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The Public Series: I Am No Saint

I Am No Saint https://nairametrics.com/2021/01/14/nigerias-total-public-debt-rises-to-n32-2-trillion-84-57-billion-as-at-september-2020/ Disgusted by how they acted in public, We advised them privately - devoid of optics. Had to be the bigger person. But should I stay big? Look around. What do you see? If you relish my destruction, do not expect gentle scolds. I am no saint. Some screamed in public view, still no change. Sweet words and soft pokes ushered cages. Had to be the bigger person. But should I stay big? Look around. What do you see? If you plan to be subjective, do not expect me to be objective. I am no saint. By Sylvanus Nabena Twitter: @slynabena

The Public Series: Saving My Mother

Saving My Mother https://freedomhouse.org/country/nigeria/freedom-world/2022 Like a 'fat man' struggling to get out of a stampede, my efforts seem futile But I try - I must because this is my home I am resolute because maybe this next act saves my mother, Like a mad man sailing against the wind, my dedication seams pointless But I care - I care because this is my home I am resolute because maybe this next sacrifice will save our mother. By Sylvanus Nabena Twitter: @slynabena

The Public Series: What Must Be Done

What Must Be Done https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/hands-pointing-corrupt-lying-politician-bad-1880693971 They entered through the back door! But are household names now. Increasingly desperate and restless, To keep what was never theirs. But their facelift has gone wrong. Sweet talk is now gone. I can see through it. I know what must be done. By Sylvanus Nabena Twitter: @slynabena

The Caretaker Series: Let Go - I Will Catch You

Let Go - I Will Catch You https://thenounproject.com/icon/trust-fall-26969/ Trust me - close your eyes, I am right behind you, Let go - I will catch you. … If I don’t get to you on time, You surely wavered, Still, calmez-vouz – 3 2 1. … It is your duty to forget but mine to store, I say, you do, Let go - I will catch you. By Sylvanus Nabena Twitter: @slynabena

The Caretaker Series: I am your god

I am your god https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/explaining-pagan-gods-and-human-idolatry Join me my child, and I will make you rich. Take this snack, smile, don’t twitch. I am your god - my presence is a gift, Dare to peer through, and I will shut the blinds. The path you heard about lead nowhere. I am your god - there is no one better. By Sylvanus Nabena Twitter: @slynabena

The Caretaker Series: Know Your Place

Know Your Place https://pnghut.com/png/g8XRkMzrGP/creative-commons-license-share-alike-attribution-smile-copyright-transparent-png Only my children will keep the power, To transform thorns into flowers. But I have a task for you, Say cheese - smile on cue. You are my poster boy - my pretty face. Have peace and know your place. By Sylvanus Nabena Twitter: @slynabena

No Cover Up, No Photoshop

No Cover Up, No Photoshop She woke up to the metallic taste of the red liquid in her mouth. Head to toe, her body felt sore, damaged, washed-out. Attempts to move attracted tears like unlike poles on a magnet. Unending waterworks that burned as it streamed down to the earth. Tomorrow come, so sorrow goes away. No longer gleeful but consumed by grief. Safety and self-worth now make-believe. Memories shattered by the ever-present souvenir. Scars engraved like tribal marks; spread all over. A piece of her constantly fades away. The heavens, far from calm. She could see hails of thorns. Surely angels are evil. Cos, they hurt just like demons. Pain has morphed her skin harder than the armadillo’s. She has become obsessed to inflicting loss. So, pieces of you and I slowly decay. But what must be today to push sorrow away? Today, to make sure she does not pass away. The way out is not cover-up, not photoshop. The right path is listen, action and f

She Is All We Have

She Is All We Have https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Nigeria She hurts my eyes whenever I look around. Forcing me to close them. Breaks my heart when I listen to friends. Coercing me to cover them. Hunts me down when I speak the truth. Pressing me to shut them. Destroys my hopes with inaction. Pressuring me not to dream. She is a shadow of glory once told. Simpler times of peace and games. Splendour that never was. Maybe a product of make believe. But she is all I have. She is my one true love. She is all I have. Sometimes I wonder, will she gladly trade us for powder? Who really loathes us? Our mother or her caretakers? Custodians who take pleasure in pillaging our silver. Tell me. Who steals food from his or her shelter? Our babies inherit debt but theirs get treasure. They refuse to see hints but I read it crystal clear. I see the ticking time bomb; seven, six, five, four. Still she is all I have. She is my one true love. She is all you have. Our roads

Difference is Only Artificial

Difference is Only Artificial What will I lose from defying stereotype? Will I stop being me if she is valued more? Will my brain shrivel? Or my bones break? With perfect makeup but tense nerves, she struggles to excel. She strongly believes that women must never make errors. The day she slips, she may lose it all. So, fear pushes her on. Plastered smiles all day but rains of tears at night. Her motivation is that it won’t be like this forever. The irony is that she births all but is bound second class. She nurtures all but is relegated on and on. What will you lose from defying stereotype? Will you lose your essence if she has opportunity? Will the heavens rumble? Or the earth quake? She does not want preferential treatments. O no! She only wants the opportunity to contribute, To be, to grow, to shine and to be successful. But everywhere she turns, she is pulled by gravity. One day, maybe, just one day, we will think equity, equality. One day. let’s make that on

HOW – TO AROUND NIGERIA’S COMING ELECTIONS

HOW – TO AROUND NIGERIA’S COMING 2019 ELECTIONS Hey guys, I was asked to discuss the coming elections. But before I get to the elections, I will like to take us back a bit to talk about Nigeria and our democracy. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (now amended), states that “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice... It … declared that: (a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and (c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”. Building on this knowledge, can citizens confidently say that their intentions would naturally shape their leadership in Nigeria? Has Nigeria been experiencing true democracy? Has our form of democracy been dilut

The Ticket to Soar

The Ticket to Soar Photo Credit: https://aviaryrecoverycenter.com/let-it-go/ Blue sky above, grey clouds below, Yet I feel trapped in a place where I do not want to go. Dry sky above, jagged rocks below, I am falling to a place where I do not want to go. How do I break free? How do I grow? How do I transcend this now and glow? Their reflexes have forced us to our knees. Warmth and peace has faded to a place that isn’t is. They lie all day, no sign of going back, Right has rotted to the point of being one - same with left. How do we break free? How do we grow? How do we transcend this now and glow o? Basic things are ignored. They’re losing easy grounds. So, we’re free-falling, sinking to a place of no sensation. Choices must be made; the right action must be taken. So, we know right now, présent we would have done our all and all. How do you break free? How do you grow? How do you transcend this now and glow o o? Let your conscience remain your law,

Now, Wake

Now, Wake Nothing is working. Nothing will ever work. Horrible leaders, they are thieves - no good. Security agencies nko? They worst - nuisance. Catalysing what most of us now know first-hand. Pain. Nested chains of pain, raining hail, doom and gloom. I curse all of them. Let the country just split. At the snap of my fingers, SLEEP! Let go! All you hear from now, believe. Run wild. I agree, we are not yet there. But believe. Stay firm. Just put in your best. And pass the message on. I paint the best cards. I show the real deal. Cos what you see is what will be one day. Now, WAKE! Nothing is working. Nothing will ever work. Na to jewe commot naim be the surest way. No matter what you do gravity go pull you down. Even if you fake the smile, ulcer go hold on tight. Haba abeg start being real and don’t feed me crap. My path has been sealed with undiluted hate. At the snap of my fingers, SLEEP! Let go! Why you forgotten all my words? Rapide. So quick

Perfect Harmony

Perfect Harmony Credit: David Nabena, 2018 Shut your eyes to see. What do you see? Close your ears to listen. What do you hear? Clear your memory to forgive. How do you feel? Now, harness that space to dream. Where are you? Ibo lo wa? I see children building one another, sharing without restrictions, free from false teachings. free from false teachings. I hear birds chirping, singing enchanting songs. melodies too strong to be dulled, sweet tunes of unity, and of hope. I see the sun and the moon in perfect harmony. Shut your eyes to see. What do you see? Lock your ears to listen. What do you hear? Clear your memory to forgive. How do you feel? Now, harness that space to dream. Where are you? Ina ku ke? I hear voices of children playing, no biases, only energy, neutral to class, tribe and religion. neutral to class, tribe and religion. I hear birds chirping,

Long Live Nigeria

Long Live Nigeria Long live Nigeria! Our caretakers provisionally value us. Should we return the favour? They loot our silver to fortify their houses but act like our saviour. O! I dread the day when more death hawk-ers will come to prey. My home was porous yesterday and bleeding profusely today. Long live Nigeria! Today I take responsibility for my fate. I will achieve for me and not delegate. Today I break the routine and close that chapter. No more dopamine from fake laughter. Long live Nigeria! Where is the architect capable of transforming idea to design? I must increase my worth. No one should stall what is mine. I will build myself to convert brilliant plans to reality. I stand tall and proud; aware of my new identity. Long live Nigeria! Today I take responsibility for my fate. I will live for me and not delegate. Today I break the routine and close that chapter. No

Green or Grey Nigeria

Green or Grey Nigeria Photo Credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-tree-growing-old-dead-dying-rotted-tree-image-symbolizes-rebirth-reborn-new-birth-overcoming-obstacles-image68357891 She was once proud, the home of gods and royalty. Now, people under her care depend on charity. If they are not displaced, they live in fear. Conflict up North, robbery down South. Terrorism coated with religious biases, And armed with ethnic prejudices. Who will paint her vibrant green white and green? True peace will not remain an elusive dream. Nightmares will not hunt me if I stay awake. I may be slow but I am far from weak. She has become drier than the Atacama Desert. Water and life only appear as mirages. She has become like quicksand. Struggle and go down faster. Fight the wind at your peril. To your ever-sure doom. Who will paint her vibrant green white and green? Poverty cannot continue to reign supreme. To me, 'dawn' is but minutes away. Alive!