Yagazie Chukwumerije, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist (Men’s Taekwondo), wrote this specially for The 419Positive Project. Thanks Yagazie.

I have been scratching my head
In wonder for some years now,
Puzzled and amazed by such ignorance.
I shook my head in disbelief
‘Can anything good come out of Nigeria?’
They were asking me, flushed faces facing me
Giggles… Laughter… The taunting touch of mockery
The volcano in me nearing eruption
I held it down, held my peace
‘What is your response, Yaga?’
The taunting touch of mockery
Volcano in me, erupting… Where do I begin?

Thoughts like rapids rushing through my head
The beautiful soil that needs no tilling
The undulating plains that need no smoothening
Have they seen the sturdy hills of Enugu at dawn?
Or Olumo, the indomitable, proud head in the sun?
Have they heard of Gurara Falls?
Or stood on the peak of Obudu, where spirits stand tall?
No flood or quakes, no screaming hysteria
Do they know this beautiful Nigeria?

Thoughts like rapids rushing through my head
There, in the sands, the footfall of heroes
Warriors passed this way, paved the way to tomorrow
The trees still whisper, ‘Here lies Aminu Kano’
‘Here lies Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello’
‘Here lies Awolowo and the heart of Tarka’
‘Here lies the wall of Queen Amina of Zaria’
The trees still whisper these old, old stories
But do they know this beautiful history?

Four-One-Nine
Four hundred and nineteen children standing in a line
Facing poverty with dignity
Four hundred and nineteen men weaving an honest living,
Bleeding fingers squeezing water from stones
Four hundred and nineteen women scraping flesh off bones
Four hundred and nineteen backs, bent but not broken
Not a lie spoken, not a bribe taken

With nothing but the light shining in his own heart
There is Chinua Achebe writing, Things Fall Apart
From the depths of his own sorrow, at ends that never meet
There is Basketmouth cracking us up with his bottomless wit.
When we fall in love but lack the words to woo her
We let Tu Face sing, My African Queen to her
It is who we are – men and women who grip adversity
Twist and turn it with undaunted creativity

Thoughts like rapids rushing through my head
But they judge us for the one man duped in Tokyo
The one man swindled in Congo
When faceless millions are braving the winter
Working three jobs to send money home to mother
When resolve is building Nollywood – one film a time
Faceless millions walking one day at a time
Yet still doing much with so little…
Do they know these beautiful people?

Yaga?
Volcano erupted – silently, quietly
My eyes return, flushed faces still facing me
‘What do you say?’
Giggles… Laughter… Ignorance and ignorance talking
‘Can anything good come out of Nigeria?’
I rise to my feet – volcano erupted
I have never heard a thunder storm defend itself
So I turn around
On the back of my tee shirt – a simple message:
NAIJA FOR REAL
PLEASE STOP BEEFING!

©2009 Yaga Chukwumerije.

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