From the second most populous continent
The eagle with 36 wings
Oh Nigeria, my country of origin
Giant of Africa, mangrove evergreen
Most populous African country
In your good and ugly, I’d always ever grin
With over 400 tribes with different languages
Was once in slavery and freedom was sought
Then rose our heroes and fiercely they fought
We were forced into a marriage called amalgamation by the then colonial masters
Dogged in struggle
Victorious they emerged, conquering every hurdle
Sovereignty reigns and the economy booms
Then came the cankerworm that ate it to doom
A country labeled with corruption on its forehead
The most religious country yet one of the most corrupt
Over this issue, we ought to pray
Nepotism is the order of the day
In political appointments and federal institutions
What a nefarious attitude
The standard of honesty in my country has reached its nadir
The wealthy unperturbed
The government undisturbed
The poor drained of all hope
Praying for grace to cope
Military coup was its bane
I was told that was how it was ordained
The cankerworm, a moving train it is
Trampling on the common people, yet we all watch
But who will bell the cat and block its way
To prevent the monster from making headway
The thought of blocking its path
Only to get crushed and it continuing still
Is enough to make one rethink
A true menace on my country’s rails
I look up and see our leaders in it
I look forward; perhaps awaiting us is a bright future
But all I see is a nation in sutures
So now I look down, bury my gaze to my feet
Close my eyes and pray for its defeat.