On the 23rd of September, 2013, I got a call from a set of friends that made me to smile. Coincidentally, they all said almost the same thing "Happy birthday to you, as an Akwa Ibomite, we're a year older as on this day. Decades ago we gained our independence from the Cross Rivers State, Nigeria."

It was always a fun season for all Akwa Ibomite, a state known for its hospitality, love and food delicacies.

Today, being a decade after, I sat to think about this day again after being abused by passengers on the road.

"Independence kill you dia,

birthday to who?

You no well"

These and other unpleasant words/response was what I got just because I wished a fellow Akwa Ibomite "Happy Independence/Birthday." Tell me what was my fault or is it not the celebration people from home called their loved ones outside of the state to commensurate with them some years back?

I'll tell you what went wrong!

People became cruel. Politics became a game, its elite became like babies who are never satisfied with breast milk (power in this case). The government cared nothing about the masses causing the affairs and state of the masses to become a matter of "survival of the fittest.

Should the victims be blamed for living a life of crime? Should the masses be blamed for cursing a well wisher of their motherland?

I'm not the Judge, and neither am I an Advocate of Oppression and Injustice...I am the Well Wisher of every Akwa Ibomite who took out time to spread love today in remembrance of the state's independence.

I am a proud Akwa Ibomite and a good citizen of Nigeria urging you fellow citizens to uphold the good values we were once known for.

Akwa Ibom will be better.

Nigeria will be healed.

So regardless, lets spread love!

Ekom doooo.
(Greeting ooo).

#KenWrites24

#AkwaIbom