That Nigerian Girl

Hello! It’s been a while, forgive me.   A lot has happened and I cannot wait to share it with you. So, for those who know me, you would and should know that I am a feminist. And just so we’re on the same page, Feminist: A person who supports the belief that women should have the same opportunities and rights as men. Any idea different from this is not what feminism is about. Okay. It’s been two months at home now because of the Corona Virus, I hope you’re social distancing, washing your hands and being cautious. (Really, I hope you are). In this lockdown, a lot of things have happened. I have gone through a lot of phases and observed a lot of things, and I am going to talk about one of those observations. My Cousin, her children and I live together during this period. If you follow me you must have seen them one way or another. Lol. What I observed put questions on stereotypes for me. Lmao. You know that crap about women being natural caregivers, more attentive, and all...

I was standing at a bus stop waiting for a vehicle to convey me to my destination. Several vehicles passed me by because I was waiting to pay 50 Naira (the original fare) instead of 100 Naira that the taxi drivers who had passed charged. If you're in a hurry to get home that late you wouldn't mind  paying their stated fare and be on your way home ASAP. Not that I wasn't in a hurry to get home, I just felt it was unfair. And even though I had 100 Naira to pay I held on to the thought that sane taxi drivers would go past the bus stop I was at. Don't worry I'm not a stingy human. Random guy approaches me from my right hand side and asks where I'm headed and I respond, thinking he was an actual taxi driver. However, noticing that he was a little bit frantic, my mind immediately goes to 'one chance'. He then tells me "I can drop you off", when I didn't respond he asked me "are you scared?" I start showing visible irritation, frown...

Mother taught me to love I learnt not only from her words but her actions She took strangers beneath her warmth Smiled and called them family, no retraction You remind me of mother For I could see in you that ebony, curvy, curly black perfection God truly never made a mistake at creation I wonder if you were ever taunted for it, like she was In a heartbeat I called you sister And so when I stepped into your home I had no need to fear I trusted you like sister to sister Amazed at what you had accomplished I stood in awe of your beauty Perfection seemed to you an ordinary feat. Mother would be truly proud. But something has changed Your eyes no longer shine with love You extend your hand not with care, but rage When you speak about me Your words are filled with disdain Drums that once beat to our unity Have been replaced with disunity I woke up to strange faces looking down at me I could not understand what I had done wrong Woul...

          My tutorial teacher asked a question in class. She asked if any of us (students) would die for our countries. When nobody replied, she went ahead to say that in a class she had tutored earlier that day, a Nigerian had given a passionate speech.  A speech thick with emotion, on how he could die for his country (Nigeria).     All Nigerians in class immediately burst out laughing, I too laughed. The rest of the students had their eyes on us like we were crazy, but we seemed not to care. My tutor was not exempted as she starred at us surprised.     We as Nigerians in the class thought in our minds I’m sure the same thing. Can anyone really die for Nigeria? Of all countries! Some of my classmates (Nigerians) made statements like “am I mad?” “I never die for my mama finish”, my classmate beside me said she can’t even take a slap. But after a while in class I began to ponder, on what it actually meant ...

                                      I heard a blast                       I was shaken                       It couldn't be                       At least not again                        I heard screams                       I saw the flames                       I was mortified                       They were at it again                        O humans                    ...