It’s been 54 years of ups, downs, victories, developments, war, seasons, joy and togetherness. It’s that time of the year when our memories get jolted to the fact that we are still here together, smiling every morning and diligently going about our businesses, irrespective of life’s storms.
We cannot deny the fact that we have indeed come a long way, going through things that should have put us into extinction. Alas! Those factors have become our driving force. I love Nigeria!! Yes I do, and the following reasons can justify why I do.
1. Resilience
Nigerians are very resilient people and don’t easily give up. We have been portrayed in a very bad light, getting disapproving looks and attitude, especially internationally. However, it doesn’t stop us from proudly associating ourselves with our Naija.
We are people who see darkness in light (running generators for power supply at a stretch of months, even years) and when PHCN decides to generously give little power supply, we hail “UP NEPA”. Even babies in the womb jump up at the indication of light! (How do I know? Follow your pregnant neighbour to a scan and the baby will tell you). Nigerians are also terrifying risk takers and see a future in everything. We are a strong people; we can survive in any situation and any part of the world and can make fortunes out of little or no opportunity. People are now becoming more enlightened each day and the youth is more hands-on than ever before. I am pretty confident that shortly, this should be a country to be reckoned with.
2. Hospitable/Friendly
Nigerians are very hospitable; this is a fact that cannot be argued. A Nigerian stuck in the middle of the night or having a bad car experience would get instant help from strangers. We wake up and go visiting without trying to contact or place a call to our supposed host, knowing fully well that we are always welcome and won’t be walked out the door, especially when it’s family. My NYSC journey to the north changed my perception. We got to Taraba at 1am and met strangers who automatically turned us into friends. There are such beautiful stories everywhere, (not to say there are no bad people) great and unbeatable hospitality abounds.
3. Religion/Freedom of Worship
Nigerians can pray and fear God; we should be termed the most religious people in the world! The constitution allows for freedom of worship; nobody disturbs or sues anyone for making noise with instruments, clapping or using a public address system to worship at odd hours. There is a church/ mosque in every two block radius and everyone is so ‘churchious’. The recent Ebola outbreak had many people run into churches believing the virus would die when they do. Not to say it’s wrong, (I am an ardent churchgoer and I believe in God) but we can’t find this unique lifestyle elsewhere.
4. Values/ Family Oriented
Nigerians are family oriented people and we have great values for morals and decency despite westernization. Our extended family system still stands strong alongside the nuclear cycle. We don’t send our aging parents to old people’s home then go visit once in three years. No, our aged ones stay with us and we celebrate them! Yes we do! My maternal granny slept at my house a few months ago at 109 years old. Nigerians love and value family and we frown at things that are alien to morals and values.
5. Hardworking/ Optimistic
Nigerians are strong, intelligent, and hard-working people. I sincerely believe that if Nigeria as a country has the essential resources in place for its citizens to explore their talents as western countries do, we’ll be unbeatable because even with little resources and very self-centered leaders, Nigerians have continued to thrive on their own, getting well educated, starting successful businesses and building happy homes. We are very optimistic about the future hence you hear the regular slogan “E go beta”.
6. Culture
With over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, there’s a lot to say about our cultural diversity which speaks for itself. The Nigerian culture has much to say about respecting elders. We’re brought up to respect those older than us. We have great food, mouthwatering dishes, languages, wonderful attire and unique hair styles. (A visit to one of our numerous “Owambes” will convince you) An average Nigerian woman is a sight to behold with an amazing body frame and adorable glowing skin.
7. Great Business Opportunity
Nigeria is the future of the world, increasing attention from foreign economies is positive proof.
There are many economic opportunities, and recent global consulting company reports point to Nigeria and Africa as the future. Nigeria is the land of opportunity, where you can invest in loads of things. There is a mass market of consumers and lots of business opportunities. Our manpower has made foreigners form an alliance with us to promote industries and industrial investment.
8. Good Tax System
The federal government doesn’t impose heavy taxes on the labour force. Nigeria is where you can make good money from businesses with fair tax costs. This encourages foreigners to work in Nigeria, harnessing immensely and investing in an enabling environment like ours to get good returns. In Germany there is dog tax, but you are free here to have as many dogs as you want. A friend in London complained of how she pays car tax for her and her husband’s car to be parked in their home! Such things don’t happen here.
I am really proud to be Nigerian. We are a happy set of people, irrespective of what life throws at us. Nigeria is not all about bribery and corruption, bad leadership, poor infrastructure, armed robbery, unemployment, illiteracy and poor health system. We still have some good things to say about this country. We find a way to be happy, make forests out of trees and create opportunities out of ideas. That is why we are unique that is why we are exceptional, that is why we are Nigeria!!!
PROUDLY NIGERIAN!!!
About the author; Esther Chidinma is an English graduate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and has a diploma in Customer Service and Telemarketing from Telemarketing Diploma Houston Texas. She is a writer, blogger and an ardent reader who has an interest in impacting youth. you can find her on Twitter @chidinmaesther2, and read more of her work at esteepens.wordpress.com.
You might also like:
This article was first published on 2nd October 2014 and updated on October 5th, 2014 at 11:38 am
Comments (2)
It’s been 54 years of ups, downs, victories, developments, war, seasons, joy and togetherness. It’s that time of the year when our memories get jolted to the fact that we are still here together, smiling every morning and diligently going about our businesses, irrespective of life’s storms.
We cannot deny the fact that we have indeed come a long way, going through things that should have put us into extinction. Alas! Those factors have become our driving force. I love Nigeria!! Yes I do, and the following reasons can justify why I do.
1. Resilience
Nigerians are very resilient people and don’t easily give up. We have been portrayed in a very bad light, getting disapproving looks and attitude, especially internationally. However, it doesn’t stop us from proudly associating ourselves with our Naija.
We are people who see darkness in light (running generators for power supply at a stretch of months, even years) and when PHCN decides to generously give little power supply, we hail “UP NEPA”. Even babies in the womb jump up at the indication of light! (How do I know? Follow your pregnant neighbour to a scan and the baby will tell you). Nigerians are also terrifying risk takers and see a future in everything. We are a strong people; we can survive in any situation and any part of the world and can make fortunes out of little or no opportunity. People are now becoming more enlightened each day and the youth is more hands-on than ever before. I am pretty confident that shortly, this should be a country to be reckoned with.
2. Hospitable/Friendly
Nigerians are very hospitable; this is a fact that cannot be argued. A Nigerian stuck in the middle of the night or having a bad car experience would get instant help from strangers. We wake up and go visiting without trying to contact or place a call to our supposed host, knowing fully well that we are always welcome and won’t be walked out the door, especially when it’s family. My NYSC journey to the north changed my perception. We got to Taraba at 1am and met strangers who automatically turned us into friends. There are such beautiful stories everywhere, (not to say there are no bad people) great and unbeatable hospitality abounds.
3. Religion/Freedom of Worship
Nigerians can pray and fear God; we should be termed the most religious people in the world! The constitution allows for freedom of worship; nobody disturbs or sues anyone for making noise with instruments, clapping or using a public address system to worship at odd hours. There is a church/ mosque in every two block radius and everyone is so ‘churchious’. The recent Ebola outbreak had many people run into churches believing the virus would die when they do. Not to say it’s wrong, (I am an ardent churchgoer and I believe in God) but we can’t find this unique lifestyle elsewhere.
4. Values/ Family Oriented
Nigerians are family oriented people and we have great values for morals and decency despite westernization. Our extended family system still stands strong alongside the nuclear cycle. We don’t send our aging parents to old people’s home then go visit once in three years. No, our aged ones stay with us and we celebrate them! Yes we do! My maternal granny slept at my house a few months ago at 109 years old. Nigerians love and value family and we frown at things that are alien to morals and values.
5. Hardworking/ Optimistic
Nigerians are strong, intelligent, and hard-working people. I sincerely believe that if Nigeria as a country has the essential resources in place for its citizens to explore their talents as western countries do, we’ll be unbeatable because even with little resources and very self-centered leaders, Nigerians have continued to thrive on their own, getting well educated, starting successful businesses and building happy homes. We are very optimistic about the future hence you hear the regular slogan “E go beta”.
6. Culture
With over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, there’s a lot to say about our cultural diversity which speaks for itself. The Nigerian culture has much to say about respecting elders. We’re brought up to respect those older than us. We have great food, mouthwatering dishes, languages, wonderful attire and unique hair styles. (A visit to one of our numerous “Owambes” will convince you) An average Nigerian woman is a sight to behold with an amazing body frame and adorable glowing skin.
7. Great Business Opportunity
Nigeria is the future of the world, increasing attention from foreign economies is positive proof.
There are many economic opportunities, and recent global consulting company reports point to Nigeria and Africa as the future. Nigeria is the land of opportunity, where you can invest in loads of things. There is a mass market of consumers and lots of business opportunities. Our manpower has made foreigners form an alliance with us to promote industries and industrial investment.
8. Good Tax System
The federal government doesn’t impose heavy taxes on the labour force. Nigeria is where you can make good money from businesses with fair tax costs. This encourages foreigners to work in Nigeria, harnessing immensely and investing in an enabling environment like ours to get good returns. In Germany there is dog tax, but you are free here to have as many dogs as you want. A friend in London complained of how she pays car tax for her and her husband’s car to be parked in their home! Such things don’t happen here.
I am really proud to be Nigerian. We are a happy set of people, irrespective of what life throws at us. Nigeria is not all about bribery and corruption, bad leadership, poor infrastructure, armed robbery, unemployment, illiteracy and poor health system. We still have some good things to say about this country. We find a way to be happy, make forests out of trees and create opportunities out of ideas. That is why we are unique that is why we are exceptional, that is why we are Nigeria!!!
PROUDLY NIGERIAN!!!
About the author; Esther Chidinma is an English graduate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and has a diploma in Customer Service and Telemarketing from Telemarketing Diploma Houston Texas. She is a writer, blogger and an ardent reader who has an interest in impacting youth. you can find her on Twitter @chidinmaesther2, and read more of her work at esteepens.wordpress.com.
lol funny