Rachel Okpara is a member of the Peace Movement Organisation of Nigeria.

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Say Something Positive…

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is an Islamic scholar and Banker.

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Say Something Positive…

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Femi Salawu is a Lagos-based journalist.

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Jimi Solanke is a well-known storyteller, actor and performer. Fondly remembered as the face and voice of the ‘Tales by Moonlight’ TV series.

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Say Something Positive…

What comes to your mind when you hear the words Nigerian or Nigeria?

For many, the answer is negative but what if we choose to focus on the positive? Well, that’s the thinking behind The 419Positive Project, an ambitious mission in search of 419 positive attributes of Nigerians and Nigeria. In a few weeks, we will begin a nationwide tour, filming the attributes we’ve found so far and engaging with ordinary Nigerians. However, there’s something a little special about this tour – we’re asking Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to help design the roadmap by submitting positive attributes. Your voices will direct the team as we make our way around Nigeria.

We’re very excited about this project and have worked on it for a few years now. We’ve endured many setbacks but we’ve also held back deliberately; waiting and watching and hoping for the right timing and atmosphere in Nigeria. During the hiatus we learnt a few lessons, the most important being to stop waiting because each time what we thought was the perfect time drew near, something new would crop up and upset the nation’s ambience.

Still, one question weighs heavily on our minds: is it ridiculous to ask Nigerians to Say Something Positive… when they’re faced with the daily realities of bad governance, poor infrastructure and an uncertain future?

We’ve struggled with this, more so in the wake of recent events, and we questioned whether to carry on but we have decided to follow our hearts and see where this takes us. Deep down we hope that by encouraging Nigerians to think about their similarities and whatever features that are special and positive about themselves and the nation, this project might inspire Nigerians to stop fighting each other and unite to fight for a better future for all.

We’re embarking on this project because we believe in the power of positive storytelling to effect change, and that ordinary Nigerians deserve a platform to tell their stories. We are certain that this journey will come with many difficulties but we are also hopeful that it will reward us with a renewed appreciation for Nigeria and a new understanding of what it means to be Nigerian.

We invite you to take this journey with us.

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Say Something Positive…

Yagazie Chukwumerije, poet and Olympic bronze medalist (Men’s Taekwondo, 2008), wrote this specially for us. Thanks Yaga.

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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‘Kayode Adegbola captures the energy and enthusiasm of these traditional musicians from SW Nigeria.

(Note: Images are owned by the photographer. Please, do not copy)

Yoruba musician playing the ‘shekere’

Yoruba musician playing the talking drum

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Say Something Positive…

Each year, the Emir of the Borgu Kingdom hosts a celebration to mark the end of the month-long Muslim fasting period. Bukkie Opebiyi, shares some images from her 2005 visit. The Borgu Kingdom is in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. It is also home to the hydroelectric power plant, Kainji Dam.

(Note: Images are owned by the photographer. Please, do not copy)

Ornately dressed horses prepared for racing

The Emir’s guards stand out in their ceremonial red and whips

Traditional trumpeters pay homage to the Lady-in-Waiting (in green)

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Say Something Positive…

Welcome to The 419Positive Project blog.

We’ll be sharing experiences from our journey, as well as your positive voices by way of photographs, poetry and other forms. We hope you’ll keep coming back. Thank you.

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Say Something Positive…