This great nation of Nigeria, through the throes of colonial grip, the lootings, killings and brutality of a mindless war, struggling within the clouds of poverty, smeared with corruption charges of insecurity,
The stars twinkle as my pen runs through the pages of this piece, like a painter’s masterly stroke across a masterpiece artwork. The memories are numerous and nostalgic feelings push forth as the portrait struggles to emerge.
We sang the rhymes with gusto, pride in our voices, faces oiled with the innocence of childhood and the joy of our shared togetherness. The lines we committed to memory, the lyrics we sang with impunity and our acts were filled with audacity.
It was our time and we relished it, with all the bravery we could muster.
That was those days, when childhood was a celebration of the little girls’ dexterity in playing the ten-ten games and the boys rolled tyres across the streets while the mothers cooked on open fires and neighbours greeted as they strolled past.
It was the era of nursery rhymes, black and white television sets which sprayed our eyes with colours of beauty, the reign of Peugeot brands and the slower automobiles, the abundance of pacesetter novels and the Macmillan series.
It was our season of growth. We, who lived in the age before the Millennium.
One rhyme we sang in those days stands out as this narrative takes form. Even those who did not venture into classrooms could sing every line, for it was like the neighbourhood memory verse and like the lines implied, brought a twinkle to eyes of innocence.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
How I Wonder What You Are
Up Above The World So High
Like A Diamond In The Sky
The lyrics rang with merry voices and the youngsters who chanted the rhyme, looked up to the sky, as if expecting to see the diamond-twinkling star, blinking at them. Such treasured memories they were; such life those scenes breathe into this narrative.
Today, this rhyme rings with new significance as the nation I feel proud to call mine stands on the threshold of a glorious event. This event gained ground from 1960 when the nation christened Nigeria, stepped out of the doldrums of colonial rule to a freedom that dictated the pace of a new government and a new world order. When people in black skin seized the reins of power and steered the nation to a place of peace.
Nigeria was free at last! An independent nation, from the year 1960.
From that moment came the countdown to a memorable memory. For the nation which was caught in the throes of a rulership by an alien nation now had the rights to decisions. This was one momentous event worth rolling out the drums for.
Yearly, the drums poured out beats of merriment as the freedom of the Nigerian nation was celebrated in an event tagged, ‘Independence Day,’ on a date fixed and recognised by the jubilant citizens. The three-tier coloured flag, in a green-white-green design which stood for peace, prosperity and newness, danced to the rhythm of the joyous celebrations.
School children trooped to stadiums for several march past events, waving colourful miniature versions of the national flag, while the governorship and presidential segments of the nation took the national salute and inspected the guards of honour, mounted for the event.
The yearly event was commemorated with pomp and pageantry. A national holiday was declared and people reminisced on the memories of the past years of colonial rule and the glories of a free nation.
So it continued year after year.
The golden moment of the event came in the year 2010, where the nation was clad in golden colours. Nigeria at 50 was the slogan that ruled the day and called out many creative methods of celebration in praise, poetry and other emblems.
Nigeria had come of age, balanced on the fifth floor.
This year 2020 came with a rhythm of hope that resounded from church buildings to corporate organisations, which expounded the theme of the magical year 2020. Then, a force majeure raced crazily by and dashed many expectations, as the menacing COVID-19 pandemic rolled into existence.
It seems like none is in the mood for celebration, for the lockdown declared in the wake of the pandemic bruised the economy and many human hearts with it. The discordant tunes that rang in the air did not give the semblance of a reason to rejoice.
Yet we take joy in Scripture that says rejoicing must take a stand, despite the barrenness that batters.
Though the fig tree may not blossom Neither fruit be on the vines
Though the labour of the olive may fall And the fields yield no food
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold
And there be no herd in the stalls Yet I will rejoice in the LORD
I will joy in the God of my salvation
-Habakkuk 3:17-18 –
The year 2020 ushers Nigeria into the diamond age of sixty. It’s a DIAMOND JUBILEE! The Oxford Dictionary defines a Diamond Jubilee as the 60th anniversary of an important event. What can be more important than this landmark stride of a great nation? As Nigeria takes this gallant stride at 60, the nation must stand still, situated firmly as a city set on a hill, a tree planted by streams of living water, not prone to wither, founded on the rock of ages, unshaken by myriad storms, as it glows like a diamond in the sky.
I ponder again on those childhood recollections and recast that poem in a new meaning.
Twinkle Twinkle
Nigeria, You Are A Star
I Wonder And Ponder
Fixated On Your Greatness
Soaring Above Other Nations
Like A Diamond In The Sky
So Bright, You Dazzle.
This great nation of Nigeria, through the throes of colonial grip, the lootings, killings and brutality of a mindless war, struggling within the clouds of poverty, smeared with corruption charges and FBI manhunts, clad in garments of insecurity, unemployment and all that could break a nation, you still stand, glittering, the sparkle in place, the shine in tune, the diamond in the rough. No shaking! Nothing dey happen.
The proud citizens of Nigeria in one accord chant: Nigeria, we hail thee! Standing Strong at Sixty. Sealed with Serenity. Solid and Safe in the Saviour’s Sanctuary. Safely anchored in the Seaport of Sovereignty.
United we Stand and at Sixty, we Still Soar!
