Give Nigerians "POWER" To Live

I have watched various programs about Africa for years. I found the programs intriguing, for it seemed like my African brothers and sisters, although the same in color, were so far removed from the way we live in America. I often thought that if we (meaning Americans) would be dropped off in a remote location in Africa, we would probably not be able to survive the conditions. After all, we walk from our air-conditioned homes to our cars that are air-conditioned, and from there, we enter our work places that are also air-conditioned. The heat alone would take most of us under. When watching the African specials that came on television, I admired the ingenuity with which Africans can adapt to their surroundings and, do more than survive, but thrive in their environments. I am talking about the programs that show the "African tribes" that do not live in cities like Lagos, Nigeria. When I think about it, I have never seen a special on television about "life in Lagos, Nigeria" or its surrounding countryside. Perhaps they have come on, but I do not remember seeing one.

Than one day, I, Patricia Daboh, flew to Lagos, Nigeria to marry the man who had won my heart and devotion. The second thing I noticed, besides my wonderful husband, was that there was an awful lot of people in Lagos, Nigeria. As I rode in the car I noticed that I did not see the type of grass that one is accustomed to seeing in the many yards as you drive down the streets in sunny, Sumter, South Carolina. I saw many yellow buses that looked as though they needed to be replaced or repaired, and they were lined up on the side of the road due to the time my flight got in (5:45 a.m.). I inquired about the buses, that to me, looked as though they should have been crushed due to their condition (dents with missing doors). I was told that those yellow buses are current transportation vehicles, and I hid the shock. In America, those vehicles would not be allowed on the street, yet people actually road on them. I was given a nick name for them--"Moving Coffins."

During my two weeks throughout the time of my honeymoon with my husband, I met my new Nigerian family and many friends. Also during that time, I discovered many things that I had NEVER seen on any television show or heard about. One thing in particular that I lived with for two weeks, which Nigerian citizens have lived with for years, was the constant turning on and off of the electricity. "Why would the electricity be turned off?", I asked my new Nigerian husband, "for do they not realize that people need it to function, to live, to keep cool, and to operate their businesses!" I discovered that it had been like that for some time. Matter fact, some of my new relatives and many of my husband's friends wanted to know if our electricity was turned off like it is done in Africa. I let them know it was not unless you failed to pay your electric bill or there was a storm or some type of accident that had caused it to become disconnected. They were shocked at this, for they assumed the electricity was turned off in the United States like it was in Africa.

Generators are BIG business in Nigeria, for when the electricity is shut down constantly one must break out his generator, purchase gas, and listen to the loud "hum" of the generator until, as if by a miracle, someone decides that it is time for Nigeria to be, once again, graced with the power of "LIGHT!". My God how can anyone make a decent living without having the POWER to operate his/her business? It is impossible to do so with great resources to purchase large generators, and then one must have the funds to continually purchase the gas to make the generators operate.

As if that was not bad enough, but then when I saw the the level of poverty that thousands were living with on a daily basis, I felt like crying. I was shocked that people lived like that in 2007. I mean I had heard the term, Third World Country; I had imagined what poverty looked like; I had seen the "Feed the Children" programs on television, but when you visit a country and see with your own eyes the degree of poverty people live with, I must say it is very shocking. Sure, poverty exists in every country, but I have never seen this type in my life.

Simple things we Americans take for granted, such as: air-conditioning, regular trash pick up, running water, available electricity, free public education, and decent salaries. I realized just how BLESSED I was to be living in the Land of the Free, the Land of Opportunity, and the Land of Freedom of Choice!

I wanted to scream, shout, and cry, "Why . .my God . .why are these people so poor ..?" Lord have mercy .. people must have some type of dignity in order to feel human . .and alive . ! I saw much begging for alms in the street and many children whose parents could not pay their school fees in order for them to get a decent and proper education. I am a teacher myself, so this issue is very dear and near to my heart. I want all African children to be given the opportunity of a FREE public school education. It was so disheartening . .I felt as though I was holding my heart in check as I saw how my brothers . .and my sisters lived.

I met some of the most talented women, who braided my hair so well .. that when I got back to the states . .many marveled about its beauty. . .I knew, when I was there, that the Nigerians did not know their worth . for they were extremely talented, yet they have to live beneath their God given position . .

In those two short weeks, which affected, not only my life as far as marrying the man that I will love until the day I go to be with my Lord, but I have been touched by the sights, conversations, and experiences of Nigeria that will last a life time. I long to fly back there and make a difference .. show someone that they are worth Gold . .they are talented . .gifted . .and God created them to be somebody in this life . .even in the worse of conditions.

I order Nigerian movies all the time (mainly Christian), for it makes me feel close to Nigeria. I never want to lose that connection. My prayer to God is that, "Lord . .please give Nigerians POWER To Live!".