, our own Dele Momodu was running the most sizzling magazine show alone; in the US, many innovative Nigerians are representing big time; in faraway Leverkusen and London respectively, our own Azuka Thomson and Ben Okri have published sublime works of fiction, poetry and short stories; not forgetting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Odia Ofeimun and Daniel Fagunwa whose works are greatly prized the world over. Nigeria remains proud of ace musicians like Sunny Ade, Ayinde Barrister, Onyeka Onwenu and the most contemporary generation of musicians like Alariwo Crossover King, Stormrex, Naeto C, Asa, P-Square, Flavor, Tu-Face, Nigga Raw, Paul Play, Dare Art Alade, Kefe, Omawumi (Gosh! The list is endless; I really feel like adding more names to the list, including my own name sef, kai!) etc, even the Late Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Sunny Okosun, Nelly Uchendu (the woman with the golden voice), Oliver De Coque etc, who have each produced good music that rank among the world’s best will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Being also blessed with seasoned actors and actresses better referred to as ‘Nollywood Actors/Actresses’ – talking about talented people such as Olu Jacobs and his amiable wife Joke Silva Jacobs, the Amatas (Fred, Ruke etc), Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde, Pete Edochie, Jim Iyke, Jude Orhorha, Kenneth Okonkwo, not forgetting my Ogidi brethren - Obi Madubuogwu, Bob Manuel Udokwu and Tony Umez and so many other great talents in the Home Movie industry; all these currently making waves in the Movie industry both within and outside the Continent. Oya, how we wan leave out entertaining and energetic comedians like Basket Mouth, Princess, Alibaba, Nkem Owoh, Gbenga Adeyinka, I Go Die, Julius Agwu, Okey Bakassi, Lepacious Bose, even the Late icons like CD John, Sam Loco Efeh etc whose excellent sense of humor is unrivaled, and one of the major reasons why Nigerians are appreciated everywhere.
Sports nko? The Amokachis, the Taribo Wests , the Mikel Obis etc. Neither has reasonable business acumen been so demonstrated to match that of men like Dangote, MKO Abiola, Louis Odimegwu Ojukwu, Michael Ibru, CT Onyekwelu, the Ibaetos and Mbaekwes etc. And even in the spiritual enterprise, Naija can boast of a legion of religious leaders.
Bringing youths from across Africa even from places where the systems work, the Big Brother Africa and Big Brother Amplified reality shows have felt countlessly, the vibrant and exuberance of youthfulness as Nigerians (both guys and chicks) were everly topping the list as the best entertainers and winners of the show, walking home with the Mula.
Men! the list can go on and on but the truth remains: Naija no dey carry last.
That being said. Naija remains one of the most gifted and entertaining country in the African Continent. Unfortunately, the green-colored international passport dey attract serious scrutiny for foreign airport terminals; even for our own airports too due to some tendencies that have been associated with Omo Naija. Some recorded misdemeanors make it impossible to have a pleasurable stroll by most airport check-in points. But the fact remains that there are miscreants in every society; not just in Naija.
As Omo Naija, living in the Gold Coast has been very challenging especially for those of us who emigrated to find the Golden Fleece … with good intentions, u grab? Unfortunately, many of us fail to maintain moderate lifestyle instead, we flaunt whatever wealth we must have brought with us from Naija or we have made in the Gold Coast where living is quite moderate and strictly conservative. You know, it is very easy to spot an Omo Naija – like they say, the golden fish has no hiding place. Omo Naija by default, sabi show off their successes in the most implicating, but sometimes, commendable manner … hahaha!. Fanciful cars (Hummer jeep and the likes), flamboyant dresses especially at churches and other functions, and outrageous skin tone and hair-do that is rather feminine, if you ask me. I dey see them for church every Sunday na.
Men!, Omo Naija can flex!
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