Nigeria, our diversity is our strength

As a Nigerian and an ambassador of peace and unity in my country, it is good to show to the world what Nigeria stands for, her uniqueness and complexity, and why the name Nigeria rings a bell across the globe. People may be wondering, what's the hell with this country called Nigeria? Why is her name been mentioned all around the world and what's the rancor with this nation?

I am here to tell you about my beloved country, the giant of Africa, and the rescue point of the world in time to come. We have seen an interesting time that triggered a lot of philosophical thoughts about the country called Nigeria. On which part of the world you lived, you can view Nigeria and Nigerians like a coin, and only the side that turns to you can you tell, and that will only be a half-truth or no truth at all. In essence, whatever you hear about Nigeria and Nigerians from other nations can only be a half-truth or no truth at all.

Our national pledge starts with the words "I pledge to Nigeria my country, to be faithful, loyal, and honest". And here before the world, I remain faithful, loyal, and honest and so is every Nigerian wherever they may be living around the world. The other part of the pledge has something striking to the core and value every Nigerian holds. "To serve Nigeria with all my strength and to uphold her honor and glory". This will let everyone know why Nigeria and Nigerians are the way they are. Her honor and glory are what we live to defend anywhere across the world.

That said, now let dive deeper into the uniqueness of the diversity of my country called Nigeria. This is not about history but a philosophical representation and the truth about my beloved country, the giant of Africa.

Nigeria as a country comprises 500 tribes and 250 languages, a very wide and complex nation and each of these tribes come into being with their resources, and as a nation that came together in agreement to form a nation called Nigeria. Nigeria has numerous natural resources and an abundance of human resources. The average Nigerian is a very creative being whose only deficiency is a lack of direction. The reason for this lack of direction is the slavery mentality inherited from the foregoing fathers of our nation Nigeria. Nigerians have great potential, yet we act like 3rd Class Citizens of the World due to the slavery mentality that has been passed on from generation behind. Nevertheless, numerous individuals have seen the faults on the foundation of this great nation and are rising to correct the wrongs.

It will interest you to know that Nigeria has almost all the major language dialects of the world in her language diversities. This may seem funny but it's true, if you can match linguistics you will discover that the word "Calabar " is a Chinese dialect. Calabar is a popular city name in Nigeria. Most dialects of the world have their roots in Nigeria. You can see why Nigeria is unique and a focal point of the world. Every nation of the world wants to have a piece of Nigeria because their roots are there. They may not know this, so they think of exploiting her, but no matter what Nigeria will be great. The summary of this narrative is that Nigeria is a home for the world in time to come.

Now someone would say what about all these bad incidents and bad name-calling of Nigerians across the world today?

This is what I have to tell you. Given the divergence of the uniqueness and complexity of the country Nigeria, you will see that every bad practice across the world has its place in Nigeria, so also is every good practice because a part of the world's languages is in her. Bad governance didn't start in Nigeria, it's an importation. Fraud and corruption didn't start in Nigeria it's an importation. Terrorism didn't start in Nigeria, this also is an importation. So whatever you hear or see happening in Nigeria or done by Nigerians are all imported into her system because a part of her share root with the world system.

How about Intelligence and knowledge? Nigerians don't come last. It's on record that the current world's mathematics best student is a Nigerian. Be it inventions or academic excellence Nigeria and Nigerians have their names inked in a golden pen around the world. Our major problem is that we have looked down on ourselves for too long that it seems our legs no longer know how to walk, so we keep learning how to take a step all over again and again as the government changes.

We know like every other nation around the world, the evil and unrest happening in Nigeria has the hands of power players underneath them of which some are foreign influences who prey on the turbulence of our nation for gain. And our leaders are used as puppets by these foreign influences to fight against their people. But we have the strength to defeat this evil if we want. Our diversity is our strength. The day Nigeria recognizes the strength of her diversity is the day true freedom and prosperity begin with us.

Our collective dream is to have a country where every tribe speaks with one voice, shunning tribal and religious differences. No more Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo. Every tribe speaks the same language, and that language you know is the language of love, unity, and freedom. We look forward to a Nigeria with one voice and one language where the Muslims are no different from the Christians. Where everyone has equal rights and privileges. A nation of equal opportunity, where the Hausa man is happy to defend an Igbo man, and the Yoruba man the same. This will serve as a lesson to those who are promoters of tribes and religious differences. Our diversity is our strength, together we make Nigeria great.

This is an entry for the Nigeria community writing prompt for the week tagged #NIGERIAMYHERITAGE.

Thanks to @Greatwolfman for spearheading this writing challenge.

#NIGERIAMUSTBEGREAT

All images sourced from Unspash.com