01/10/2017- "October 2014 in Stockport"

It was past midday on Sunday the 5th of October 2014 when Thompson and I boarded the Arriva bus from Stanley road to Stockport in Liverpool.

It could have been three of us on this journey but Matthew had to cancel due to his busy schedule. Thompson had not seen his uncle in a while so this was an opportunity to see him again as well as partake in the yearly independence party he had been organizing for some years. As long as it was going to involve food, it was not difficult at all to convince me to tag along😁😁.

Thompson's uncle is Nupe and a grandfather with many years working as a surgeon in the UK. His lovely wife of well over 30 years could easily pass for a 40years old woman; she also has many years of experience as a physician in the UK.

The venue was a hall which their church had used earlier that morning. People began to arrive and the tables were decorated with food including jollof rice. Nigerians who lived in the community were there with their children and spouses and we soon all stood to sing the national anthem.

It was a sumptuous buffet and couples took turns to grace the dance floor as Nigerian music from far and wide filled the room. There was joy in the atmosphere as folks from different backgrounds melted in unity. One man and his wife got other Nigerians to remember their home and it was a success story.

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Thompson and I helped to clear the hall when all was said and done; we also returned the speakers to his uncle's house. He had them specifically bought for this occasion.

Wherever I see or hear people say Nigerians cannot live together, I just laugh and remember that even those in other climes are still nostalgic about the motherland and live at peace with other Nigerians outside of our shores.

I don't see dark clouds, I see the good we all bring and can still bring to the table. I see brother helping brother, one neighbor defending his/her neighbor's honor. I remember beautiful Plateau and the Gombe state university Zoo. I remember the mango trees with fruits almost touching the ground in Benue, I remember riding on okada late at night in Kano and my trips to Dutse and Gumel. I wonder what we were thinking one time at almost midnight in Zaria. We went on two bikes, four of us to find food; the newly married couple the best man and I. I've written this before, there's no difference between parts of Taraba and neighboring Cross River. We need to arise to our collective responsibility to be part of making Nigeria work. I don't think it's really wisdom when all one says about Nigeria is negativity; there should be one thing at least we can be grateful for with respect to ourselves or a family member at least.

I opt for optimism; I will rather wish Nigeria well and do my bit wherever I find myself so that I can organize yearly celebrations to honor a truly great nation.

Happy celebrations Nigeria!!!  We shall celebrate even greater feats.

Nigerians at the Party

Stockport.