Tribal marks, iro and buba
strong, resilient, in all things peculiar
blacksmithing, weaving, leather working
wood carving, glass making, scintillating
efo riro, ewa-agoyin, amala and ewedu
dodo, asun, gbogbo eyan wá jeun
The Nigerian Face

Ndi ìgbò kwenu! kwezo nu!
they are everywhere, not a few
prehensile, sophisticated and hardworking
egwu ogene, egwu abigbo, egwu ukwu
ofe onugbu, ofe oha, ofe nsala, now serving
Anambra, Abia, Delta, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi na Enugu
The Nigerian Face

Crafstmanship, population and Hausa
Babban gida, Hukuna and Kaftan
energetic, industrious, architecture
cultural diversity, oneness and agriculture
Tuo zaafi, Shinkafa, Taushe and Miyan kuka
religious and affluent, Na Gode kowa da kowa
The Nigerian Face

WAZOBIA, part of the Nigerian Face
more than two hundred and fifty ethnic groups
culturally rich and economically able
Ijaw, Ibibio, Tiv, Isoko, Iman, Ikom, Ika, Izon, Jahuna
Kantana, Esan, Eket, Kanjuru, and many more
the rich and poor, hustlers and settlers
Didi and shuku, weaves and braids
Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists and Atheists
The Nigerian Face

Home and abroad, Green White Green
farmers, parliamentarians, the homeless and the affluent
ebony or light skinned, united by music and religion
striving for oneness and betterment
thirty six states and capitals, more than five hundred languages
fighting for excellence and a better tomorrow
a land flowing with milk and honey
unfortunately, just for a few folks
resilient and brave, the epitome of hope
The Nigerian Face

To the heroes who died fighting for peace
to the living heroes fighting for justice
to the late soldiers, to the living warriors
to the victims of kidnapping, abduction and rituals
to the victims of bad roads, police brutality and street violence
our blood, sweat and tears will never be in vain
therefore arise o compatriots, Nigeria's call obey
to serve our fatherland, with love and strength and faith
the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain
to serve with heart and might
one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity
The Nigerian Face.

© Nwegwu Favour Adaeze