I AM AM NORTHERNER...... My land of birth is great and vast, full of life and changing scenes. Sometimes arid, sometimes green. Most times dry and sometimes wet - it is the northern land. I don’t blame others, if they don’t know, but I make them angry for just being me. My land is dry and breeds no things- but lush tomatoes, scented onions, hot peppers, and loads of grain, ginger and garlic. My land produces maize and beans; sugarcane, sorghum, moringa and millet. My pastureland is best for cattle, goats and sheep, best for donkeys, horses, and fowls of all kinds. These are part of the northern nothing.... The Mambilla makes the best of tea, of mangoes, pineapples, legumes and fruits. The earth yields carrots, melon and seeds. Once upon an ancient time, my land made groundnuts that built pyramids like Egypt land. The best of yams and potatoes breed; the best of beans and protein needs; yes, they’re nothing compared with oil - parlous insignificance to today’s gold. Whatever the north produced is nothing here. I am a northerner. Others are allowed to make their heroes, keep their heroines and turn their villains into saints but I am accused of political greed. I am the grandson of Tafawa Balewa, the golden voice of Africa, co-founder of the OAU - but I am the butt of modern jokes... I am a northerner, cousin of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka. My uncles shed the blood that glued this nation. Yes perhaps not make professors per square metre but I made mine in quantum too. In Jelani Aliyu I share my blood. In Aliko Dangote I share my wealth. I am a northerner, branded loafer, codenamed para-site and forbidden to fight the label. I am never judged on the strength of my character, nor on my personal skill, for I am not supposed to have a brain, skill or character - I am a northerner.... If I drink am called a drunk, and if I don’t, am called a terrorist. If I eat they laugh at me, if I don’t they say, let him starve
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:15:18 +0000
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