AT 55 NIGERIA LOVES

Salam NIGERIA,

A late night Happy Independence Anniversary to unique citizens of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.

Our freedom is 55 years old.

With every moment, our freedom enables love.

The love Nigeria bears for her patriotic people is encapsuled in our humanity.

Yes, love for Nigeria is evident in the preservation at all times of her values.

Each second one citizen says NO to degrading of a Nigerian, our freedom is secure.

No one’s rights are assured at silence on human rights abuses committed on one’s behalf.

What is the guarantee that the next minute one will not be declared inhuman, therefore, devoid of rights and freedoms?

Whoever does not respect the rights of others no matter the offence will not respect mine, even when I commit no crime.

Whoever approves, stands by or looks the other way at human rights abuses will not come to the rescue the moment I become the recipient of human rights violations.

In order to safeguard my own rights, I fight for the rights of my enemies.

Yes, love of the enemy is farfetched, but should one embrace love of self, one soon recognises the humanity in self.

Why discard that humanity because one seeks to protect Nigeria?

Nigeria rejects such an offer of protection.

Nigeria is for everyone: rich and poor, government official and private citizen, prisoner and free, the living and the dead.

Each deserves to experience Nigeria’s love.

The one and only,
Umm Sulaim