*WHAT DOES THIS PORTEND?*
The women in my church just had a very great outing at their Annual Sisters' Convention this last Sunday. You can always trust women to step out with pomp and pageantry display when the occasion calls for it. Nigerian women especially with their 'owanbe' mentality cannot be ignored when it comes to this type of an affair. They truly painted the sky blue and doused the atmosphere with palpable excitement and enthusiasm.
I really wish we could do this more often. I saw genuine happiness and display of camaraderie amongst the women. Previously sullen, long faces gave way to a bubbly, happy demeanour; largely withdrawn ladies stepped out also to be counted. The women danced and jubilated as though there was a promise to award the best dancer of the day. The ones who had challenges with their legs or hips surprised themselves, only to realise that they will pay the price for daring to do the unthinkable.
In the midst of all the festivity, rhapsodic atmosphere of jubilation and ululation, there was a sad twist that gave me so much concern. And how I wish I have the power to resolve it with the snap of my fingers. In the midst of all of the above described, I saw a group of women who courageously sought to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them to loosen up and shroud what they are really going through with optimism and hope that what lies ahead is truly promising. Many of them embraced the moment regardless of what they might be going through. This to them was an opportunity too good to miss.
As I evaluate the interesting contrast before me, the only thing I could feel was not pity but praise for these warriors who braced the daunting challenges around them to still make space for joy and happiness.
The country is really tough! There's no gainsaying that at all. How people are surviving to make ends meet in this travailing economy remains a mystery to me (I am also included in this mysterious calculation). I have asked myself how people who earn certain amount of income on a monthly basis, with a sizeable family, survive the economic burden we have been saddled. How do they do it? Truly, there must be a Nigerian spirit that defies logic and commonsensical analysis! We are just a special breed!
Part of the programme included a Medical Outreach. That's where I got the shocker of all - over 90% of the people tested (men and women) had a medical challenge or the other! The most prevalent being high blood pressure!
When you interview any one of them, they tell you the stress the economy is giving them is much. This country, everything she stands for, has become multi-dimensional stressors! Many Nigerians are sick, and a lot of the sickness stem from economic travails. My question and concern therefore as I drop my pen today is, what does this portend for us as a people and for Nigeria as a nation?
*© Emmanuel Obu*
November 15, 2023
*_Emmanuel Obu is a clergy and a brands and communications strategist based in Lagos. He is the Chief Design Officer at Design Turf Limited - an innovative and ideas agency with a design thinking outlook._*
Tough question, all we have at this juncture is hope. The reality isn't encouraging to say the least, but I'm optimistic the days of evil are gradually coming to an end, the people are asking more questions now than they have ever asked, putting the leaders on their toes. We need to step up and take what is rightfully ours(The country)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, we have a system that runs corruption on autopilot, even a good man will be influenced. If you can't beat them they say... reason changing the system starting from the constitution will be pivotal to the Nigeria we seek. Until then, even a good man will be drown trying to establish decent governance.
ReplyDeleteApt commentary. I have also wondered how I survive. However, from a Biblical perspective, God has always made a way out for His people in difficult times as we are now. We just finished a series on 'surviving austere times' in church and it was really eye-opening. While we charge our leaders to be dutiful and do all they can to reverse this trend, we must be ensure that our confidence remains in God.
ReplyDeleteI wonder too o pastor how people are surviving but I know that The Almighty God has always made a way, to say the Nigerian situation is worrisome would be an understatement however I am conscious about giving voice to the very apparent struggles we face as a people so I do not confess the negatives starring us in the face but I take comfort in the fact that God is more than able to take care of his own, we serve a good good father who will always show up for us. It is well with Nigeria, this too I pray will come to pass.
ReplyDeleteThank God for occasions like that - Women convention, a little happiness alleviates the burdens of sorrow and bitterness; and thank God for the church, the church has been a major source of succor, not only to the people but also to the nation. I recommend more joyful moments like such sir 😂
ReplyDeleteThank God for occasions like that - Women convention, a little happiness alleviates the burdens of sorrow and bitterness; and thank God for the church, the church has been a major source of succor, not only to the people but also to the nation. I recommend more joyful moments like such sir 😂
ReplyDeleteE. A. Adebayo