NIGERIA- The Giant of Africa

Culture, a way of life. Diversifying us yet unifying us, our heritage, our pride. The backbone of our existence.

Nigeria is made up of a rich cultural heritage many strive to have.

 Nigeria is not just a name, it is a people of different ethnicity, strong and mighty fussed together like a bunch of broom difficult to break.

I am a Nigerian with both parents of same state, tribe and language. Being able to understand the culture of the Urhobo people, the tribe my parents are from was very easy. Our language was the basic means of communication in our home, no wonder I was told I first learnt how to speak in Urhobo language.

My parents found communicating with my siblings and I in public easy because we speak and understand our language. So where eye sign language does not work, the language sure would. My siblings and I never felt lost whenever we travelled to Delta State, our home town to visit our grandparents and family because we could communicate in the language they understood, so we did not feel like outsiders.

Today, diversity in marriage is been embraced more. Igbo marrying Yoruba, Yoruba marrying Urhobo, Hausa marrying Igbo and so on. This has further strengthened the bond and unity of our dear country Nigeria. This could also lead to a greater lose of our culture and heritage because a lot of homes are now becoming westernized, native languages are no longer spoken especially in cases where both parents are from different ethnicity, they may not speak enough of a particular native language for their children learn.

Children are gradually forgetting their root, culture and history. They know more about the western countries than they know about their country. Television programs children watch these days do not help matters either. 

Would we sit back and watch our culture and heritage gradually be forgotten? Let us all make a continuous effort to teach and imbibe our Nigerian culture in our children, do not allow our languages go into extinction.

Remember, north, south, east or west, home is best. Let us revive our culture, let us protect our heritage. Our diversity is not our weakness but our strength and uniqueness.

Let us celebrate Nigeria, our culture, our heritage.