Inspite of Mutallab, I Am Still Here

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January 11th, 2010 | Add a Comment

Nigeria, We Hail Thee!

Word is, on the streets in Nigeria and abroad, that the name ‘Mutallab’ is now a bonafide word in the English dictionary! As a noun, it means ’someone who brings shame to his family, to others or to his country’; ‘rich kid who attempts to kill himself and others for silly reasons’. As an adjective, it means ’stupid; spoiled; useless; dumb; troublesome’. Short form: ‘Mu-mu’ meaning ‘fool’. Usage: “Are you a mutallab?” “You are a mutallab!” “He pulled a mutallab!” “Stop this mutallabness!”

Jokes aside, I am reminded of how resilient my mother’s people are. In the face of all adversity, Nigerians manage to find the humor that keeps them going. They are always able to find that which empowers them to face down the obstacles that would shut down less courageous souls. After the failed bombing attempt by Mutallab Junior, Nigerians quickly setup websites and social networking fan pages to unite and declare their pride in being Nigerian. They have refused to succumb to the collective shame that Junior’s singular acts would add to the tags of being ‘419′ scam artists and drug pushers.

Nigerians are quick to highlight they they are the elite in most countries where you find them – they are the best surgeons, engineers, attorneys, business executives, athletes, academicians, artistes, writers, supermodels and social activists.

This resilience is inbred and inculcated in almost every Nigerian person. In Nigeria, it’s survival of the fittest – in academics, in society, in finances, in romance, in marriage, in appearance, in influence, in knowledge, in everything. Even as a child in Canada, I had it beaten into me by my Nigerian mother that I was the best, the brightest and the toughest. She tolerated no less a belief from me. When I eventually got to meet my Nigerian relatives on the continent, they didn’t give me any pampered treatment either. We don’t care where your father is from; you have Nigerian blood, therefore, you are Nigerian. If you can’t win, you go down fighting. This is how we are. This is how we live.

While I would modify her method of training today, I still credit this indoctrination for my outlook on life today. I don’t give up easily. Inside my mind, I never give in. Regardless of what’s going on ‘out there’, my spirit is resilient. I will stand until my point is made and clearly understood. Knowing that I have gone through worse, I am willing to pay the price to achieve my goals. Am I about to face the worst? I will get through it.

Who cares about Mutallab, really? My mind is resilient. My spirit is resilient. My identity is resilient. I may not be brave, but I am resilient. And I Am Still Here.