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It is more than I envisioned at the start. Like, obviously I was gonna get here someday, but I couldn’t conceive it mentally, it seemed so far off, somewhere in forever, it is quite some height, it is a long way from base.

Twenty5 was huge, silver jubilee, I felt mature
Fifty was gigantic, I felt old, but in comparison to my destination I still am a toddler

I woke up today, to Fifty7, I feel weird

I feel different, much different from Twenty5, much different from 10 years after it
I feel slightly lost, I feel the trail I was following has become indistinct, I feel my drivers have become drowsy

I feel lean, I feel like I have shed essential weight, even though I have been awarded a bigger cargo

I feel dirty sort of, I think my drivers have been reckless, the roads have stained me, I think they are complacent, they are not paying attention or don't care, I think they are just enjoying the ride

I feel weak, I am in this cabin on this road because I was a warrior, I was the warrior, in my time and space. Right now I sense weakness, I smell fear.

I see the younger drivers, the protégés, the up and coming trying to give advice to the veterans, hoping to be able to strengthen me again, I see that they have deduced that my strength is their protection, I am the reason why they can ride.

I see the veteran drivers shun them. Their egos can be perceived 100 miles away.
I hope for my own good, the protégés can take control, even if not at the reins
I hope for their own good they can make me strong again

But for today, I will put on a smile, I will put on a hat, it is my birthday

My home is Africa, I am NIGERIA

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Happy Independence Day NIGERIA

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