Rising Beyond the Shadows

By Peter James, Portharcourt, Nigeria

I dream of a land where the sunrise is bright,
Where justice walks free in the open daylight.
Where leaders are servants, and power is trust,
And promises made are not covered in dust.

The Nigeria I want is a home that is fair,
With classrooms of hope for the children who care.
No child on the street with a hunger to feed,
But laughter and books giving strength to their need.

I want roads unbroken, that carry our dreams,
And power that flows like unending streams.
A nation where farmers reap joy from their soil,
And labour is honoured with fruits of their toil.

The Nigeria I see wears unity’s crown,
Where tribe is no weapon to pull brothers down.
Where Christians and Muslims, together, will stand,
As sisters and brothers of one motherland.

I see youths with vision, their voices aflame,
Inventing, creating, bringing honour and name.
A Nigeria of peace, where our talents take flight,
Where tomorrow is golden, and the future is bright.

So I lift up my pen as a torch to declare,
The Nigeria I want is already here,
In the hearts of the young, in the change we believe,
In the nation of promise we’re ready to weave.