Nigerian American Girl?

I came across the news that the Nigerian Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili, has condemned the use of the word 'Naija' in the place of 'Nigeria' two days ago. I wasn't sure it was true until I went back today to search for it on the internet, which confirmed it.

I'm like, "What?" Wahala dey o. I mean, I the whole thing is silly. I respect Mrs. Dora Akunyili. That's Dr. Professor Dora Akunyili to be exact. (You know Naija people and their titles. Lol). From a project I've been working on for a while, I know that she has done a lot for the country. She has helped remove a lot of fake drugs from the market. She also spoke out at a critical time earlier this year. Her words were instrumental in the peaceful continuation of power in Nigeria, when Goodluck Jonathan took the presidential seat instead of a military takeover. But COME ON! Really now.........?

As a Nigerian born in the United States,  I see the word Naija as a cool way to refer to the country and it's people. There's nothing negative about it. But apparently, Dr. Professor knows better than me and all the people who use the word. Just read this article on the matter. But my question is, how can you tell people what to call themselves?

In a country where so many things are going wrong, the government should be happy that people can still find something to feel good about: a name coined by only-God-knows-who, but that cuts across ethnicities and status. She's afraid that this 'corrupt' verison of Nigeria is unpatriotic. "We have to stop this word because it is catching up with the young," Prof. Akunyili said, according to the article. Catching up??? Hahahahaha.... It has spread profusely. Even for America, self, I dey take and begin to use am. I am the  

Naija American Girl

and that will never change.

Abeg, the woman should sit down for there and try to find a real problem to solve, not an imagined one. Or maybe because Nigeria's problems are so great she decided to settle for a smaller task. But I'm not feelin' it.

That's what I think of the supposed condemnation of 'Naija.' Abeg o.

2010 ain't over yet

The leaves have fallen from the trees, the radio stations are playing Christmas music, and I've taken to tea drinking: the end of the year is upon us! As I sat at a restaurant after church today with some friends, I listened as they marveled about how fast 2010 has gone by. The year really has flown by. I can clearly picture this time last year and I remember everything that happened..... but the year's not over yet! Before this year is out I want to:

Visit my cousin in Ohio

Go shopping to augment my wardrobe

Type all of my hand-written poems

See a play

 Go ice skating

Have more friends visit my church

Read a good book

Bake cookies

Get together with my three friends from high school

All things I've done before (except ice skating). Just small simple stuff that will create nice memories and happy feelings. Lol. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's festivities automatically come with this time of year, so they're not on the list..... What do YOU want to do before the year is out?

I said 'I wanna go to Naija," my mom says, "No, no, no" ...... Lol.

When I graduate in December, I'll have about two months to entertain myself before I start my new school.  I'll still have my part-time job, but other than that, I'll be free. Thinking about this fact, a novel idea surfaced: Why don't I go to Nigeria? I mean, as a Naija American Girl I don't  think it's right that I haven't been  to Naija since I was about..... ooooooohhhhh............... 6 YEARS OLD!!! I am now 22.

That's me in the neon jumpsuit. (I have my mother to thank for the ridiculous get-up. But it was in style then, I guess???? lol) I'm there with my dad and my cousins. Check the date in the bottom right corner. Yep, it's legit. Over 16 years ago.

Money's been the main reason why my family hasn't visited as often as we should, though my dad has been back more often than all of us. My parents send home money frequently though. So I was thinking, why don't I go back and visit my family? See my grandparents while they're still alive. See my uncles, aunties and cousins. Get more familiar with a country I claim to care about.......Sounded like a good idea to me.

After thinking about it for a few weeks, I brought up to my mom. She was like, "I don't know o.... It's dangerous...." Then she started talking about how my dad's family lives in the east and that people are always getting kidnapped there, and armed robbers, and though her family lives in Lagos, my dad's family won't be happy if I don't visit them, but that if I go, I should fly to the east and not go by road because there's a high chance that armed robbers will strike and that when people see armed robbers on the road they jump out of their buses and cars and run into the bush, and on and On and ON! My mom even said that she would only go back home now in the case of an emergency. She told me to wait. I'm thinking, wait until when?

The thing with me is that once I've decided that I want to do something, it's just a matter of time; more of 'when' than 'if''.

I've been trying to plan a trip to Naija for the longest time, it seems. In my discussions with my dad, he's basically said OK, though I could still detect worry in his face. That's how it generally is with my parents. My dad really gives me room to try new things and get new experiences, even if the circumstances are a little uncertain. My mom, on the other hand, thinks of all the things that could go wrong and comes up with a long list of why I shouldn't do whatever it is. She did the same thing when I told her I planned to go to Haiti. I this area, I tend to be more like my dad.

So right now the question for me isn't "Should I go to Nigeria?" It's "How can I get the money for the ticket?" My action plan is going to be to save as much as I can (after I pay some outstanding *cough* obligations *cough*). Maybe my dad can supplement the rest.... It's long overdue.

I'm not thinking of winging it or anything. I plan to take plenty of safety precautions and stay close to those I know. Of course I'll make sure to do losts of praying and fasting, like my mom suggested (lol). But in the end I do believe that the good Lord will allow me to go and come back in one piece.

And the beat goes on...

Just when I was getting ready to throw my hands up in the air and scream, "I'M DONE!!!" when I graduate in December, I've come upon other plans............. I'm continuing with school! I didn't think I'd do it, but I found an opportunity that I think is really worth it.

In December I'll graduate with my bachelor's in journalism. That's all well and fine. But I don't have a lot of the skills I want. Skills that I feel would really take me to the next level. I think I've gotten the basics of writing, but in today's world of journalism, you need more than that. So I'll be attending Specs Howard School of Media Arts when I graduate. I'm going to learn video production and editing, graphic design, and website design. Really cool stuff. If you can't tell already.....I'm excited!!!! The school is a hands-on kind of place and that's what I need. Theories and postulations annoy me. Give me some real life dealings!!! Lol.... The program is only one year, so I know that it will go by really fast.

P.S., I really, really, really love my friend Adora, who helped me figure out why I couldn't post pictures for a while.....I was in HTML mode!!! I guess Blogger switched the default up on me!  It's really the little things that mean something to me. A piece of candy. A phone call to say hello. A funny Facebook comment. Helping me figure out my blogging frustrations. Yeah.................. :) Thanks Adora!

Me and my awesome friend Adora!

Feeling Poetic

Today, for no apparent reason I'm feeling rather poetic. Maybe it's cause I just got out of my psychology class, where today's topic had to do with differences between males and females, sexually, emotionally, mentally and otherwise. That got me thinking about relationships...then love...which got me thinking about poetry because so many people write love poems...... But I usually don't. Lol. Anyways, here's a little somethin' somethin' that came to me.


The tide is turning,
a fire is burning,
it's getting hot
and pride is learning -
To give it up
and trust again,
If only I'd find
my long lost friend.

Games grow old
and I am told
that in good time
all things unfold;
the only question now is, "when?"
this long and drawn-out match will end.

Chidinma Ogbuaku 2010

Sumo Wrestling in Nigeria?

I was on the Africa section of CNN.com, a subsection of their World section, when I found this story. At first glance at the title I thought it was just speculation, but once I clicked on it I found out it was real: Sumo wrestling in Nigeria.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/15/nigeria.sumo.wrestling/index.html

(For some reason I'm not able to post pictures or link a few words to another page at this time)

Anyways, what do you think? Sumo in Naija? Lol......

Naija people dey shine

Good day to ya! I haven't written since Nigeria's Independence Day, but I trust that all the Naija people out there had a lovely one. Frustration set upon me that morning as the video message I made refused to upload before I had to leave the house. My day was so busy that I never got a chance to do it, and to me, uploading the video a day late woulda been kind of tacky. October 1 na Independence Day. I no fit load am for October 2 and come with one kin tori. Lol.

Anyways, that day the Naija students at my school held a celebration for Nigeria's 50th Independence. It was a really great event (click here for pictures). My dance group, Igbo Cultural Dancers danced and a local Naija hip hop group, Darkshades Entertainment, rocked the house. We also showed a mini video of the country's history and had a game of Jepoardy, among other things. We had quite a few Americans and other non-Naija people at the event, so it was pretty cool.

I'm really developing a love for sharing Nigerian culture (the little that I know) with non-Nigerians. Almost three weeks ago the we danced at an event held by a group called the Afrikan Village. Most of the members in the group are black Americans who are interested in African culture. They loved our dance, and it was our first paid event! (Woo hoo!!!). On the 22nd of this month we'll be dancing in an American play. I'm really excited. :)

We can shine a positive light on Nigeria (and her descendants) by being positive examples of excellence wherever we go. Many around the world see Nigeria as a country of scammers and terrorists, plauged with poverty and instability. But when those of us who are working hard to reach positive goals stand up and be counted as Nigerians, the country can be associated with better things. My Naija people: we must to dey shine. You never know who's watching.

A friend of mine shared this story, 10 Things You Can Learn From A Nigerian, from the Atlanta Post on Facebook. Just goes to show my point. Naija people dey shine. :)

I leave you with this. Hot, ain't it?