For Nigerians

Haven’t you noticed the heaviness in the air? Maybe we are carried away by the drive to chase our goals, but if you pause and look, it would bring you conscience.

As someone whose empathy is extreme, I feel almost everything. It’s not even about running, but about getting the opportunity to see another break of light.

Everyone these days is performing online—not necessarily for an audience, but based on individual goals. You get to see a lot happening, but deep inside, they might be going through chaos.

Have you seen the news lately? Did your heart race, or did you feel indifferent because “it’s not me”?

I love my country so much, but a lot is happening—it is frustrating her people.

You don’t have to wait for someone to come and burn down your house. Simply stepping outside to get your daily meal, putting food on your table, or even going out to pour out your knowledge could be the difference between life and death. I’m constantly pleading the blood of Jesus as I step out, enter a bus, drink water, or even eat—because even the food isn’t safe. Yet everyone is minding their business… until it hits them.

Everywhere feels heavy. No one wants to watch the news anymore. Lawmakers try to put us in traps. An average Nigerian—whether you are a creative, working 9–5, or self-employed—is just trying to stay afloat. Just when you think you’re making enough, the system drags you back into the mud. You realize you are working to survive, not even to live.

• 9–5 workers: the road is after your blood.

• Remote workers: you live in an environment with unstable water, and you either plan to move out, get solar, or lose your job.

• Self-employed: you feel like you are losing your mind.

• Students: the academic system seems against you.

Did you see the people fighting for our rights at the National Assembly protest by Mamapee? My heart goes to everyone trying their best. Fear grips me. A thousand and one thoughts flash through my mind. Who would save us?

It is us ourselves.

I wish everyone safety. Live a righteous life too, because we don’t know when our time will come. I pray it is not untimely. I pray the country won’t break us. I pray we don’t forsake righteousness because of the cost of living. I pray we don’t become apathetic. I pray we plan, take action, and achieve all we set out to do.

I pray Nigeria doesn’t happen to you.

Dear creative, dear changemaker, dear Nigerian youth: stay safe, and take care of your mental health.