On October 1
st 1960 when we were liberated from the snares and leadership of the colonial master, the drinks were popping, the women were singing, men were drumming and the kids dancing. I never will know where I was back then, but I know that I am somewhere celebrating and dancing to the nice tunes of Ebenezer Obey today.
We are today a country and we are free of any political or physical enslavement. We have come this far and after years of ups and downs that have scarred our being and existence, we are still the giant of Africa called Nigeria.
I grew up to know that birthdays are always special days when drinks will be shared, drums will be rolled, and music too will sound, so why would the birthday of our dear country be an exception? Here are two things I love about Nigeria.
The Nigerian Spirit
I wish one day to see an angel who will convey my message to God, and maybe that day when I see one, I will ask him what special blend of strength, vigour and tenacity He created with this wonderful set of people called Nigerians. My life as a Nigerian till today has been a reflection of the “never give up until the end” power of any average Nigerian.
I grew up as a weak, frail and fearful kid, but I must say that was when I was not old and mature enough to tap into the pool of strength and courage that has always been embedded into the lives and bodies of an average Nigerian. Here I am today, I am no more that frail and weak kid, I’ve understood what it takes to never give up and keep trying, and that, the Nigerian spirit has deposited in me. I am who I am today – strong and fearless.
The power of Naija is one thing I will always be grateful for in my life.
Let’s take a look back- we’ve faced lot of travails, wars, political unrest, mental and emotional pain occasioned by political and economic situations that we’ve had in the past, but we are still Nigeria and the power and strength of Naija in us has taken us this far and it’s a joy we are still one nation and are no more where we were yesterday.
Great People, Great Nation
Some years back, I was watching a TEDx talk by our own Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – a notable writer who has conquered the literary and writing world with her vast and adorable gift for telling stories.
It is not the first TEDx talk I have watched before then, but I can’t help playing the talk several times to listen to every single word she said. I remember a moment of pride and joy which I felt for being a Nigerian.
With the few decades I’ve spent on earth, I’ve lived to know some amazing sets of people who the world is so proud of having as theirs and who are they – they are Nigerians!
There is a saying that prophets are mostly not honoured and celebrated in their hometown. Derek Sivers, the founder of CDBaby.com, the largest music collection and selling website in the world told me that our great Abami Eda – Fela Anikulapo Kuti is one musician that he respects and loves so much. He even recounted the story of how he was happy to be in his Afrika Shrine some years before his demise in Ikeja, and it was on that day that I understood how much many of our legends and icons mean to the outside world.
Derek made me feel proud to be a fellow compatriot of Fela who I had never even given the much due respect he deserved before that day.
My Letter To The Birthday Celebrant
Dear Nigeria,
It’s a thing of joy for me to write you this small piece.
But why?
Because you are a year older today and it calls for joy that you survived yet another year and you have another 365 days of your life ahead.
I know just like everyone, you have stories to tell – I have mine too so I understand that, but before you tell me your stories which I know you have many, I would like to tell you one story.
It’s a small tale my grandma told me when she was alive and I was still a kid.
It’s about a fisherman who went to the river to cast his net, and after several hours of waiting without catching anything, suddenly a sage appears to him and asks him what he is grateful for. He replies, ‘nothing.’ He is asked again, and again he replies ‘nothing’. The sage then tells him that until he is grateful for something, he won’t have anything to take home to his almost starving family. The sage reminds him that the fish he is waiting to catch in the river are all grateful to God, and that’s why he is protecting them from his net.
Upon hearing this, he jumped up and kept thanking God, declaring that he would have a full net soon, and that was just the magic he needed to have a full net to his uttermost amazement and joy.
I’m telling you this story to remind you to be grateful for where you are today and for how far you have come, because that gratitude is enough to take you to where you want to go tomorrow.
Most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your wins – life is too short to never celebrate your wins.
Keep the Nigerian spirit burning and happy birthday to you.
Yours truly,
Mayowa Ajisafe
About the author: Mayowa Ajisafe is an author, social media consultant and the host and producer of
Doing It Big Show– a weekly online podcast show where he interviews Nigeria Entrepreneurial and Business Mavens who are doing it big in life and in their career to share their lessons, stories and experience with Nigerians. Join him on
weekly episodes of Doing It Big Show to learn how to live the life and create the business you want from these mavens.
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This article was first published on 30th September 2014
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On October 1st 1960 when we were liberated from the snares and leadership of the colonial master, the drinks were popping, the women were singing, men were drumming and the kids dancing. I never will know where I was back then, but I know that I am somewhere celebrating and dancing to the nice tunes of Ebenezer Obey today.
We are today a country and we are free of any political or physical enslavement. We have come this far and after years of ups and downs that have scarred our being and existence, we are still the giant of Africa called Nigeria.
I grew up to know that birthdays are always special days when drinks will be shared, drums will be rolled, and music too will sound, so why would the birthday of our dear country be an exception? Here are two things I love about Nigeria.
The Nigerian Spirit
I wish one day to see an angel who will convey my message to God, and maybe that day when I see one, I will ask him what special blend of strength, vigour and tenacity He created with this wonderful set of people called Nigerians. My life as a Nigerian till today has been a reflection of the “never give up until the end” power of any average Nigerian.
I grew up as a weak, frail and fearful kid, but I must say that was when I was not old and mature enough to tap into the pool of strength and courage that has always been embedded into the lives and bodies of an average Nigerian. Here I am today, I am no more that frail and weak kid, I’ve understood what it takes to never give up and keep trying, and that, the Nigerian spirit has deposited in me. I am who I am today – strong and fearless.
The power of Naija is one thing I will always be grateful for in my life.
Let’s take a look back- we’ve faced lot of travails, wars, political unrest, mental and emotional pain occasioned by political and economic situations that we’ve had in the past, but we are still Nigeria and the power and strength of Naija in us has taken us this far and it’s a joy we are still one nation and are no more where we were yesterday.
Great People, Great Nation
Some years back, I was watching a TEDx talk by our own Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – a notable writer who has conquered the literary and writing world with her vast and adorable gift for telling stories.
It is not the first TEDx talk I have watched before then, but I can’t help playing the talk several times to listen to every single word she said. I remember a moment of pride and joy which I felt for being a Nigerian.
With the few decades I’ve spent on earth, I’ve lived to know some amazing sets of people who the world is so proud of having as theirs and who are they – they are Nigerians!
There is a saying that prophets are mostly not honoured and celebrated in their hometown. Derek Sivers, the founder of CDBaby.com, the largest music collection and selling website in the world told me that our great Abami Eda – Fela Anikulapo Kuti is one musician that he respects and loves so much. He even recounted the story of how he was happy to be in his Afrika Shrine some years before his demise in Ikeja, and it was on that day that I understood how much many of our legends and icons mean to the outside world.
Derek made me feel proud to be a fellow compatriot of Fela who I had never even given the much due respect he deserved before that day.
My Letter To The Birthday Celebrant
Dear Nigeria,
It’s a thing of joy for me to write you this small piece.
But why?
Because you are a year older today and it calls for joy that you survived yet another year and you have another 365 days of your life ahead.
I know just like everyone, you have stories to tell – I have mine too so I understand that, but before you tell me your stories which I know you have many, I would like to tell you one story.
It’s a small tale my grandma told me when she was alive and I was still a kid.
It’s about a fisherman who went to the river to cast his net, and after several hours of waiting without catching anything, suddenly a sage appears to him and asks him what he is grateful for. He replies, ‘nothing.’ He is asked again, and again he replies ‘nothing’. The sage then tells him that until he is grateful for something, he won’t have anything to take home to his almost starving family. The sage reminds him that the fish he is waiting to catch in the river are all grateful to God, and that’s why he is protecting them from his net.
Upon hearing this, he jumped up and kept thanking God, declaring that he would have a full net soon, and that was just the magic he needed to have a full net to his uttermost amazement and joy.
I’m telling you this story to remind you to be grateful for where you are today and for how far you have come, because that gratitude is enough to take you to where you want to go tomorrow.
Most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your wins – life is too short to never celebrate your wins.
Keep the Nigerian spirit burning and happy birthday to you.
Yours truly,
Mayowa Ajisafe
About the author: Mayowa Ajisafe is an author, social media consultant and the host and producer of Doing It Big Show– a weekly online podcast show where he interviews Nigeria Entrepreneurial and Business Mavens who are doing it big in life and in their career to share their lessons, stories and experience with Nigerians. Join him on weekly episodes of Doing It Big Show to learn how to live the life and create the business you want from these mavens.
