Nigerian Eyes

A poem and commentary by Terry Conlan

God, where are you? I need you.
Life is becoming a worn out shoe;
I walk from my shanty neighborhood to the city,
Embracing my problems with negativity - what a pity!

Many people wear old shoes or walk in bare feet. Their houses have old tin roofs. And the problems race though their minds everyday waiting for an escape – somewhere, anywhere.

Then I see a white person walking the streets,
My African heart starts hitting many beats.
My mentality has struck sudden death
For a future blinded from the serpent’s breath.

About how Nigerians perceive white people - a ticket of hope and money. With this perception they risk being blinded by prejudice.

I can see my future crystal clear through another’s eyes.
Wondering and wanting the rich world outside of this diamond.
Its rough edges have cut me deep and my new hope is beyond,
Towards a sliver society with golden promises.

About why Nigerian people want to leave this wealthy, beautiful country, and go to a place where there is hope.

Places where people eat and never go hungry.
Where men are good and not so angry.
A place of unity, justice and peace.
But my truths are under a corrupted lease.

People think there’s got to be a better life than living here in Nigeria; where there are many rights and enough food. For a Nigerian the corrupted system has got hold of there life

My reality burns the love I once received.
The flames growing stronger with rage that deceives.
For this Government has made me weak.
A passport of faith is what I seek.

The family unit is strong in Nigeria, but government has made some people lose some values.
Getting a visa to leave the country is very hard

I sit with my mouth close praying
But so many words I am saying.
Even when I sleep I ask God in my dreams
To show me an escape to the righteous streams

So many people turn to faith because of their struggles, but they tend to pray with a thousand thoughts and demands, and this affects their reality, the life they want to escape.

Rivers of sin surround the islands of minority,
While the country’s money is sailing from the majority.
The poor people suffer from their dirty soil
Equality is trapped, covered in crude oil.

Nigeria is rich in natural resources, but the elite are selfish which is evident from the big gaps between the rich and the poor.

Resources of greed ended all good deeds,
With their human nature killing their spiritual seeds.
Now we the people suffer and feel the pains
As they travel in their platinum carriage trains

The rich are a small percentage in Nigeria; if you visited the capital city you will see the differences between this city and rest of the country. Crude oil is a big resource in Nigeria and it’s negatively affecting the land and the people – causing crime and death.

Cars, trucks, buses and planes
But the roads were never developed or maintained.
With sand, dust cursing people’s air waves
No wonder so many fall to their graves.

The roads are bad, drivers are mad, the pollution is too much. With sand and dust everywhere it is no wonder heath is poor.

Mosquitoes knock at death’s door,
Requesting blood and much more.
Medical access is buried under fat pockets,
While Malaria kicks and explores like rockets.
Kids younger than one surrender to poverty’s cries.
But the enemy isn’t these fearful flies

Illnesses like malaria take many children’s lives in Nigeria, but if money was spent on prevention they could save many young lives.

The enemy is the corruption,
which causes social eruption.
Young men lie about their age
To get to the next football stage.

The corruption in Nigeria makes the young people dishonest because of the lack of opportunities. Some young men will claim to be younger than they are in “football age” so as to increase their chance of getting out of the country.

Slaves they become from the lack of opportunity
That forces sin to slither and begin activity.
As Jesus and the Prophet claim these lands
The lack of electricity has burnt so many hands.

Young people become like slaves doing jobs they don’t want to do and are not encouraged to develop their passions. Christianity and Islam are the two major religions and influences. Electricity is limited.

Creating generators to supply power
The after affects are leaving lungs tarred
Alterative ways are available and good
But the Government’s eyes are covered with an evil hood

There are so many generators in Nigeria because there is no power at night to cook or even give light. Yet it’s such a rich country! The Government appears not to care that there are other ways to produce cheap and clean power for the good of the nation.

Using police and their crazy laws
The Government shows no mercy to hide it flaws.
No concern is made about kids selling on the street
As long as they get wealthier and become the elite.

Happy and comfortable their fake lives may be
But the real truth: they will never be free.
Starving the oxygen from their own society;
Forcing rates of new fidelity.

Concerned about the people they are not
They would rather be buried with cash and rot
Can there be hope in a country of injustice
As long as there are young people that can trust us
Then change is possible one day

The young people can change this place
Where poverty and greed will leave no trace.
And when they look into their child’s face
They will see a future with all of God’s grace.

The young people really understand and care about this beautiful country and with just a little encouragement they can make it a better place.