Language and Identity

Nigerian parents proudly say these days and with all confidence too: Oh! My child only speaks the English Language.  Interesting!

It is for sure a beautiful thing to be able to stand out from the crowd and present yourself, your speech or even your ideas gracefully and fluently in a language acceptable by many. There is indeed great pride in discussing with friends from different parts of the world and flow excellently well, understanding every conversation and more importantly, being understood. You are no doubt respected and in fact, there is a personal feeling of poise, brilliance and self-confidence. Certainly, people will relate better with you than with those who struggle or stutter at their words in English Language. You definitely have an edge.

However, that's about where it all ends. Not until you leave the shores of your own country before you realize that no matter how much you try, you are who you are. No matter how fluent your English is, you are not English.  No matter how strong your American accent is, Americans know themselves. 

You would be often asked questions like: 'Where are you from?' for obvious reasons of course, and the only thing that would remind you of your root would be your name, well, if you have a local name. 😊  Only then, would you wonder and ask yourself, “If I don't belong fully abroad, I hope I fit and can even ‘balance well’ at home?”

There is a need, an urgent one too, to be able to identify with our roots, and also be able to prove that identity!

A number of us are familiar with the reports on languages. But just to reiterate, "The brain is not biologically set to learn only one language" quoting expert Laura-Ann Petitto, ‘a Cognitive Neuroscientist, popularly known for her discoveries about the biological foundations of language’.  Another research, according to an article in ‘Daily Mail Online’ says that “People who can switch between two languages seamlessly have a higher level of mental flexibility than monolinguals”.

Perhaps, we have been under utilizing the potentials and abilities of our children. A statement like 'Yoruba will spoil my child's English' is a proven myth. There are many people who communicate well in their local language and still speak the English language fluently. As strong as the French accent is, there are French with great American accents and who would have you believe that they are Americans until they begin to speak perfect French. How did they achieve that? Well, you can never know how much ability you've got until you try to discover.  Experts say that the best way is to speak local languages to our wards at home and have them learn the other languages at school. In fact, have them learn a third or fourth language. Start from when they are young.

Also worth mentioning, is the sweetness in switching between languages at the perfect place and at the right time too. Turning to that comfort zone even in the tightest corner; when it only makes sense to talk to mum about that pressing family issue; dad about the next giant step you are about to take and discuss that friend that grates on your nerves with your sister, IN YOUR LOCAL LANGUAGE. Whilst still feeling safe that you have neither divulged confidential issues nor 'washed your dirty linens in public'

Again, our true identity lies in our root, our root is defined by our culture, and our culture is reflected in that local language. We cannot afford to have a generation without an identity. Though it might seem to be fading out, we still have a chance to revive our culture and revival will start by ensuring we pass on our local language and the importance of it, to generations after us.

We hope to build a generation of leaders who have names like Omotola, Chidinma and Chawai and can fluently speak Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa respectively.

God Bless Nigeria!

References and for further reading on how many languages a child can learn:

Ute Limacher-Riebold, Expat Since Birth, https://expatsincebirth.com/2013/08/19/how-many-languages-can-a-child-learn/

Daily Mail Online, Science & Tech, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2600623/Language-biological-instinct-Babies-dont-learn-develop-speech-theyre-BORN-ability.html

I AM NIGERIA, and here is another picture of me

Every name has a meaning, perhaps, a significance. However, some actually carry more weight than others.  So, what comes to mind when you hear names like Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Mohammed Ali, Mikel Obi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, (am I becoming a football fan?) or Adebisi Adeyemi? 😊 And places like Dubai, London, Paris, New York or even Seychelles?

Asides what you think of these names, have you imagined what other people from different parts of the world think of them too? Most times, interestingly, you have similar views as many others because, there seem to be a general or popular knowledge. The beautiful pictures of these people and places are often painted, over and over, that sometimes, you might even choose to ignore their ugly sides.

Okay then, tell me what comes to mind when you hear the name Nigeria? If you ask me, at the mention of the name 'Nigeria', I see: ‘Giant of Africa, a beautiful country, a land of brain and beauty, a land of plenty, flowing with milk and honey, and, the list is endless’. I am right, in fact, very correct. But, I am also interested in knowing what the world thinks of this great country, Nigeria. Do they share the same thoughts and knowledge? Please, don’t be quick to answer.

Whenever I proudly introduce myself to friends from other countries, I look out for the expressions on their faces immediately I say ‘I am Nigerian’. While some of them try to hide their surprises, others actually confront me with words like: ‘How are you guys handling 'Boko Haram' in your country? Or ‘I heard there was an attack last night in the northern part of Nigeria’. More surprisingly, some of my Nigerian friends have been asked questions like ‘Are your parents politicians?’ (Of course, you know that is just a nice way to say; ‘Are you being funded by stolen money?’). How can you blame them? That is about the only news the world hears of us. Corruption and Insecurity. And no matter how good we see ourselves, the other side of the story is known only to us or a negligible number of others. Oh! I mustn't forget to add that some friends absolutely love Nigerian music too (yeah, that's a credit)!

I am currently doing a write up about Nigeria, and I would like to include a few facts, especially on ‘What the world does not know about Nigeria’. While we are not trying to 'sweep our dirt under the carpet', we must acknowledge that the other side of our picture looks really beautiful. I know there is more to us than the abundance of natural wealth, beauty and brain. Please tell me, I need ideas. Maybe I should start by saying: 'We have the most colorful and beautiful traditional weddings!' and ehmm... 'We love cars!!' (that's definitely debatable but, I have my facts).

Your ideas and comments will be very much appreciated and I just cannot wait to discover much more about my country than even I know. It is time to make the world see beyond the propaganda of the media. There is indeed more to us than the world knows. Please, let's share them here.
(I trust we would share valid points, but, kindly ensure they are proven facts too.) Thank you.

God Bless Nigeria! 

The Nigerian Coat of Arms -
A symbol of our National Identity
(Every feature gives a beautiful description of Nigeria)

Olajumoke Orisaguno... there is more to it than chance!

The story of this beauty queen and now big time model, Olajumoke Orisaguno is awe-inspiring. But what inspired me is definitely different from the many views and comments I have read about her. I analysed this with a friend who encouraged me to share my thoughts.

A transformation that pounced on 'Jumoke without notice even to her. From street hawking to modelling and stardom. Wow! Hers is a story that has undoubtedly increased the faith of many who now pray for 'Jumoke’s type of miracle and frankly speaking, why not? She is now the "talk of the town" and has also graced a few foreign tabloids. You want a perfect definition of a sudden transition from "grass to grace"? Olajumoke Orisaguno fits best.

So, how can we possibly describe this status shift? Chance right? She was in the right place at the right time. That’s what many think.

I don’t disagree with these thoughts. But a second look at the picture where she had her merchandise placed on her head (shared here) tells me there’s more to it than just chance.

Olajumoke was well-packaged. Come on, most of us know how some of the bread ‘agege’ hawkers look. Many times, we even deliberately and patiently wait for the next person who hopefully would look neater before making our purchase. But the 27 year old Jumoke was not shabbily dressed or dirty. Did anyone notice her hair-do? Her hair-do, dress, footwear, though in-expensive looked clean and put together. She did look attractive, healthy, fashionable, interesting and happy.

I would say she was indeed ready and qualified for her ‘chance’, her 'lucky break'. For her level, she was on point.

She is sure a model and the studio photos got me musing. ‘Maybe I should have some photo sessions myself (just for the fun of it). They would be awesome! Someone definitely agrees with me on that’. Now back to 'Jumoke,  I love the transformation! Oh! she looked so graceful in those pictures. (some shared here)

My heartfelt congratulations to Olajumoke Orisaguno. Many thanks also to the heroine, TY Bello, who unveiled the charm in the young woman, whose identity might have remained unknown and story untold.