Several times I ask myself
Tell me: what exactly are you doing here?
Most times, I find an answer
“To get an education, of course”
In no time, I get queried yet again,
Tell me: “for how long?”
How long will I stand attention to another’s anthem
How long will I salute their flag
How long will I pay homage to their heroes
How long will I sit back and watch my land called - “jungle”
How long will I listen to my people called - “barbarians”
How long?
The truth of the matter is:
“As long as I choose”
As long as I choose to be an alien
As long as I struggle for their citizenship
As long as I accept their education
As long as I dine at their tables
As longs as I'm detached from cares of my people
Yeah, that long
But I pledge to Nigeria my country:
That whenever it is,
It shall not be too long
That whatever I do,
I shall not deny my descendants - life in the motherland
I shall not hide my identity
I shall stand firm for what I believe
That there is HOPE for Nigeria
I shall pride in my heritage
The legacy of my fathers shall live on
The pain of my people shall break my heart
And my heart shall leap for their joy
I hereby charge the young in years and at heart
Do not give up on the land of your fathers
The future may be bleak
And I can't promise a brighter one
But let everyone to himself ask:
“In what little way can I make this a better place?”
Let every youth in his heart will:
To make a difference, to dare to dream
Not to wake and forget, but to live for its fulfillment
To kindle in his heart, the flame of change
And when dawn is come,
And the mantle is passed on
The giant of Africa shall rise again
In splendor and might,
The envy of nations
The pride of Africa
She shall stand
Never, ever, to fall again
© Fisayo Fadelu - June 2003
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