A look through my eyes ...

I was opportuned to be the Cover Story of ALLURE Magazine, featured inside the Sunday Vanguard Newspaper, today March 7, 2010. The article (which is featured below) is very dear to my heart, not just because I wrote it, but because the subject is personal.
Enjoy ... and I look forward to your comments.
_ _ _

THROUGH MY EYES, THEN AND NOW! – AN INSPIRATIONAL TRUE STORY
January 4th, 2007 - I’ve been staring at the same spot on the ceiling for the last three hours, I can almost hear each hurried beat of my overworked heart, and I count each one, just waiting … I lay down, motionless, except for the intermittent rise and fall of my chest. As I draw in each excruciating breath, I feel as though a hundred knives are being driven through my entire chest and back, only to be viciously ripped out and mercilessly driven in again, and again, and again ... A lone tear slowly makes its way down my face as I remember the countless times I’ve been in similar situations over the years ... If I had to qualify what I feel right now, the words excruciating, agonizing, and torment come to mind ...

The above are the opening lines of my story, titled ‘Through My Eyes, Then and Now!’ In this first chapter I describe what it feels like to experience what is popularly termed a ‘crisis’ - an episode of Sickle Cell Disease - a hereditary, chronic, life-long blood disease that affects millions of persons of African Descent, worldwide.

My story is a book, and in it I paint a vivid picture of just how devastating life with Sickle Cell Disease can be; but I point out that as terrible as this wide-spread disease is, and having no easily accessible medical cure, it is totally preventable with a simple genotype test. I wrote the book in the hope that via individual and collective efforts, this nation and other affected nations will wake up and take action to create more awareness of this disease and ensure that genotype testing, proper education and pre-marital counselling can become the norm in our education and health care institutions, so that further sickle-cell births can be prevented!

In simplistic language from the voice of personal experience, I also provide useful and practical information to Sickle Cell patients, their families, doctors and care-givers in order that the care and maintenance of persons battling this chronic condition can be greatly improved.

Finally, in this book I describe in detail my survival strategy: belief in God’s love and faith in His word, in order to let persons that are faced with this disease know that despite the many odds stacked them, they can live fulfilling and satisfying lives. In other words, with my strategy, a diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease does not have to be equal to a miserable, shallow and brief existence in a cruel world.

Through My Eyes, Then and Now! is a story of trials, tragedy and ultimately triumph, It’s a story that will undoubtedly make you cry and also make you smile. I believe it’s a story worth telling, but then again, it is the story of my life.

Here’s what Award-winning Broadcaster, Essayist and Author of ‘In the Blink of An Eye’ - Eugenia Abu had to say about the book:
"Through My Eyes: Then and Now! is an awesome book about pain, and the triumph of faith. Written in an exquisitely conversational style, the author engages us all in the story of her life, the journeys of her life, and the beauty that is her life. Through the Author’s life, we encounter Sickle Cell Anaemia like never before. The Author’s humour, matter of fact stories and special relationship with God gets us all ready to do whatever we have to, to find a cure for this debilitating disease.
The Author is at once teacher, preacher, pain bearer and friend.
An incredible read. A real page turner. Should be on your shelf."

It is my desire and hope that as this book is published and launched this year, it becomes more than just a touching story. It becomes a tool that informs, educates and enlightens everyone that comes across it, and more importantly, it becomes a catalyst of positive and lasting change as regards this issue of national and global concern.

Bottom line, if this story causes one person to test his or her genotype and therefore pick an appropriate match in their choice of spouse, thereby preventing the birth of more SCD sufferers, If this story causes the parents of a SCD patient to understand better what their child is going through and how to take care of that child better, If this story causes one SCD sufferer to have hope-against-hope for a bright future... then I could count my trials and tragedies to be triumph indeed.
Stop the Sickle Cycle – Test Your Genotype Today!

Inspirational Writer, Performance Poet and Voice Artist:
Ifueko Fex Ogbomo – a Sickle Cell Survivor!
- - -

The Book Launch is proposed for May 2010, in Lagos, Nigeria.
If you would like to sponsor the publication and launch of this book, and/or Sickle Cell Disease awarness campaigns please send me an email on inspirologosworld@yahoo.com

The Picture of Peace

It's two weeks into the new year! Already? ... Yes, time flies!
Anyway, despite the many resolutions, conclusions, aspirations, and expectations for this awesome year, things might not be going as smoothly you thought they would. When a storm is in sight, wishing on a thousand stars won't still the storm. What you need is some real peace!

Speaking of which, I was inspired to paint a picture of peace.
As usual, my paintbrush is a pen, and my paint, some choice words from my imaginative vocabulary. ;-)
The result? ... Voila!

The Picture of Peace
Copyright ©Ifueko Ogbomo 2009

A picture of peace ... A picture of peace ...
How would it look, this picture of peace?
Stillness. Serenity. Quietness. Tranquillity.
Blue skies. Green Meadows. A soft breeze. A bright rainbow.
No yelling parents. No crying babies.
A Day-off - no labour. A leisurely drive - no traffic.
All debts paid. All needs met. All going good.
Ahh, 'tis the picture of peace, is it not?
I think not; ‘tis simply a picture of ease.

I looked far and wide, searched high and low
That a picture of peace I might see and know
And just when I thought I had no choice but to quit
There I saw it, in the pages of the Holy Writ
Ah, I stood back and stared in awe
As at last, the picture of peace I saw:

A raging storm. Boisterous winds.
Menacing waves crashing. A boat tossing and turning.
Uproar! Chaos! Cabin and crew madly rushing about.
They're shaking with trepidation.
Lips mumbling, stumbling over fear-filled prayers.
Minds frazzled, dazzled with images of a watery grave.
They're screaming in terror:
‘Abandon ship!’ ‘Women and children first!’ ‘Every man for himself, and God for us all!’
All perturbed. All disturbed. All save one.

See him: curled up in a corner, as though oblivious of the surrounding danger.
All worries forgotten. All cares forsaken.
See him: curled up in a corner, on a pillow he lies, fast asleep!
Assured that He who never sleeps, watches over him.
See him, the Prince of Peace; see thus, the true picture of peace
'tis not the calm before the storm, nay.
'tis the calm within the storm!

(My inspiration came from the scriptural story recorded in three out of four of the gospels, although Mark's account is my favorite. See Mark 4: 35 - 41.)

In Conclusion:
Life's challenging - that's a given. When you are blessed with a vivid imagination like mine, it's easy to get anxious over unpleasant unforseen circumstances and undesirable unexpected happenings. However, if you can keep the wanderings of your mind focused on God, focused on His abilities and not your inabilities, His strength and not your weakness, His omniscience and not your limited knowledge, and if you can trust Him, then that picture of peace, will be a picture of YOU.

How do I know that? Simple. it says so in Isaiah 26 verse 3:
"You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You"
If it's in the word of God, then it's inspired by God, who cannot lie, and that's good enough for me! Selah!

- - -
Lady I. - Positively Peaceful

Celebrating the Celebrant!

Over 11 months gone, the year is almost done
It should be Celebration Time for everyone!
No matter how challenging the year has been
The mercies of God you’ve surely seen
So forget about the Stress, Struggles and Strife
Sing, Dance, Shout, Clap and thank God for the gift of LIFE!

Spread the Love that comes from above
Spread the Joy to every girl and boy
Spread the goods and some delicious food
Spread the Word about the Birth of the LORD
Spread the greetings of this Special Season
Share a hug and a kiss, with those you love and miss!

A Very Merry Christmas and HAPPY New Year,
From LADY I to everyone far and near!

p.s. Don't forget to celebrate the actual celebrant in this CHRISTmas season!
And in that spirit, allow me to share with you a little poem I wrote years ago, specifically on November 12th 2002:


HIS STORY

He was a baby, born in a manger, watched by the shepherds, served by the Kings
He was a boy, caught in the temple, teaching the aged, what His father taught Him

He was a man, baptized in the Jordan, from which He emerged as the dove descended
Then God proclaimed: "This is my Son, in Him I'm well pleased, He is my beloved"

He was still a man, hung on the cross, wounded and bleeding, despised by other men
His blood was shed, your sins to cleanse, your ills to heal, your hearts to mend

He is a King, a high priest is He, esteemed above all, the one I adore
Soon He will come, come for His own, the ones who choose to love Him more and more

From tiny babe to great King, He remains humble, with hands stretched out to you, He calls
Will you respond, will your surrender; your heart, your life, your love, your all?

_ _ _
Lady I. - Willingly Surrendered

How Do I Go On?

This poem is dedicated to you who are facing overwhelming circumstances and wondering if you will ever get through. I feel you.

HOW DO I GO ON?
Copyright ©Ifueko Ogbomo 2009

A body broken. A love lost. A dream destroyed.
Pain indescribable. Misery irrepressible. Agony insurmountable.
A body racked with pain is brutal
A heart wrecked by despair, fatal

One minute all is well: The sky is blue, the grass is green,
birds sing sweetly, laughter rings freely;
One minute, you’re walking with a pep in your step; a twinkle in your eye and a super-sparkly smile
The next minute, everything changes
An argument. An accident. One morbid message. One calamitous call.
Instantly laughter is transformed into tears, exuberant joy into immeasurable sorrow
The light of day becomes a gross darkness, crushing your very soul
Life as you know it ceases to be

Then questions arise: Why this? Why now? Why me? Why? ...
The answers elude, thus the despair deepens.
The broken body will never mend. The lost love will never be found. The destroyed dream will never be realized.
Then the many questions become one: ‘How do I go on?’

When each dawn is but a despicable reminder of another dreaded day
The laughter of others but a dagger thrust deeper into my despondent soul
How do I go on?
Would that I stop feeling, for all I feel is raw, incessant pain – I long to go numb
Would that I stop seeing, for all I see conjures up terrifying memories – I long to forget
There is no more light, no, just a dark dark night
I am become but a shadow of what I once was
How do I go on?
My past, forgotten; my present, traumatic; my future, what future?
I know of none. I imagine none. I envision nothing.
How do I go on?
I have but one desire: to close my eyes in eternal sleep, and no more ever weep.
Or know you another way? Pray show me, please, tell me...
How do I go on?
_ _ _

In answer to the above question, let me say the following:
You go on by looking up, and you do it one day at a time.
Don’t look downward or inward because all you’ll see is sorrow. Don’t look around you because your circumstances will overwhelm you.
Just look up to God.
Whenever I face situations that make me wonder how I could ever go on, I find solace in two scriptural facts:
1. Nothing, absolutely nothing, neither death nor life, the present or the future, will ever be able to separate mefrom the unconditional everlasting love God has for me (Romans 8: 38,39; Jeremiah 31:3).
2. Since I love God, and I’m called according to His purpose, then I know that God causes ALL things to work together for my good, ultimately (Romans 8:28).
When I’m overwhelmed by life, believing these facts give me the strength to go on, one day at a time and I hope they will do the same for you.

Remember, no matter how long a night is, it must give way to the rising of the sun - the light of a brand new day. Look up!
_ _ _
Lady I. – Still Standing Strong!

Joy, Despite!

Okay, have you ever had one of 'those' days?
You know, when you wake up on the 'wrong side of the bed'?
Everyone and their mama-in-law is out to step on your toes and get on your last nerve?!
Basically, everything that could possibly go wrong does.
It's one of those days when your alarm doesn't go off for some mysterious reason so you're running late for work; plus your beloved dog chewed up your favorite shoes so your carefully pre-selected wardrobe has to be changed. Despite it all you're out the door in one piece and off to work. Ofcourse it starts to rain, and being late all the parking spaces are taken so you have to park two blocks away from the office and walk. that's when you realize you forgot to put the umbrella in your car, great! Well, walking the two blocks as fast as you can, you get mud-splashed as a car whizzes by, so now you look like a wreck. Just as you walk in the office you see all your colleagues leaving the conference room - the big boss had decided to show up early and have an impromptu office meeting which ofcourse, you missed and are now officially in the boss' black book. ouch. Well, moving on you get behind your desk and discover you have three messages on the answering machine:
1. Your partner at work is sadly indisposed and won't be at work today so your workload has just doubled
2. Your kid is in detention AGAIN, and his teacher needs to meet with you ASAP
3. Your spouse says something just came up and your desperately-needed, much-anticipated date night tonight is cancelled, until further notice. double ouch.
So, at this point your already massaging your aching temples and it's not even lunch time yet - speaking of lunch you obviously won't be having a break today, what with your doubled work load and all ... and then just when you think this rotten day can't possibly get any worse ...... it does! aaaaaaaarrgh!!!

Okay, so this is what one of 'those' days could look like - can you relate?
The truth is at this point you've got two options:
A. Go through the day mad at everything, yell at every helpless person you can find, and keep popping pills to manage your headache which is escalating to a migraine per minute; and throw yourself a pity-party while you're at it, cos you 'just can't catch a break' ...
B. Think about the facts that you still have a working car, a job, a loving spouse and kids (all things that millions of people are wishing for) plus your not laying on a hospital bed, locked up in jail or the psych ward, and certainly not in the mortuary, and take a couple minutes to give thanks for all that - and laugh about the day's unnerving events.

Umm, see i'd go with option B and i'll tell you why. Since 'those days' come around more often than we'd like, repeatedly going with option A will probably get you prematurely gray, maybe even sporting an ulcer, and it will definitely put you in the top slot for 'office grouch' - ;-)
Option B on the other hand will keep you cheerful,which means less wrinkles on your pretty face, and mental clarity - straight so you can find a way to get through your crazy day! Besides, believe me, it would make a great dinnertime story at some point!

Hey, bottomline we can't always control what happens in our lives, but we can ALWAYS choose our attitudes about it.
I like to say it like this: It doesn't matter if nothing goes right, I choose to keep my joy, despite!
So if you're having one of 'those' days, take a few minutes to think about the things that are working out.
Sing a song.
Dance a jig.
Find a way to laugh.
Do whatever it takes to get joyful and guard your joy jealously!
Finally remember: Even the worst day cannot last longer than 24 hours!

- - -
Lady I. - unapologetically joyful!

Attention! Calling a Reforming Generation!

Copyright © Ifueko Ogbomo 2009

Four fellows sit tensely, on the edges of their sofa seats, watching the television screen. Each one exclaims randomly and gesticulates wildly, occasionally glancing at the on-screen timer. As the seconds tick, the suspense in the air mounts, until it is almost unbearable. The home team is down by one point. Countdown is five minutes on the clock. Fortunately, the ball falls into the play of the home team. As the home players dribble their opponents, and draw closer to the opposition’s goal post, our four fellows find themselves on their feet, pacing, panting, puffing, and otherwise making a spectacle of themselves. The fellows exclaim with passion: ‘Oh, pass the ball’ ... ‘take the shot, man’ ‘look at that rubbish - my grandmother can dribble better than that’ .... Indeed, it’s soccer fever at its finest. And then, a passionate unanimous shout ‘YEI! NEPA!’ – There’s been a black out, power is gone, and the fellows are left hanging. Ouch.
One of them turns to the host and says: “My guy, what about your generator?”
“Generator?” the host replies, “the game will be over before we can turn it on! Besides, there’s no fuel in it, what with the fuel scarcity for the past two weeks, it’s all I can to do keep my car running.”
And then the murmuring begins ...
“Haaa, Nigeeeria! Meeen, when will the government do something about this?”
“Government? do you think government officials suffer power failure in their houses, please. You are even talking - at least you have ‘light’ a few hours a day, if not for your place where would I watch the match? In my area we haven’t had power at all for three WEEKS, in fact water hasn’t come at all for 4 months and they have come to present the utility bills, every month as usual, can you beat that? ...”
“Hmm! May God help us oh – no light, no water, fuel scarcity, no jobs ... in short this country is just getting worse everyday! Kai! Man, the best thing is to make plans to check out oh, otherwise how will one raise children here? ... “
Hmm. A typical conversation amongst typical Nigerians today: expressions of frustration, hopelessness, and weariness, undergirded by a longing for a change. But will there ever truly be a change? And what will it take to see one? A Change, more specifically a Reformation – this is the subject of my meditation.

There is a demand, a gross demand for catalysts of change in our great nation. But who will supply that demand? History demonstrates that a few have tried and sporadically wrought change in one sector or another, but such changes have been short-lived. It appears that some people make attempts to bring about change, but they end up giving up, giving in to pressures, and conforming to the status quo. Many say they wish for change, but they do nothing, resolved to the notion that one man can do nothing against millions. Motivational speaker and Pastor, Rev. Goodheart Ekwueme shared that many years ago he asked his father what difference his father thought just one man can make; one man swimming upstream, refusing to conform to the status quo, standing up for justice and equity and fair-play – what can just one man do? and his father answered him thus: ‘one tree on its own will not make a forest, but one tree can begin the process of making a forest.’ Wise words indeed and as I listened to him talk, I took them to heart – if you have any desire to see change in your nation, you would do well to also take those words to heart.

My belief is thus: What our country needs is reformation!
What is reformation? It is a RE-forming, or the process of being RE-formed. Webster’s Dictionary states that to REFORM something is to improve it by removing faults and weaknesses OR by strengthening its good qualities. It also states that to reform is to ‘put an end to evil, abuse, etc.’ The natural conclusion then would be that in order for reformation to occur in our nation, there must be an end to evil, a cessation of abuse in all its forms; our faults and weaknesses must be removed AND our good qualities must be strengthened.
What are these evils, these faults, these weaknesses? Selfishness, Greed and Injustice are the deep-rooted evil trees in our nation that bear fruits of corruption, fraud, bribery, oppression. There is mass poverty with the exception of a few obscenely wealthy persons, who occupy themselves with the sole task of amassing even more wealth, while the masses spiral further down into abject poverty – it is an evil indeed. Some of our weaknesses include nepotism, tribalism – My good friend, your brother is not just the man who speaks your language; your sister is not only the lady who hails from the same state as you; we must learn to embrace each other as Nigerians, as ONE people, with one cause - otherwise we will not need any external enemies to destroy us, for we will slowly and surely destroy ourselves. Admitting our faults and facing them head on is a step we must take in order to correct them. We’ve swept these evils, faults and weaknesses under the carpet for so long, anyone glancing at the carpet can see the tell-tale bulge of our dirt beneath. The only way the reformation of our nation will occur is to raise a new breed – a breed void of greed, only a greed-free breed will succeed at the herculean task of national reformation.

It is often said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I daresay a nation is only as strong as its weakest person - its most unsavoury character. In order for a nation to become strong, great, a force to be reckoned with – its people, each person must strive to become strong and great, not necessarily in wealth and position, but strong in character and great in compassion. Indeed, the reformation, the change you desire must begin IN you, FROM you, right where you are. To reform a person, is defined as ‘changing the person’s ways for the better.’ My friend, there is no better person to reform you than yourself, because no one knows your ‘ways’ – your character, your attitudes, your motives and thoughts, better than yourself. You must become that first ‘tree’ that grows in the would-be forest of reformers. If you can become strong in godly principles and character, and refuse to conform to the status quo, then the change has begun: first you - then your family - your neighbourhood - your city - your region and before you know it, the righteous outnumber the evil, and the nation is exalted. Our nation will then become the envy of other nations; taking her rightful place, Nigeria will then become a catalyst of positive change in Africa and the world. IT IS POSSIBLE, YES, but it starts with YOU.

Do you know who you are? You are the salt of the earth. Now we are all aware that salt on its own is of no use, and is unpleasant to the taste. However, when just a little bit of salt is added to an entire pot of food, the food that was once bland, unappetizing, unsatisfying, and therefore almost useless, becomes seasoned, edible, even delicious. The appropriately salted food can then achieve its intended purpose – satisfaction of hunger - effectively. That’s what you are called to be, salt of the earth. Like salt you may seem small, the minority, but if you stay true to yourself, if you ensure that you do not loose your ‘savour,’ if you do not loose sight of godly principles like integrity, righteousness, justice, no matter how strong the opposition or the majority might be, then you will be effective as a much-needed catalyst of change in this nation.

You are also the light of the world! Indeed. As the light of the world, you cannot and should not be hidden. Darkness, no matter how thick, inevitably gives way to light, no matter how dull. And the brighter the light, the less the darkness. Light can also be seen from a long ways off. Think about a ship tossed and turned at sea, it has lost its bearings, until way off in the distance, it spots the LIGHT-house – a beacon of hope indeed. What happens then? The captain and crew climb out of their pits of despair, as the ship makes its way directly for the lighthouse – it has found safety again, why? because it has seen the LIGHT. That’s what you and I are called to be: LIGHT in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Remember, light NEVER bows to darkness, it’s the other way around, every time. You are meant to bring hope, bring comfort, bring joy, everywhere you find yourself. Be the defender of the defenceless, be the voice of the poor, be father or mother to the orphan. Be SALT, with a strong savour, to season your environment. Be LIGHT, shining brighter and brighter, to light up your world! You CAN do it!

At this point I must tell you quite frankly that if you intend to successfully effect CHANGE, you must be ready to rock the boat of the status quo. In other words must be ready to refuse to engage in what presently seen as ‘typical Nigerian behaviour.’ Refuse to make derogatory remarks about our country, instead say what you desire to see; eventually what you keep saying is what will BE. Refuse to be disorderly; refuse to throw trash out of your vehicle onto the streets; refuse to jump queues; refuse to falsify documents, cheat and scheme to get contracts; refuse to make illegal connections to get electricity, refuse to steal your company’s property, no matter how small or insignificant; refuse to conform to the status quo! Irish philosopher and politician, Edmund Burke aptly said ‘all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing!’ Don’t sit down and do nothing – STAND UP, my friend; stand up for right-living, right-speaking, right-thinking, right-doing, stand up for righteousness! Reform your attitude toward our Nation, your words about our country; reform your character and conduct as a New Breed Nigerian!

It doesn’t matter if ‘everyone else’ conforms - never give in! Remember that God sees your actions at ALL times, when you think no one is watching, He is; even more – He sees the secret motives and thoughts behind your every action. God sees, and God will judge. It matters not who you please or displease, what matters bottom-line is this: is the Almighty God pleased?

In addition, you must of necessity take time and make time to pray for Nigeria. Instead of complaining, murmuring, or planning to ‘check-out’ at the earliest possibility - PRAY! If you don’t pray for change, then don’t expect to see change. If you don’t pray for change, you have no right to complain when things remain the same. If you don’t pray for YOUR country, please tell me, who will?

So my good friend, YOU CAN become a mighty oak tree in the forest of a reforming generation. No, it will not be a walk in the park or a bed of roses, because you will be going against the grain and guess what? it requires significantly more strength to swim upstream than it does to go with the flow. It takes guts, real courage, to stand up against prevailing unrighteousness. Yes, it will take time, determination, consistency, effort and sacrifice. Indeed, you may loose some instant gratifications, and certain present advantages you may be enjoying; you may loose friends, and you may never be popular. It may be a lonely road you will tread, but it will be a walk to remember. For your present sacrifice is a small price to pay to obtain the great prize of a positive and permanent change in this nation.

Nigeria is in dire need of catalysts of change: Reformers. Men and women determined to not only bring an end to evil and abuse, not only remove our faults and weaknesses but also strengthen our good qualities. Men and Women who will celebrate our diversity without tribalism. Exploit the full potential of ALL of our resources, natural and human. Build the creativity and intelligence of our youth, moulding them to be selfless leaders from a tender age. Stand out as determined patriots and worthy ambassadors of this great country. Men and women who are ready to forget their personal agendas and strive for one goal – the good of our nation.

This IS a call for a reforming generation; catalysts of change; a breed without greed.

It is a clarion call, to a noble goal, and it’s sounding YOUR name.

The only question is this: will YOU answer this call?

_ _ _ _ _

Get inspired, Go inspire!

Lady I. - Proudly Nigerian

Nigeria, Arise!

Copyright © Ifueko Ogbomo 2009

140,000,000 people, old and young

250 ethnic groups, numerous tribes and tongues

49 years of independence from British rule

36 states from Abia to Zamfara, with 36 capitals too

3 major languages: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba; 4 if you add ‘pidgin’ too

2 National colours: the serene white shade and the vibrant green hue

1 Federal Capital Territory: Abuja; sum all that up and what do you find?

Nigeria, a nation that’s one-of-a-kind!

There’s no land like Nigeria, wondrous to behold

Olumo, Aso and Zuma rocks, amazing, they never grow old

See the hills of Katampe, watch Gurara’s waterfall

Several Rivers: Niger, Benue, Sokoto, Kaduna, I cannot name them all

Tourists flock to see the Obudu cattle ranch, and Yankari game reserve

With festivals like Tinapa, Argungu, the Abuja carnival, our heritage is preserved

Behold industries: Petrochemicals, Agro-allied, textiles and so many more

Combined with vast resources to complete our solid infrastructure

A plethora of resources indeed, but the most important one

The Nigerian intellect – surely second to none

Observe our gifted ambassadors, icons of intelligence, passion and creativity

Like Alh. Dangote, an entrepreneurial giant; Oluchi, symbol of our beauty

Kanu Nwankwo, international sports star and philanthropist; Chimamanda, all hail our literary queen!

Fela Durotoye, motivator-par-excellence, and Asa just keeps rocking the musical scene

Now Lady I, inspirational poet unveiled, the list goes on and on and on

They make us proud to be Nigerians, to boldly sing our national song

A truly blessed nation in every way

A force to be reckoned with, anytime, any day

Call me patriotic if you will, but I just have to say

Been east, been west, NAIJA IS BEST!

‘The greatest nation on earth’ within us that potential lies

But it needs to be realized, therefore Nigeria MUST ARISE!

For too long our story has been a sad, sad tale

Of resources wasted, labour exploited, youth misspent in jail

We’ve imported the unnecessary, exported our necessities

Making others rich, while we sink deeper into poverty

Now beat down and rejected, we groan and we weep

With no help in sight, we cry ourselves to sleep

Oh Nigeria, how can this be, when we’ve got-it-all?

Riches of agriculture, crude oil, precious stones and much more

The wonders of nature are seen all across our lands

Indeed, we are a people of great minds and gifted hands

God has blessed us immeasurably, now the ball lies in our court

It’s time for us to take action with a new sense of worth

North and South, old and young, rich and poor, we must unite

Set our differences aside and join hands in one good fight

Against corruption, injustice, selfishness and greed

As good people building a great nation indeed

A new day has come, our new dawn is here

The darkness is fading, so the light can shine clear

Nigeria, Arise!

It’s time to bring an end to shame and sorrow

To set a new standard that others might follow

It’s time to lay afresh a good foundation

To take your place amongst the nations

Nigeria, Arise!!

The world is waiting, it’s anticipating

The sound of a strong beat, from the heart of Africa

Nigeria, Arise!!!

Fulfil your destiny!!!

- - - - - -

Lady I. - Proudly Nigerian