School: Graceland International School, Port Harcourt
Class: SS 2

I love my country, Nigeria. I appreciate God sometimes solely for the fact that he made me Nigerian. I am indeed blessed to belong to a nation which has produced numerous heroes like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, President Goodluck Jonathan to name but a few. These sages left their marks on the sand of time by deciding to serve Nigeria and believe I can also be a legend just by appreciating the fact that I am Nigerian and dedicating my existence to improving Nigeria. I love Nigeria and have great hopes for her. It is for this reason that I sometimes speak critically but always positively about her. I admit the fact that Nigeria has not especially in recent times lived up to expectations or been able to compete against her foreign counterparts but she has relentlessly continued fighting and challenging her obstacles. I indeed appreciate this feat of hers. I love Nigeria because she possesses some of the most beautiful and breathtaking landscapes in the world. I love Nigeria because she can boast of the loveliest cultures there are in the universe. I love Nigeria because virtually everything and anything is possible and acceptable. In Nigeria. You can be the highest earner and still pay the smallest tax, a husband can kick out his wife just because she conceived a female child, I leave the rest to imagination. I love Nigeria because there is happiness and joy everywhere, in fact a slang “No Dulling” has been coined for this attribute. Nigerians are the only people who have nothing to eat or no jobs and will still sit in front of their televisions to cheer their national sporting teams to victory. The unique privilege of joy and belonging, I will trade for nothing else. I love Nigeria if not for anything but the fact that I attend a good school situated in Nigeria and is managed by proud Nigerians. I love Nigeria because she is a true emblem of love, strength and courage. Nigeria is a true example of the popular saying “Black and proud”. I love Nigeria because he provides lots of locations for me to relax during holidays. A visit to the Ikogosi warm springs, Olumo Rock, Zuma Rock and definitely the Obudu cattle ranch will change the perception of anyone about Nigeria forever.

I live Nigeria because she is not perfect. Nigeria has been confronted by the hydra-headed monster corruption for so long in fact a lot of people thought she would have come to an end by now but contrary is the case. She has fought enviable although not so superbly well against this opponent and I hope she overcomes corruption soon because I definitely want to see a better Nigeria.

As long as I have a choice, I will only stay in and believe in a country which upholds hospitality, liberty, joy, peace, unity and equity of all men before law. I will forever rhapsodize gallantly about Nigeria.