Silent Growth Under the Akwanga Sun

Nigeria Nasarawa State Akwanga is a quiet and patient place under the warm sun. These are self-made photos that convey a very simple yet powerful message, a message of growth, strength, and hope that is deeply embedded in the soil of our land.

The high palm trees made me establish a strong association with nature. Their robust trunks are proud of the earth, their broad fronds are extended out of them like shields. The withered leaves on the ground and the fertile brown earth talk of past seasons, the young green seedlings well trimmed in black nursery bags talk of the future seasons.

You can feel something inspirational about the way young plants are planted in rows and each of them has a lot of promise. They can be tiny today but one day they would be great strong trees, shade giving, fruit bearing and the source of livelihood. Growth begins quietly. It begins with a seed, watchful care and waiting. As well as these seedlings, any dream requires the appropriate environment to grow.

Some people might think that Akwanga is simply another town in Nasarawa State, however, moments such as these show that it is beautiful in a new way. There is soil being plowed, futures being sown, and hope being watered everyday besides the busy roads and day to day routine of the world. Agriculture has been a formidable support of our society that has linked people to the earth and each other.

The combination of maturity and fresh lives is what I like most in this scene as the tall palms are the rulers of new plants beneath. It is a reminder that development is a process. The old supports the new. The future is being nurtured by the present.

These are not just pictures, they are a symbol of progress, patience and intent. It is a story which is in every leaf and every seedling.

And the most potent beauty is, here and there, not noisome--but becomes steadily, silently, and faithfully... such as this.

Thanks for reading my post.