Let's talk about the people of Nigeria.

<img alt="" src="/media/inline_insight_image/1000104201.jpg"/> Nigeria, a country blessed with people of different minds; people of different cultures, people of different styles, people of different origins and opinions. Let's talk about the people of Nigeria. No, I don't mean the president, senators, and ministers. Let's talk about the workers struggling to stay afloat; the parents struggling to make ends meet. Let's talk about the youths that have no jobs and so have to turn to ungodly means to survive. Let's talk about the people of Nigeria. Let's talk about the people whose lives have been cut short because of lack of resources in hospitals; the young children who are being abused and/or killed in the name of discipline; the young women who have been fooled, used, and killed all in the name of 'love' and 'boyfriend'; the young men who have turned to internet fraud (Yahoo) and ritual killing all because of the greed for money and, as they say, 'making it.' Yes, let's talk about the people of Nigeria. Nigeria is the giant of Africa, but the people—they are the heartbeat of the giant. From the North's cultural diversity to the South's festival and arts; we are tribes and tongues that rise, not sink. Yoruba's proverbs, Igbo's resilience, Hausa's strength, Tiv's industrialization—and so much more! Yet Nigeria bleeds, not from the sword of strangers but we—the people of Nigeria—sharpen our blades and cut the roots we've grown. Yes, let's talk about the people of Nigeria. We blame the system yet slip bribes into palms; we curse the leaders but it's us who sold our votes. We preach unity but tribal tongues tear the thread; we sing of peace but the moment we turn our backs, we plot each other's downfall. We litter streets with plastics and pride; yet wonder why the gutters flow with dirt and our children die. We worship wealth no matter its source; even if it's built on the blood, sweat, and tears of innocents. Yes, let's talk about the people of Nigeria. We skip the lines, cheat the test, then cry when justice takes place. Look at the mirror! No, we can't because the truth stares back. We are not just victims; we are the cracks—the problem. Believe when I say: '𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑩𝑳𝑬𝑴 𝑶𝑭 𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑨 𝑰𝑺 𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑺 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝐇𝐄 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐌 𝑶𝐅 𝑵𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝑵𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐴.' But still, this is not the time to mourn; this is a time of reckoning— a call to rise—not just with words but with our actions. For if we built this country with our hands, we can rebuild it. Nigeria is not dead; she waits for you; she waits for us—the people of Nigeria.

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