I like living in Calabar. It has many tourists sites which include: Marina Resort Children Playground, National Museum, Cross River National Park, Tinapa Resort, Chief Ekpo Bassey’s House, Dukes Town Church Drill Rehabilitation Center, Slave History Museum, Mary Slessor’s House, Tomb and Statue. Most importantly, I enjoy dressing colorfully, dancing, eating and watching the various people that come for the Calabar Carnival which usually holds in December annually.
When my parents, Mrs. Udauk and Mr. Udosen informed me about their transfer which meant our leaving Calabar to Makurdi, I tossed and turned in bed that night as I thought about not being able to visit the tourist sites nor participate in the carnival anymore. I wondered what living in Makurdi would be like; if I will like the school there as much as I liked my present school, or have funny friends just like Emeka and Eze, or have a Sunday school teacher who will answer all my questions and give me biscuits like Mrs. Taiwo.
The day finally came when we were to leave for Makurdi, tears streamed down my face as Daddy drove out of our compound with the neighbors waving us goodbye. Mommy looked over at me smiling.
“Don’t cry my big man, Makurdi is a beautiful town and you will like living there.”
In Makurdi, our neighbors welcomed us with flasks filled with what they called Ruam Kumen and Genger. They also helped us in taking our things into the house.
It is my first day at school today, I’ve been sweaty all morning. excited because Mommy and Daddy said I need not fidget as the school came highly recommended. In the classroom, our class teacher, Mrs. Terdoo showed me my seat.
“Excuse me please, may I pass?” I said to the boy who we were to share the seat with, his name is Bem and he made room for me to pass. At break time, when we lined up to wash our hands before eating our meals, I mistakenly stepped on the girl standing behind me and she winced.
“I’m sorry for stepping on you,” I said.
“It’s okay,” she responded.
As we sat down to eat, everyone invited the other person to share their meals with them. Bem gave me a piece of fried yam from his food.
“Thank you Bem, have some juice.” I said to him and poured some of my juice for him to drink.
When school closed for the day, my parents came to pick me up and I eagerly shared with them some of the things I’d learnt that day about Nigeria.
“Mommy, do you know that Nigeria has 36 States and 774 local government areas?” I asked.
“Of course, I do Namse.” Mommy responded.
“Daddy, how many indigenous languages are there in Nigeria?”
“200?” Daddy asked.
“No Daddy, there are over 300 indigenous languages in Nigeria. These includes Tiv, Jenjo, Efik, Margi, Yoruba, Kalabari, Igbo, Hausa, Igala, Bachama, Karakare, Afizere, Urhobo, Tangale and many many others. When was the Northern and Southern protectorates amalgamated to form Nigeria as it currently is?”
“1914.” Mommy and Daddy chorused.
“How about the Y line on the map?”
“That represents the rivers Niger and Benue,” Daddy responded.
“You are right Daddy. Guess what?”
“Tell us.”
“I made a friend today, his name is Bem…”
“Ben you mean.” Corrected Mommy.
“No, Bem. It’s a Tiv name meaning Peace.”
“oh…”
My parents had wide smiles on their faces as we drove home from school, they were pleased with all I had learnt about my country. I was also happy, Makurdi is a nice town to live in.
Ruam Kumen: Pounded yam
Genger: Soup made from the buds of silk-cotton tree
PPBlessing 