I was invited to a summit in January this year, which held in Akwa Ibom State. I was in Ebonyi State at that time. It was a great opportunity for me to visit the Southern part of the country for the first time.
As an admirer of mother nature it was going to be an avenue to take new pictures into my photographic mind.
On the said day, I set off on my journey. I journeyed through Uturu in Abia State, Okigwe in Imo State and Aba in Abia State before arriving Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Sitting by the windows of each bus I took (I don't joke with sitting on this part, so I get undisturbed access to great views😁), I couldn't help but admire God's amazing works. The trees, rocks, flowers and most importantly... The people. Yes, the people! This is what this article is about.
The 4 states I passed through had people in them. People who are just like you and I. Same body parts and complexion. I could only tell I was in a particular state when I saw billboards or sign posts with the state indicated on it. Without those, all states looked alike.
Each state mentioned as well as others, has distinct cultural heritage. Each also has a language peculiar to it. The variety of delicacies is also worthy to be noted. Most ingredients are found in the different states. For instance, the "afang" vegetable of the Akwa Ibom people is the same as the "okazi" of we, the Imo State folks (I am from Imo State). The method of staking the leaf is same in both States.
I could write about lots of similarities and peculiarities of these states but I will pause here.
Seeing that we are first "humans" before indigenes of any state, it is important we appreciate our differences. Yes, we speak different languages but we are all bound together in a geographical location.
Various festivals like the Ekong festival of the Akwa Ibom people, Ahiajoku festival of the Imo State people and Ekpe festival of the Abia State people etc, are what make each people unique.
We are beautiful people blessed with rich cultural heritage. We are unique and distinct. Acknowledging this fact would make coexistence healthier. Peace and growth would thrive increasingly as we see each other as brothers, rather than adversaries.
When next you come across non-indigenes, smile at them and appreciate their existence too. You know why? We are unique in our diversity.
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