Connectnigeria Articles

A Point of View invites readers on a journey in search of love, faith and truth. The blog offers posts on books, film, music, love, art, God and other topics and themes that interest Tahirah, a self-described pseudo-intellectual. Complementing the rich fluid prose that often borders on poetry, the layout of the site itself has an appealing and calming effect. Though some may find the font size challenging, the arrangement is uncluttered and navigation is effortless. A Point of View embraces a spirituality that is open and inclusive, celebrating the beauty of Nature and the energy of the Universe in posts like “A Kalima for the Dead”, “Heritage” and “Borneo”. Most of all, again and again this blog prompts us to examine our relationship with Nigeria; the fantasy and the reality. When we say we love our country, are we sure what we mean? For instance, given the rate at which Nigerians long to travel and see sights abroad, it is surprising how few of our own attractions we have explored or plan to visit. The blogger expresses this thought in “Future Perfect”. Here’s an excerpt: “Years ago my best friend went to Yankari Game Reserve. It is nestled between Plateau and Bauchi State. She lived in Kaduna at the time and it wasn’t too far to travel. The trip was a summer holiday gift. When we all gathered back in school for the beginning of the term she and I huddled under our blanket, after lights out and she told me, in that space, illuminated by a battery operated torch, about the reserve. She talked about the hot springs and the animals and the cabin they had lodged at. I have never forgotten it. Back then as she talked about this place it didn’t seem like anywhere that I’d ever go to, only imagine, like a dream.” Yet, can we really blame ourselves? Nigeria is not an easy place to live in, and from Tahirah’s point of view in “Heritage”, our love for our nation is equally as convoluted: “Looking at this fractured country through the prism of all the lost things and broken relationships, all the boys who could not love me back or completely because I was the wrong religion or tribe I see a bigger, more universal contradiction. Love should conquer everything but it very often doesn’t. We stay apart. All my ideals, my heritage, my blood, would I give them up for a greater good, like marriage, like national unity – should I invest in hard reality or the world that can be created?” The closing lines of “Future Perfect” say it all: Patriotism is a funny thing. I think I am patriotic; I love this country. Aspects of other places appeal, but I know I won’t ever feel at home anywhere but here. Is that enough to be classified a patriot? I don’t know. My patriotism is tripartite. About an idealistic future Nigeria, about the beautiful aspects of the present flickering in the darkness that threatens to consume, and the darkness itself, fighting it, thinking of ways to keep it at bay, to keep what little beauty, culture and civility we have left. We have to agree. Check it out! www.avosilver.wordpress.com ConnectNigeria.com…Need it? Search it, Find it!

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This article was first published on 24th October 2013

jehonwa

Joy Ehonwa is an editor and a writer who is passionate about relationships and personal development. She runs Pinpoint Creatives, a proofreading, editing, transcription and ghostwriting service. Email: pinpointcreatives [at] yahoo.com