Like Naeto C you know my P/my persona is laid back see/
Posted by trae_z on April 12th, 2008
I came back last week from a six day “working tour” of Mubi in Adamawa state and was only finally able to finish up Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a yellow sun” on my journey back! In summary I think it’s a great book, with an A plus writing, entertainment and educative value. To me it was a mighty step up of Chimamanda’s craft from mid-level champ to big stage conqueror; much respect woman! The only side effect was that the book brought out the Biafran in me. But now that the novelty has since worn off I’m happy to reiterate that I’m proudly Nigerian.
While on the topic of “Half of a yellow sun” have you realized that It’s only “the marginalized” that vent and feel a bond to communalize…be closely knitted. I’m talking about my Igbo people (Igbo Town Development/Improvement Unions), the Blacks in America (pro black brotherhood this and that) and our Women (feminist and women empowerment movement) etc; intriguing…
My Mubi sojourn was my first visit up north/to the core north, and I’m happy to say the stereotype I was working with about the North being backward but yet still getting the better deal out of Nigeria has been countered to a large extent. We’re all smiling (the human spirit in them is alive) or suffering (the roads in and around Mubi are fucked, the poor live amongst them) when need be as Nigerians together. Though I admit they’re still generally silent in scheme of things like entertainment, media and ICT. The trip afforded me my first opportunity to attend an Islamic wedding. Some top shot got married to his fourth wife to fulfill all social status and identifying with the indigenes righteousness/obligations. Uhm, Intriguing…
By the way my birthday’s less than a week away. 17th, a quarter of a century Traeday thing. But it’s no biggie really; I’m saving the funfair until “the call or sms” comes through.
Alhamdulillah…All praise belongs to Allah…Thank you Allah.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I dont mean any disrespect, but I think wat u saw was a facade of the real Northern guys.
Yea there’s the poor among them too, but it doesn’t change much. They’re handled wit care by the government becoz it’s believed they’ve mo tendencies to start up chaos - and they do.
Finally, I’m a Nigerian - cant changeg that - but about being a proud one, hmmm…
Black and proud works betta 4 me than narrowing it down to the bitter truth, Nigeria.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Ol’boy, congrats on ur upward climd on the ladder of the employed. Wish u all the best that life’s got to offer. Looking forward to the big one (and the shaks, man). And, good thing, my birthday is only two days before urs (15th). Helep me thank Baba God. E no easy.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:59 am
@ nuel, a façade? damn you mean they actually behaved that way just cos trae was hopping in to say hi?
most Nigerian should actually leave their base to see other parts of nigeria, and experience something not just what you read or perceive its better to experience it, not saying anything good or bad but having first hand experience is good!
lol theyre handled with care
oh yea happy bday, hope ur bday gift is a call from intercontinental , how would you like to work in maiduguri? lol
April 14th, 2008 at 7:49 am
@dami: Nuel is actually stuck in Adamawa for 12 months, NYSC ish so i guess that just happens to be his experience. but i know you being Muslim and all…[no be only you sabi spill the beans,
]. thanks, i hope that’s the gift too.
@Nuel: i hear you, but I’ll still handle things with an open mind. it’s sad to see you sad, cheer up man, One Nigeria!
@oscar: thanks, thanks, thanks, bro. happy birthday in advance to you too.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Happy birthday in advance o and welcome back!
April 30th, 2008 at 10:28 am
yeah, i read ‘half of a yello sun’ & in that week, i nearly killed every northern i met … lol. den i got over d feelings. shit happens all d time. Wot happened in Rwanda & Burundi was worse. Wot happens everyday is way worse. It’s well
Been 2 Mubi. I served in Gombi, daz on ur way 2 Mubi. D north is backwards. in fact, they r d most marginized, but by their own pple. there, d most ’suffering & smiling’ full there. u’d see a man who earns NGN 12,000 & he’d happily b doing ‘ranka dede’ 2 a big day earning millions & he’s not even bothered by it. @ least down east, everyone wants 2 better demselves. wealth is 4 everyone, so wetin na
happy birthday in arrears, though
June 19th, 2008 at 3:35 am
my dear i hear you on the feelings post-reading Half a Yellow Sun. But when the anger finally calmed down (anger at both non-Biafrans and Biafran progeny who forget what it means to be Igbo), I realized that Igbos as a people are more incredibly resilient than I thought. Those were took part in the war, or grew up in and witnessed the horrors are living amongst us - and they are living strong. They are living stronger than ever - as if nothing happened. I have a new-found respect for the older ones amongst us who were able to survive such tragedies and excel whether in academics or business or government.
The only problem i have is that our complacent attitude towards what happened in the past may result in us allowing such things to happen again, though, maybe on a smaller scale. In the book, in the beginning, we saw a lot of resentment towards Igbo progress by non-Igbos. The resentment is replaying itself over again in this modern age. Unfortuntately, Igbos have not decided to fight against such resentment - that is nip it in the bud.
And happy belated birthday - I’ll try and remember next year (for some reason, I have not been able to access your blog till now)