THINGS FALL APART

Nannim Nanyak

Nannim Nanyak

Tuesday 1 September 2026

“Nigeria we hail thee.”

Are we even healthy to hail thee?

“Our own dear native land.”

Land on which we are strangers, sold to hunger and captivity.

Even if we have a unified tongue and speak the same language, we can't stand in brotherhood.

For things have fallen apart, and indeed the centre cannot hold.

Are we even proud to serve this so-called motherland?

“Our flag shall be a symbol that truth and justice reign.”

Same flag that is known for corruption internationally?

Do we even know how peace tastes?

Are our heroes in battles honoured?

I promise you, we count being Nigerians a loss.

“To hand unto our children a banner without stain.”

A banner without stain indeed; we on the Plateau bleed zobo, and our soldiers on the field bleed palm oil.

As “stainless” as steel.

But in all, grant us this one request, O God:

Help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed!

May Nigeria succeed.