Back in highschool in Nigeria, teaching students about the natural resources which their country possesses was a key part of our teachers’ curriculum. We learnt that this state in Nigeria possesses a lot of coal, the other, petroleum, the other, diamond, and the list goes on. Nigeria is a naturally blessed nation. So even in the midst of all the grief that Nigerians are currently going through, I continue to stick with my mantra: Nigeria never did anything to me, it is some Nigerians IN Nigeria that should check themselves. I developed that mantra because I do not want Nigerians including myself to look down on the Land that We are blessed with. We are lucky to belong to a Land naturally blessed with resources in terms of people, mineral resources and religion. Nigeria is a rich country. Nigeria is the earthly body containing people who were made to be able to take action. The direction Nigeria goes depends on the people it contains. It depends on Nigerians. Grief has been mentioned twice in this article. It is the simplest sorrowful word that I can use to describe the present condition that most Nigerians are in now. About two weeks ago, 234 school girls were kidnapped in Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram (a vicious Islamic militant group in Nigeria). The news was received, but as time went on and a majority of these girls had still not returned, Nigerians began to take action. I must say that I am very proud of my people. This has been the first time that I have heard of so many Nigerians coming together to publicly condemn the actions of the Boko Haram group. Women were marching in the rain on Wednesday, April 30^th, calling for “our girls” to be brought back. Lots of Nigerians began using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls on Twitter. I joined in. To my amazement and delight, lots of foreign celebrities joined in using that hashtag and spreading the sad message of the missing girls to others. Nigerians have had enough, so now they have risen. The rain did not stop them. Their togetherness has inspired many including foreigners to take action. This relates to the post from Tuesday in which I wrote that taking your talent or passion public would make a positive impact somehow. I am proud of the Nigerians that action for the sake of “our girls”. While I mention that Nigerians have risen to take action, I refer to the Nigerian public as the President seems to care less about these young girls who have been taken away from their families, their education and have been stripped of their human rights. Nigerians are yet to see the President, Goodluck Johnathan take serious and beneficial action towards the case of these missing girls. His wife demanded that she be addressed as “Mama Peace” some months ago. Where is she now that women need a voice? I am proud of the Nigerian public for seeing that there is power in community. However, I am saddened that the President has yet to learn and is yet to be inspired from the governed. Yes, it is meant to be the other way around, but that is what is recommended in Nigeria, at the moment. Nigerians and supporters of the #BringBackOurGirls movement from all over the world were still grieving when we heard that another bomb blast had occurred at Nyanya, Abuja. That was the same place were Boko Haram bombed and killed people about three weeks ago. As suspected, there were deaths in this second bomb blast. Still the federal government seems nonchalant. Hearts are heavy. Nigerians are grieving. It’s hard for hope to stay in hearts that have been tested by heartbreak on and on again. It is true, but please, Nigerians and all who advocate for peace in Nigeria, let us not allow grief to kill our hope. Continue to use the hashtags – #BringBackOurGirls and #StopTheBombings on your social media networks. You do not have to be Nigerian to feel the pain that looms in Nigeria right now. Do your part and inspire others to advocate for peace in Nigeria. I have hope (though on-and-off), but I do have hope that Nigerians will be rescued. I have hope that Nigerians would be rescued from Boko Haram, bad government and all people and things that are hindering Nigerians from enjoying the fruits of their naturally blessed Land. My fellow Nigerians, please keep rising. I have risen with you all.

Ahh … My heart is heavy. I had to still make sure that I ask you all a few questions, so here we go:

– How are you planning to help the Nigerian people in this time of grief?

– What do you do to maintain peace in your daily lives?

Let me know!

Also, please use the hashtags – #BringBackOurGirls and #StopTheBombings, in one tweet or separate tweets. You can follow me – @Amzy_M and tag me in your tweets. I will retweet you!

Love & peace,

Chiamaka.

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