The Journey to Become

Is our journey as Nigeria done
Is there hope in our remaining one
Shall we conclude division has won
Because of our failure to become

Is our inability to see beyond the bend
A sign that we are at our Odyssey’s end
Are the persistent sad and negative trends
Evidence of a future as foes and not friends

In the seasons and times we find just cause
To deeply reflect, to ponder and pause
Think on the travails of the nation, being birthed by us
Seek to comprehend, understand how we became thus

How as a people we lost our way
How we wandered, so afar and astray
How we became the captive and prey
Of the evils around us today

Why we departed, from our lofty ideals
Values of greater worth, than talent and skills
The lubricating oil to the circular wheels
Needed to journey, through the valleys and hills

Ideals, such as the desire to always do right
To be guided by the God of creation our light
That we may not grope as those in the night
Because of a lack of clear vision or sight

Ideals, such as a desire to know
The truth that love and honesty may grow
From the seeds of justice we nurture and sow
As we show the youths the way they should go

Ideals, without which we will labour in vain
Why our people, will yet suffer in pain
Ideals, without which we will never attain
The great and lofty heights that we claim

Ideals, to which we must in all haste return
Embrace as a people, each and everyone
If we are to continue the journey to become
A nation whose people are united as one

Opeyemi Iyekolo

April 2021