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Taking the place of the nation’s conscience, rapper and lyricist, Modenine gently peels off the face of our nation’s festering wounds, in his new single, My Country. More than this, the track rings true about our collective apathy towards national healing—our ‘barbershop discussions’ that should be National Assembly deliberations—being the reason why suffering in our land continues to worsen decade in, decade out. Fela cried about it in the 70s and early 80s. Sunny Okosun, Ras Kimono and Majek Fashek all tried to fill Abami Eda’s shoes in the late 80s, 90s and early 2000s but Modenine’s My Country does justice to the way out of Nigeria’s perennial comatose: If we want to see a brighter day, only us can make our way. It is time for us to face reality. There are no leaders anywhere. We are the leaders. We must become possessive of our country. If we don’t have electricity, it is on us. If part of our country is unsafe, it is on us. We must ask why because we have the funds. More electricity is produced in Cape Town than the whole of Nigeria as at today, why?  A drone surveillance programme to monitor the Fulani herdsmen that have been unleashing all sorts of violence on their host communities could have been put in place, why hasn’t it? Nigeria is my country. And my resolve from this track must be that it will no longer go to ruin. This is one wake-up-call song that should be getting a lot of airplay on the radio, and I sincerely wish more artists will follow in Modenine’s steps. Big ups Modenine! Nigeria, My Country!
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This article was first published on 10th April 2016

nehijesu

Nehikhare Omotayo Igbinijesu is an Economist, Poet, and Social Entrepreneur. 'He is the author of The Code: A Simple Story About Raising Great Women' and 'Marriage: 12 Questions You Need To Ask Before You Say, “I Do”'. He lives in Lagos with his wife, Akudo and two sons. He is Co-founder of Stuffsilos.com, a motivational resources company based in Lagos. You can email him via nehijesu [at] yahoo.co.uk

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