IT’S NOT
ABOUT THE
HAIR
JUSTINA
KES-AGBOSA
When I began doing interactive sessions
with the youths, I had T-shirts with the
inscription “I BELIEVE IN NIGERIA”. This
attracted a lot of negative reactions. Two
instances readily come to mind.
I was about to have a session with
National Youth Service Corps members
during their Passing out Parade
preparations when two of the corps
members standing outside, looked at me
and said “which Nigeria?” On another
occasion, I got to a police check point
and the mobile policeman that was by
the side of my car said “Madam, which
Nigeria?”
Then he went further to say that he
understands that we are all trying to
make a living.
All efforts to make him realize
that my intentions were genuine
fell on deaf ears. Many have
made up their minds and I am
not just talking about foreigners
but mostly Nigerians and
other Africans that nothing good
can ever come from this
continent. It is very sad, but it is
the reality we are dealing with. I
get a lot of sarcastic remarks on
social media when I talk about
the bright future that Africa has.
For many, just like the mobile
policeman, we talk about a
productive future in Africa
because we want attention.
What are Africans Projecting?