THE JOURNEY SO FAR AND THE AUDACITY OF HOPE

Nigeria, Africa’s young and voluptuous daughter—she has come a long way from colonialism to self-governance. Nigeria, our gorgeous and sumptuous mother—she has weathered through the storms of a bloody civil war that banished countless of her offspring to their early graves. Nigeria, the angel with honey lips and apple breath—untold times, she was denuded of dignity by ethnic reveries and religious conflicts that left her landscapes dotted with  incinerated houses and unclaimed cadavers. Beautiful Nigeria…robustly proportioned daughter of Africa, for decades she was trampled underfoot by junta Satanism; yet, this epitome of beauty lives. Delectable Nigeria, sweet spoken daughter of time—times without number she waded through turbulent waters of terrorism—Boko’ monstrosity...our streets are fraught with death; yet, her nose still kiss the skies. Even when deception and distrust held some of her offspring captive, causing them to be exceptionally paranoid, hence, poised at wrecking havoc; yet, like morning dew on a meadow she remained unperturbed.
Despite the sagging economy…the lingering insurgency, we dare hope for a peaceful and wealthy nation; we dare anticipate! We dare dream of  a nation free from the shackles of religious extremism, we dare  hope for a peaceful coexistence amongst the many tongues that make up this great nation—we dare hope to once again see cocoa and groundnut pyramids  tower in into the blues skies and dwarf inflation, hunger, penury—the offspring of a depressed economy; we DARE anticipate this! 
Hope, though frail she may seem in the face of depression, yet, over the years hope has proved she’s stronger than the shackles of slavery; she is superior to the authority of apartheid.  Hope is more cerebral than Ebola, Laser fever and their entire cohort… the AUDACITY of Hope! 
Hope dictates that we keep the faith—anchor in the Lord our God  through Christ Jesus, for He only can bring about that desired change; Hope says: “soonest, the sweet songs of abundance would be song in unity by every man and  child of our multi-cultural Nigeria—we have the NERVE to dream this! 
Sweet Nigeria—daughter of God Most High, despite all the daunting odds, she remain strong and free. Still beautiful…still ravishing: she’s wooed by the constellations! Her offspring still break the kola nut of unity, and palm wine they drink from the calabash of harmony. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding ever abide with you dear sky flower—pride of Africa. We love you!!! 
Isaiah 7 verse 9 says “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Hence, firmly in faith we stand for the peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria!.

May God the Creator of HOPE and NIGERIA, BLESS the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!! 
Happy Independence Day!!!




Etim Ekpenyong Mfon