THE WALK FOR CHANGE

Suleiman Hashimu or ‘The traveller’ as I prefer to call him is an indigene of Katsina state, Funtua to be precise. He was born in Osun state but lives in Ibadan.

The traveler promised two years ago to walk from where ever he is to the capital of Nigeria, Abuja if General Muhammadu Buhari wins the election in 2015.  BBC Hausa, Voice of America and Aminiya (a Hausa Mgazine) interviewed him. He was in Lagos when Buhari was declared the President-elect of Nigeria. He left Lagos at about 5am the next day and arrived Ibadan around 6pm. He went to get a police report to allow for the smoothness of his journey but couldn’t wait and so, the D.P.O. gave him his phone number. Despite several discouragement from friends and at the same time, inspiration from friends and loved ones; he continued from Ibadan to Oyo. Then from Oyo to Ogbomoso.; And from Ogbomoso to Ilorin with much hospitality at every stop.

At Ilorin, some people escorted him for some miles and he stopped at Oloru. Oloru, to border’n Sa’ada and then to Jebba. He received so much hospitality from Jebba and unlike other villages he met a lot of people who had heard of the traveller. About 20 people set off with him from Jebba and after some miles, about 18 went back but the remaining two where determined. They met with armed robbers close to Makwa and luckily, he already met one of them in Jebba and he even gave him 200 Naira for pure water. The robber told his colleagues that he was going to see Buhari and he gave him 2000 Naira and then slapped the two men with him. He continued his journey from Mkwa to Kudu and then to Kutigi. He is currently in Kutigi and will continue his journey to Bida tomorrow by the grace of God.

I asked him about his encounter with the different people and he said it was remarkable. Actually he gets more determined to move on from the people. He was even treated like a King in a village in Niger. They sang tribal songs he didn’t understand and travellers stop to provide him with food and company along the way. Most of them are familiar with him because they travel the same route daily. Sometimes up to 10 cars would stop to converse with him. News travelled with the public transports to different places on his route and people from several cities, towns and villages on his route would call to check up on him and inquire about his journey.

He doesn’t know for sure if Buhari knows of him but several of his support organizations do. He intends to reach Abuja by 27^th of May and celebrate with the new president at his inauguration ceremony.

You can reach him on his mobile: 08057333300. Please do share the news of ‘the traveller’.

Bleeding Land

I was filling a petition form on crimes against against humanity in Nigeria and coincidentally a documntary on rape victims in Rwanda was showing on aljazeera. A woman described what it was like to be raped by over four men and ending up with an unwanted child who wouldn’t quit asking about his father in a country where sexual talks is a considerd a taboo. I watched as a woman, a mother cried about raising the pain she would like to bury in not just sand, but also cover in concrete. She read a letter her son sent her from school on reasons why he wants to know who his father is when all of a sudden, her head fell on the table and she cried like we all did in primary school when our uncle flogs us for failing a class work. 

I didn't feel the tears driping from my eyes as I was lost in her world. I imagine being in her shoes; having society look down on you for being a very hurt victim of war. As I filled my form, I arrived at a box that asked why I was signing the petition…why? 

Becasuse of the 219 and many more girls that were kidnapped. Because of  the girls and mothers being raped and tortured by terrorists. Because of the women that will end up raising children they never asked for. For my brothers being kidnapped and forced into terrorism. For those who were slaughtered, burnt, bombed or shot. Because of the orphans created by this insurgency. For my people living as refugees in other countries and are still not safe. For my people in distress, struggle, pain and sorrow.

I don't have to know these people or be from the north east to sympathize with or speak up for them. I just have to be human. I jst have to be a Nigerian to feel the pain of my country men be they from my religion, tribe, or not. So I signed the petition for my country men in suffering; I signed the petiton for Nigeria. I signed the petition in the hope that the tears in my eyes will dry up soon enough for my heart to light up in joy as my great country stops bleeding.

Keep Nigeria Great

   It is good to see that Nigerians are excited about the upcoming elections. From the comments and updates, it seems like people are becoming more aware of their civil rights as the citizens of this great Nation.

    Great nation sounds ironic especially because of the current situation we are in right now. That actually is the reason for this right up. The Baga massacre was a dark, tragic and one of the worst ever experienced in Nigeria and yet, the killing is still going on.

    We have citizens who can barely afford food; fathers who can't take care of their families; people dropping out of school; unemployed graduates all over the place; I could go on and on but you already know the rest.

    The Baga incident should have taught us that the world will only help us if we are willing to help ourselves. So while discouraging election violence; because let's face it, too many of us have died already. This election should be about all of those I mentioned. Tribes and religions will thrive irrespective of the candidates, those of us who have been affected in one way or the other won't.

    Vote into power leaders who will wipe the tears of our loving parents; bring back our girls; stop the killing of our countrymen;  bring our people back home; uphold the unity and restore the greatness of our country. Nigeria has always been a great country. Let's keep it that way please.

Black Friday

Unidentifiable Body parts shattered in pieces and piled up in pick up trucks, people burnt black lined like animals. The body is indeed an empty vessel without the soul. People like me and you laid dead covered in blood fathers, children, grandfathers, uncles lay helpless on the floor of passages, hallways and car parks of hospitals.

   A man from one of the video said over 500 people died from the bomb last, not counting the injured. These are people like me. Fathers like mine. Peoples brothers and uncles. Imagining the pain the victims on the floor were in alone is painful. They laid muted from pain. The pain the dead went through before they passed away! Thought of a needle going through my ears keeps me from getting more piercings. The thought of loosing a member of my family brings me to tears.

    These people humbly went to worship not knowing that everything they did before that time was their last. The cause of all these remains unclear. Is it political? Religious? Tribal? Vengeance? Lots of opinions prevail. I learnt civilisation ends savagery. Ours is a different case. Continuous ending of harmless lives for selfish purposes. 

    And the comments are agonising. Souls being taken, homes being broken and orphans being made constantly aren't conditions to be celebrated. I do not wish any of these on my worst enemy. This is the time to stand together and support the victims of this tragedy. This is the time to speak up as one.

The Day of Tribes

    Imagine a Nigeria where our differences are celebrated. Just like October 1st is Independence Day; a particular day is marked as "unity in diversity day", "cultural day", or something like that. A national holiday to be celebrated by every state. We can all go to the stadium as any of our numerous tribes.

    I will go the 1st time in a Nupe attire. To please my parents of course and also for people know what the nupe attire looks like. I will work majestically😎 in my 2 wrappers and headgear with a huge grin on my face atleast untill I get tired😢

    Another time, I will go as a Tiv woman. God I love their outfit and dance😍. Well, I probably wouldn't break and twist like they do but I'll learn a few words to hammer people when I'm approached😏. And if I end up being approached by someone who speaks fluent Tiv, I will hammer them with my charm😊. They have to show me love, I am dressed as one of them😜.

    I will enter myself into the food contest and cook either Edikang Ikong or moi-moi wrapped with leaves😋. Those can never go wrong unless a Calabar woman participates in the contest😓.

    And oh! I will be around the people of Kebbi, Kogi, Niger and Benue for some fish pepper soup😅.  It will be a perfect replacement for popcorn while I enjoy the Eyo, Akatakpa, Nike, Ijele, Kuti, etc. masquerades display. And the Juju, babalawo or Nigerian magicians perform( I know I wouldn't be a volunteer😁).

    Did I mention that I will watch the Koroso dance by the Hausas👯, hang around the Fulani tent for some Fura da Nono. And oh God! I will definitely be under the Benin tent for some groundnut soup🙅.

    I will go to the Igbo and Yoruba tent to watch the wonder that is their dance. Try on the Igala, Kanuri, Edo and Itsekiri outifit💃. I hope they dash me after I try them on🙏.

    And well, I know I will leave with a bag filled with food and various cultural objects such as carvings and jewelries💅💁. It's not awuf ooo🙈. I will also leave with knowledge and better understanding of numerous tribes👵.

Pray for Nigeria. (Happy Independence Day!).

I woke up this morning and the weather outside was mild and beautiful. The sweet, soft, cold and gentle breeze rocked the leaves and blew joy into the atmosphere. The sky was somewhat grey, looking as though it was going to rain but the clouds weren't heavy. Minutes later it began to drizzle and some peaceful rain followed. Everything about the morning was beautiful and gentle. Glory be to God! Nigeria is 54.

    So I began to pray. I prayed for God to bless my country. Bless the soil, trees, animals, people, etc. every single thing that makes up Nigeria.

    I prayed! I prayed to God to provide Nigeria with better leaders who will exhaust their last energy for Nigeria. Leaders who view every Nigerian as their own.

   I prayed! I prayed for God to bless those who strive for my country, give them strength, will and courage to continue their good work.

    I prayed to God! I begged God to guide our leaders onto the right path and protect us against those that are far gone. 

    I prayed! I prayed that the 2015 elections will be held peacefully and justly and for the best man to win.

    I prayed! I prayed to God to bring back our girls, bring back my sisters and for Him to protect them, grant them patience, endurance and perseverance.

    I prayed! I asked God to defeat the enemies of my great country and expose them. And to grant guidance to those that can be guided.

    I prayed to God! To grant my fellow citizens who died as a result of insurgency, diseases and every other responsibility of the government; heaven. Grant health, endurance and patience to those that are affected one way or another.

    I prayed! I prayed for God to give home to the homeless, voice to the voiceless, health to the sick, wealth to the poor, food to the starving, happiness to the sad and care to the orphan and widow. I prayed to God to provide every Nigerian with anything good they need.

    I prayed! Prayed for peace and stability; honesty amongst the rulers and the ruled.

    I prayed! I prayed for God to expose every hypocrite. For Him to clear the corrupt, the launderer, the criminal, the selfish and the heartless from our path.

    I prayed to God! I keep praying for my blessed country. The land of my ancestors; the land of Queen Amina, Oranmiyan and king Jaja. I asked asked God to protect the home of Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa and Awolowo.

    I prayed to God to watch over and enrich my fatherland. And most of all, I prayed! I pray! And I will continue to pray for Nigerian unity in Diveristy!

Happy Independence Day my people!!!

Lost virtues by Al-Amin Bugaje

Where is the justice?

When nepotism is surviving

When favoritism is abounding

When autonomy is the principle guiding

When wrongs keep surmounting

When rights are being subverted

Where is the peace?

When hatred dwells in our bosom

When discrimination is termed as awesome

When with everyday comes a new sorrow

When a fight breaks out from a hocus

When harmony seize to exist in our focus

Where is the security?

When where ever you are, you aren't  safe

When your home becomes just another cage

When bombs are a substitute for natural plague

When life is treated like a minimum wage

When peace and justice only exist in a page

When you can't trust even a goddamn sage.