ASIAN HUMPTY DUMPTY

       I met a Chinese man in school today. As usual, our nationalities became the subject of discussion. "Nigeria! My president was there about a month ago" he said.

"Yes! World economic forum" I replied.

"Who does he think he is? He goes to Nigeria and gains a large share of the Nigerian import market". 

Na so I just dey look this chinco. With a smile on my face of course but the expression was different in my head.

"China invests in Sierra Leone and they call us the bad guys. They need investors" he said.

Now all I could say was " you know when you succeed in life, you have people that are envious of you. So they will say and do anything to bring you down." I know. I know. I had nothing else to say.

      I could imagine his head expanding with pride as he boasts of his country's achievements. Now I would boast about Nigeria but I got nothing. It was then I realised that the only things I ever brag  about are the 250 ethnic groups, geographical size, population, food, dressing, festivals, etc. I would talk about our natural resources but then I would have to explain things like how we have crude oil but import petrol, etc.

       I could keep praising china or find a way to brag about my country's diversity. Luckily he asked if I am from the north or south (this is it! My chance!). 

"I'm from the north."

"Are you hausa?" He asked.

"No. Nupe." I replied. Keep in mind that this man already told me that he speaks English obviously, Arabic and Spanish I think. In addition to Chinese.

So I told him that I speak Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulani, Igala, Kanuri and about 3 more languages. Before you think of me as a liar, you should know that I know a few words from some of these languages; so it's not entirely a lie. I would log on "bellanaijaweddings" to show off our beautiful brides and dressing but that would be off point.

       In a nutshell, all I'm trying to say is that our diversity is something no one can take away from us. Not the selfish government, not  boko haram and like my president pointed out earlier, even America knows this. These things might seem so little but right now it's all we've got. And even when other things come along be it good or bad we will still have our traditional food, our songs and dance, our culture, our pride.  We will always have Nigeria.