THE WEIRDO'S JOURNAL II

Today, the weirdo stands on the white sand banks of the great river. All his life, the weirdo has heard stories of the great river, the great mermaid that inhabits the great river and today his lust for adventure and his reckless courage has served as his transport fare to this beautiful sight.

He stands at the Osee Market, Onitsha. Past the yam stalls, and noticed that all his life, he had been told the sands of this river was white but  sands at the bank of this great river is not literally white but light tan. He shook his head in his eye opening discovery.

Then he walks into the river, ankle deep, bends down and touches the great river as it flows slowly down south. This great river that has defied the boundaries of the white men; that has traveled from the high grounds of Futa Djallon, Guinea went through upland to the desert but like a child who makes quite a decision, makes a boomerang turn in Mali, then Nigeria. This great river is the Niger.

This weirdo wanted to take a sip and taste the waters of these great tales but was livid seeing floating plastics on the body of water. Why can't people keep the dignity of our natural bodies? Very sickening, I could have told you how the Niger tastes but I have to worry about my health first.

Then he looks up and sees the wonder before him.  It is a sunny day and the rays of the sun are hitting the water making it glisten like a fine flowing liquid silver. The weirdo has to wear sunglasses to see the beauty of this place. To the west, Delta state, very green crops planted on the riverside grow tall and healthy, leaves shimmering under the bright sunlight. At the banks, the ‘white’ sand perfectly blends with loamy in the farmland. To the east, where he stands is a food market, typical of Anambra state that turns every piece of land to either a real housing estate or market.

To the north, the Niger flows majestically down to the south. And far ahead to the south, the weirdo can see the First Onitsha Head Bridge. Looking onward to the south, he can see a faint structure almost covered in fog: the Second Niger Bridge.

This weirdo bends down again, scoops a little water into his palm, squats and begins to ask it. Did you see this land before the whites came? Did you see the men we call forefathers today fishing here? Did you know that the whites claim to have found you first before your owners did? Did you see Park or Lander navigate you? Did you see the explosion of the bridge during the war? Can you show me the mermaid living in you?

The weirdo got no answer but was sure he saw the River smile at him. He turns his back to leave, saddened by leaving, happy the whole world is still waiting for us: his readers and himself. Soon, everything turned bustling and hustling: Onitsha's signature.

The weirdo will write to you again because there are plenty of wonders to see, till then.

                                 Your favorite weirdo,

                                          WJ.