He always despised the dreary tempo of the National anthem. Yet there it was, blaring from the black and white TV set in the sitting room. He had grown accustomed to the soothing flute instrumental his father played early every morning. The sweet melody always filled him with ecstasy.  However, this morning was different. He … Continue reading The Coming Of Age →

1st October, 1999. INDEPENDENCE DAY As a child this was the day I always looked forward to, and why? Not like I knew particularly what was going on but it was a holiday, a day that I do not go to school. That day unlike every other public holidays, after having done my house chores, … Continue reading In My Reverie… →

I wore a neatly tailored grey skirt suit but I was still one of the few odd people in the hall. The wedding invite was explicit on the dress code - a touch of blue for the groom and pink for the bride. I wasn’t in the mood to stick to such rules. I shouldn’t … Continue reading Breaking free →

A young adult discovers patriotism on the pages of his journal.

Everyone had come from far and wide, grandchildren, children, brothers, sisters and some others whose relationship I could not define. Year fifty was no number anyone could discard because it meant ten years to another Nigerian milestone. The streets beamed wealth, prosperity and care. Nigerian states had been consistently ranked as richer than even some … Continue reading Nigeria By 2050 →

by Henry C. Onyema It was Saturday, October 1 1960. Corporal Lami fixed a bleak gaze on the calendar on the wall opposite his bed. Sorrow soaked his heart. He glared at the picture of Queen Elizabeth that took up the first half of the calendar. The young monarch’s smile mocked him. He reined in … Continue reading Trumpeter on independence day →

“Congratulations! You’ve just won two million Naira”. Those were the exact words of Frank Edoho to me on the Independence Edition of the TV show ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ held on Friday, 30th September 2005.My joy knew no bounds; this was a dream come true. A teenage millionaire! The following morning, I left … Continue reading The Lasting First →

By Sylva Nze Ifedigbo The distant siren tells you the governor is finally on his way. You don’t have a wrist watch so you are not sure what the time is. But you can guess it is almost noon. The sun is now directly overhead. The tarmac on which you sat is hot. Suddenly there … Continue reading The Parade →

Nervously, Angela wrapped in a Louis Vuitton bathrobe, stepped out of the bathroom. The distant drone of the TV filtered into her eardrums as she entered her bedroom. She nodded towards the man seated at the edge of the bed. Leaving wet footprints on the crème Oriental rug, she walked to the cosmetics table.  “…have … Continue reading Caught →

‘Put your left foot out and pause for a second’ Taiwo said  to her fellow dancers ‘Then bend your hips and swing it up and down four times and fast. Your hands should be kept like you are playing a drum and there must always be a smile on your face’ They were practicing their … Continue reading The Dance →

On my way to the biggest celebration Africa has ever seen and my flight has been delayed, why oh why? I can almost taste it! Oh I forgot to add, I know two of the chefs catering, all graduates of the culinary arts institute, no not CIA!  But I believe they wield more power and … Continue reading Party Hats And Cake Optimus →

We always look forward to see the reality of our dreams…dreams of liberty, success, love…such was the day Nigeria seceded from Great Britain and became an Independence Nation.
You need to read this and kindly drop your comments, let me know how you feel about this piece of expression.