by Tiwa Adegbuyi

I hate the fact that we don’t embrace our culture. I hate the fact that I see youths going around saying that they can’t wait to leave’ this stupid country’. I hate the fact that people are ashamed to say that they belong to such an amazing place. Mostly I hate the fact that the nation in return, is hardly doing anything to get rid of this horrible mentality.

Nigeria is blessed, and I mean seriously blessed. Like with so many resources and all. Our culture too, there aren’t so many countries with so many ethnic groups, there aren’t many countries who are creative enough to come up with so many different languages.  That’s why we are unique. It should be a privilege to be from this country really, sadly though it is not so.

A typical teenager in Nigeria is always going around talking about ‘this stupid country’. Normally what you would hear is , ‘ I can’t wait to leave this country’ or ‘ I don’t want to live here when I grow older’ or ‘I must study overseas’. Biko, why don’t you wanna live here? Your own place is not comfortable for you; you want to go settle in another man’s land. It’s saddening really.

There is an increasing rate of kids not knowing how to speak their language. This obviously leads to a lack of interest in their culture, but then at times they can’t be blamed, they were not exactly brought up to love to learn to speak their own cultural language. Personally, I don’t think this is right. Yeah, of course English is the nation’s official language, but at the same time one must learn to speak their own mother tongue, it is one of the main things that set us apart. Plus if you can speak English and your native language you don turn bilingual ;).

You can’t entirely blame the youth or teenagers of today though, for the lack of interest in their country. It’s not like much is REALLY being done to arouse it anyway. I mean, if the government does want Nigerians to stop being so pessimistic about the Nigeria, then it is time for serious change. For instance how about we stop importing refined oil and build our own refineries. That thing is baffling o. This country being one of the largest exporters of crude oil, but still complaining about fuel subsidy, mhen, oil is meant to be passed around like water in a country like this as if we are drinking it.

Sometimes you have to love the way Nigeria is though, the hustle and bustle, the jokes that come with living under a Nigerian roof, it’s fun!

To teenagers like me out there, love your country, there’s no place like home (there are better places yeah, but whatever). Learn your language, although it might be harder at this age, but it’s never too late. Have FAITH, this country is going to get better, and stop running away , if every teenager evacuates the country then please who is going to rule when our time comes ? To parents, let your children imbibe the proper Nigerian culture, our beliefs and values really do make us stand out. Why forsake our own language for that of the former colonial masters? To the government, help us and show that there is better to come.

All this right here is my opinion, I am entitled to it so please don’t judge me. Some people take my patriotism at my age to be odd, but oh well, I am Nigerian and proud. Feel free to comment and post your own opinion   . Please o , no haters on here, I’m new to this so spare me.

—————–

Op-Ed Editor