Hope... A Necessity

Some days ago, children were celebrated all over Nigeria. I vividly remember being a child, in the true sense of the word. I remember a lot of things that happened when I was as little as 3, to the
bewilderment of my parents but some things just couldn't be forgotten. The childhood experience was one i cherished greatly.
Looking back, I've wished for those times over and over, but they
can't return because that would only lead to a retrogression which isn't welcome in my life; not now, not ever.

27th May was a date I looked forward to, because it always had exciting moments. Moments where we felt like everything stood still just for us. In 2003, when I attended Hope Power Nursery school, Eket, we marched on various streets that morning before finally marching to the stadium.  My oh my! You can already imagine how grand such an occasion would be...people running out of their shops and leaving whatever thing they were doing just to come and watch us do our thing, people hailing and cheering us, making us feel exceptional and beautiful. I assure you we were celebrities in our own eyes as we marched in our lines and formations. Everyone looked neat in their well ironed ceremonial uniforms, sparkling white socks and well cleaned shoes, no details were left out.

After the march past, dances and all forms of competitions which took place in the stadium, we returned to school where we were treated to refreshment of soft drinks, biscuits and groundnuts. After the refreshments, it was only normal to see pupils loiter because everyone secretly just never wanted the special moment to end yet. No matter how much we dreamt and wished same, every one of us would end up leaving , school grounds  would be deserted and off to our houses we'd go to realise that nothing has changed. Our fairytale would slowly diminish until we awake to the real world we've always lived in.

What can i say? The Nigerian child is first and foremost any child whose parents are Nigerians. She possesses great qualities like no other; enthusiastic, full of life and hope, without worries (at least none so serious) because mummy and daddy do all the worrying,  determined, strong, hardworking, happy, playful, creative, beautiful, innocent and sweet to be with. Where you see something different from these qualities (like hate and resentment), that would come as a result of the environment she finds herself and circumstances she's faced with; hardships and unpleasant situations like poverty, lack of care and attention from elderly people, child abuse, rejection, neglect. Despite these situations, she should not be allowed to grow with these qualities as she would be filled with hate, anger and resentment towards any and everyone she comes across.

Surprisingly, the Nigerian child is already trained to understand and adapt to some of the rigours of life, to know that life is not a bed of roses and one must work hard because "a lazy man should not eat". I guess you're aware that Nigeria is one of the most optimistic nations and even the Nigerian child knows how to be hopeful even in the midst of difficulties. That's how far the training goes, after all, if you "train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it". 

Seeing we have out grown this stage of childhood, we should be able to impact the Nigerian child we come across. A friend decided to "book a child" on his birthday some days ago. It may seem like nothing to some of us, but it's a great way of reaching out. It comes in little sacrifices you are willing to make: pay attention to her as much as you can, make donations if you can, visit an orphanage and share gift items, talk to and share experiences with a child, visit schools around you, encourage her with a smile and a clap (it can go a long way). Give her reason to believe in herself. The smile on the Nigerian child’s face when someone reaches out is priceless and the joy you'd feel within is indescribable

I'm not so certain how it's done these days, but childhood remains one of the most interesting phases in life. Give them reason to also reflect on their childhood and smile (like you do). Be a source of hope to the Nigerian child! Encourage her to keep the faith! Touch her life in all the ways you can! You just do not know the potency of your efforts...