NIGERIA: THE THEN AND THE NOW
From independence to 1st republic, my country was a motherland
Full of compassion for her children, who are happy and willing
To serve her in return for nothing, but love, trust and obedience.
No wonder then it was –
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribe and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all are proud to serve
Our sovereign motherland
Alas! my country became a tranny, transformed into a mean masculine entity
A typical father with many wives, who cares less about his children’s welfare
Making them serve with selfish motive and malicious obedience.
And then it became –
Arise, O Compatriots, Nigeria's call obey
To serve our Fatherland, With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, Peace and unity.
A military command against the will of the people.
Then, the true realization of our diversity,
Provided an understanding for brotherhood as a sacrifice and reason for our unity.
But today, we co-exist only to sustain the labour of our past heroes
Regardless of whether we are fair to one another.
There was a clear definition of a symbol enhancing a patriotic spirit
With an agreement for evident true justice and the symbol was respected
But service today is without bearing or purpose
At the mercy of the heart and power of selfish and wicked leaders.
Honour was a pride and guiding principle
The norm that shaped and reflected in our national life
But which has sadly disappeared to create room for abominations
And legalized corruption in every spheres of public life.
The pride of a nation is in its youth, a continuum of best legacies
As disclosed by our mission statement
But we are all witnesses to what is now passed on
With the enormity of wanton destruction of coming generations.
The oil boom was prayer answered to the patriotic and selfless
But the abundance – a bane bearing oppression and tyranny
While we battle for peace and for justice
Contending with militant youths who care less about the truth.
Thank God for visionary leadership, with the courage to rebuild
A faulty foundation bedeviled with idolatry since 1977
And a new dawn has emerged, and we are back to the basis
Where it all went wrong, and Nigeria will be great again.
Stanza 2
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign
In peace or battle, honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
Stanza 3
O God of all creation
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
By Sola Agunbiade