Saturday 13 November 2010

30 Years After – The National Anthem!

Do you know that the year 2008 is symbolically relevant to the Nigerian national anthem? This is exactly 30 years that famous and inspiring anthem has been sung from the mouths of the wise and suckling. And have you ever critically analysed the lyrical contents? This is your opportunity to do so now.
                                                               
Arise, O compatriots,                                           
Nigeria's call obey.                                               
To serve our Fatherland                                      
With love and strength and faith.                        
The labour of our heroes past                             
Shall never be in vain,                                         
To serve with heart and might                            
One nation bound in freedom,                            
Peace and unity.                                                 


The Nigeria national anthem, “Arise, O compatriots” was adopted in 1978, that is thirty years ago, in preference to “Nigeria We Hail Thee” which was formally used as the national anthem between 1960 to 1978. The uniqueness of this anthem especially to me is the fact that 1978 was famously known in Nigeria as the oil boom, which we can say was when one can proudly say I am a Nigeria.

Tuesday 17 August 2010

EXTRACT "Tears on her Pillow"

Everywhere was dark except for the candlelight by the bedside. The night outside was calm, as the moon shone. Voices were heard but quite low. In the room a big sized picture frame hung just opposite the bed-landscape drawing; and it looked lovely. Beside the bed, a neatly arranged red rose stood on the side with a lamp stand. It still smelled fresh as it was well scented. The wardrobe at the far end of the room was neatly arranged with clothes on the hangers and shoes on the floor. On top of the wardrobe was a set of boxes.


Everything seemed to be in order except in her mind. She lay faced up in her cream flowered nightgown. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she remembered the events of the day. She could not believe that such a thing had happen to her. How could Uloaku do this to her? They never had any misunderstanding before. They got along quite well. Why the sudden change in behaviour? She wondered, as she turned to the other side of the bed and the tears turned to sobs.

Tuesday 30 March 2010

A taste of two worlds

As I sat in my room looking out of the window, the view of the lake with ducks and swans gliding on the surface of the water was beautiful. The tall, brownish green trees at the edge of the lake and the birds perching from tree to tree were a wonderful sight to behold. Although the lake was small, there were warning signs which hinted at the fact that it could be dangerous.


It amazes me when it rains with hailstorm at the same time. I wonder how the fishes in the little lake behind my room manage when the water is covered with ice, and how the swans and ducks still manage in the water. It is sunny one moment and you feel like wearing a cool clothe, the next moment you are freezing.

As I ponder all these in my heart, my mind flashed back to home.

Home, sweet home.

They say home is where the heart lies,