THE AFRICAN STORY 

   I'm only guessing here but I think that your premonition haven read the topic of this essay, about it's content, will probably revolve around the concepts of poverty, lack, corruption and struggle. If that's what you think of the African story then you're absolutely right In my opinion there is no greater victory than surviving the vicious cycle of artificial poverty, insecurity and corruption where it's recurring nature has turned it into a norm in present day Africa.

  I'm pretty sure that if an American, brit or any Western and or European indigene is asked to describe Africa or to tell the African story, they would probably say; "Africa is a land blessed with natural resources coupled with industrious and ingenious minds driving innovation and production to the next lev"el or maybe, "Africa is a melting pot of culture each unique and similar in their diversity, telling stories of bravery, courage and tenacity" or even, "Africa is a tourist hub with monumental locations and statues so rich in history that they rival even native American origins.

   Haven heard all this, I know your mind is already trying to discern whether or not I'm being skeptical or direct. Well if you're to ask me then the African story isn't just two lines from a deep dive into the underlying and superficial aspect of 'we country', rather it is novel worth; coagulated by a myriad of benchmarks, footnotes and headlines all sharing the same bottom lines; liberation, alleviation, empowerment and sustenance.

      In the classroom, these concepts seem trivial and shallow, prompting students to believe such terms are "meant-to-be" or textbook processes which are unalienable, but is it really?. I challenge you to walk the streets of Calabar; the kiosks, the run down buildings, the heaps of garbage piled high irrespective of the space meant for motorists and finally, the logically inhabitable 'homes' that are being habited. Then I promise you that your perspective will shift from the usual phrases of "rustic" or "reconnecting with nature" or "simple living" that foreigners tell themselves when they watch documentaries of kids playing with their clothes off, children hawking their wares under the blazing sun unconsciously providing clear graphic content for those broadcasting.

   With this in mind, you will begin to look past their smiles and apparent glee from carrying buckets filled to the brim with 'pure' water sachets , their naive and innocent gazes as they stare at the "oyibo" woman playing with them while the camera takes its shots. You will look past all these and see the hunger in their eyes, and no, not hunger for adventure as most westerners often say, not hunger for more play; being children that they are, rather, hunger for what most people consider to be basic. What do the White's call it again - Basic Necessities Of Life. Of the three, their hunger is for the most important... food.

   Don't you see, although we are the giants of Africa, what good is a giant when surrounded by others it's size, not any good that's for sure. The oil and natural resources we always seem to boast about aren't any good to us, the hectares upon hectares of thriving nature mean nothing to us. The only thing worth our while is the 'hustle', the drive to reach newer heights regardless of the means and manner, the bond of family that strengthens and renews our will and those we are pushing on for.

   Sometimes people wonder why Nigerians do not suffer from depression or other mental disorders, as well as why natural disasters never seem to reach our shores. As for the answer to the former, I would argue that being born in hardship, starvation and corruption, we have since given up on the idea of feeling sorry for ourselves. It is a testament to our strengths that even while in a never ending simulation of 'survival of the fittest', more than a good number of us still manage to come out on top. For the latter, I would say dryly "The one wey we get dey enough, we no need other ones" - meaning that we already have nationwide calamities and we do not need those from across the sea.

   Don't believe me?. Well years back, it was reported that a snake swallowed 17 million naira from a federal building. That's even going to far, of recent in Calabar; the city of my birth, cases have been reported of thieving of testicles from unsuspecting pedestrians. So you tell me, can we really say we are free from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis or do we simply have our own versions. Regardless, beyond all expectations we are alive and kicking and we will continue pushing to eventually bask in this light at the end of the gloomy tunnel.

   Many have tried to tell the African story but they always seem to lose sight of its true meaning midway while others that are successful in telling it I misunderstood by the masses For instance the movie the woman king which portrayed the essence of African culture, clearly depicting her enslaving at the hands of her oppressors, the insensitive of war which is random in its ensnaring and the cries echoing from the affected, is only seen as one of the best "African Action Movie". Fans care less about the didactic nature of the film, and more about recounting scenes of Naniska waving her sword. This alone drowns out the shouts of my people; begging for development in their country which for years is still termed as a 'developing country'. So much blood has been spilt to push independence to the side, so we match on on undeterred and unhinged hoping to one day see our dreams fulfilled.

   In conclusion, If someone ever asks you to tell the African story, you should look the drain straight in the eyes, raise your chin and answer them saying; "hope", as that is what keeps us going on and on.