When shall we rise
against the agitation
and power struggles
That engulfs our nation state?
When shall we rise
to build our capacities and values
As a great nation?
When shall we rise
to recognise and tap the potential
Within our nation state?
When shall we rise
to appreciate the beauty
And brilliance of our land?
When shall we rise
to protect, and harness
The abundance of resources in our land?
When shall we rise
to instigate and urge our people
to think beyond tribe and religion?
When shall we rise
To serve our country wholeheartedly
and be recognised for our efforts?
When shall we rise
to seize the helm of our nation state
and steer it to stability?
When shall we rise
To fight corruption and bad leadership
crumbling the unity of our nation state?
When shall we rise
to emancipate our people
from tyrannical subjugation
Stunting our evolution?
When shall we rise
to oppose demeaning acts
of inhumanity against us?
When shall we rise
to break the gripe of our oppressors
and bridle the excess use of power
That intimidates the people?
When shall we answer
the clarion call for action?
They have used us as cat’s-paw for long
Crises have tossed us like waves
in a storm, for ages.
Are we not fed up with
Their banquet of deception?
Are we not tired of eating
The bread of adversity?
Drinking the water of affliction?
It is time to rise against evil subjection
and be combat-ready for the ejection
Of wicked rulers out of the land.
© By Ngozi Ebubedike.
