However, The title “giant of Africa” is a very distinguished one to be given any country on the African continent, the reputation of this title has made Nigerians and non-Nigerians uniform wonder what it is about Nigeria that makes her the Giant of Africa.
why i love niaja my country
Our outlook on marriage is another reason why I love my country. If you are a Nigerian woman and your husband has not paid your bride price, he is just borrowing you for free. When we marry, it is the joining of two families. Whereas abroad, you have no fault divorce that you can obtain in less than 21 days, a Nigeria man that wants to divorce his wife may hear his elder brother (or uncle) say something like, “na our wife O!. Na me marry am 4 u. We no go ask them to return any bride price, Na do or die O!”
Nigerians have an uncanning resilience that is rare among other nationalities. We are very adaptable. How else do you explain that we have adjusted to the fuel price, along with the other price hike? In fact, I am bold enough to change the expression of “Warri no dey carry last” to “Naija no dey carry last.”
I want to tell you that one other reason I love my country is because of our women. It is only a Nigerian woman that can have five children (& still want more), be married to a difficult man, cook his meal, wash & iron his clothes, and still get to church 4 times a week and praise God alone for all that “blessings.” The husband probably is sitting at home or may even drop her and the children off at church. Have you seen a Nigerian woman getting dressed and tying her “gele” (head gear – forget the spelling). I am lovingly amazed when I watch my wife getting dressed. Only a Nigerian woman can kneel down before her mother-in-law and apologize, even when she has done nothing wrong. That will not happen in the west. It is also a Nigerian woman that will bear the blame for childlessness (I hate the phrase barrenness) even though the husband may be shooting blanks or fails to provide the chromosome (XY) for the invaluable male child. What about the fact the ugliest Nigerian woman can still make shakara for any man and put him in his place. If you are reading this and your wife, mother, sister or daughter is alive, give them a high five. This is to all my Naija women.
Finally, whether you like it or not, Naija b Naija. You are still green white green. Even if you naturalize, that name will give you away. In fact, with all the fone, your accent is still lurking underneath. You may eat all the jerk chicken or Italian Fra Diablo you want, but that craving for jollof rice, amala, akpu or nsala will still hit you, albeit once in a while. The variety of our food is worth loving.
You may have your own reasons why you love your country. Whatever it is (they are), hold on to it. You will need it in times of trouble
