My Country Nigeria (Part One) -By Abdulsalam Jubril

It was a watershed moment on the 1st of October 1960

When the usurpers gave us our independence, but not in its entirety
Political independence it was, as economic independence proved to be illusory

Anyways we sang, we danced, as we celebrated our partial victory
We began ruling ourselves amidst religious and ethnic cleavages
As regional champions rose up with sentiments, leaving us with many disadvantages

From north to south, east to west, people carried on with their ethnic baggages

Nevertheless we persevered as a country seemingly in unity but with many damages
Our forefathers tried their best to bring forth a great nation

Balewa, Azikiwe, Awolowo had dreams of a country worthy of acclamation

They toiled, feuded and made compromises for the entire population

However their labour were soon cut short and dreams didn’t come to realization
The men in Khaki suddenly kyboshed our budding democracy

In confusion we all ran helter-skelter, as if in lunacy

They began seeking acceptance with various forms of advocacy

Claiming the civilian government was inept with leadership inadequacy
The men in Khaki after the coup assumed governance

The first General to steer the reins lacked acceptance

Hence, a set of men in Khaki stroke again with a vengeance

“E don happen again” we all screamed in our local parlance

The new man in Khaki to take the reins was young and seemed vibrant

He accepted to steer the country even though he was reluctant

By this time a section of the country were disgruntled and became blatant
Secession by any means they vociferously agitated was the resultant

In time their agitations became a call for a country called Biafra

As they felt they would be better off in their country also in West Africa
Their agitations soon turned into war, “independence” became their mantra
The war later lasted years, marking the end of a historical era

In those years, agriculture was the mainstay of our economic activity
We sweated and toiled in the fields in exultation and in conformity

Groundnut pyramids, yam barns, cotton and cocoa were in sufficiency

Currently though, all these are no more succumbing to inefficiency

Insidiously replacing agriculture came the oil boom

Monies called petrol dollars made us lazy, presaging doom

We spent, we swaggered, as money we made could inundate a room

We didn’t plan and prioritize, and failed to see the loom

Yet again, some men in Khaki took over the government

Claiming the former was wasteful and was incompetent

When they came they said they will offer us better management

In time their policies turned out to be more efficient

The new man was welcomed and hailed and he duly asserted his influence

In Africa and beyond the world came to no his competence

However his sway wasn’t to last as he was killed in vicious violence
We lost a gem and history came to remember him as a man of prominence
In fright and tears his deputy took over the helm of affairs

Promising to hand over government back to civilian repair

Some disbelieved him as many were still in despair

He ended military rule as promised, but they soon reappeared

Written by Abdulsalam Jubril
You can follow me on Twitter via @Abdul_Jubril