Published May 15th, 2024
by Olufunminiyi Salawu
I am a Nigerian, born and raised
In a land of both beauty and pain.
A place where hope and despair interlace,
And the sun shines bright amidst the rain.
I have seen the struggles, felt the pain,
Watched my people suffer every day.
I have heard the cries, seen the stain,
Of poverty that never goes away.
I have seen the corruption, felt the greed,
Watched as leaders betray their trust.
I have heard the anger, seen the need,
For change that seems forever lost.
But still, I stand tall, proud and strong,
For I am a Nigerian, and so what?
Despite the trials that come along,
I know that we can rise above.
For in this land of ours, there is still joy,
In the laughter of children, in the songs we sing.
In the love that we share, the bonds we employ,
And the hope that tomorrow will bring.
I find joy in the richness of our culture,
In the diversity of our ways.
In the strength of our unity, our stature,
And the resilience that marks our days.
For we are a people who do not give up,
Who keep on fighting, come what may.
Though the road may be long, the journey tough,
We'll keep on striving, come what may.
So yes, I am a Nigerian, and so what?
I embrace my heritage with pride.
For though life may be hard, and the path rough,
There's no other place where my heart resides.
About the Poet
Olufunminiyi Salawu resides in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Read the poet's biography on Olufunminiyi Salawu's Artist Page.
This poem is collected in Poetry World #9, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
Previously published in Nigeria Poetry Magazine:
Nigerian Youths
by Nkoyo Nsa
Nigeria Poetry Magazine is part of the Wax Poetry and Art Network.
- Visit the main Wax Poetry and Art Submissions Page to see all opportunities.
- Visit the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
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