The drought continued for eight market weeks and the yams were killed. The year had gone mad. When the rains finally returned, they fell as it had never fallen before. Trees were uprooted and deep gorges appeared everywhere.
That year, the harvest was sad, like a funeral and many farmers wept as they dug up the miserable and rotten yams. One man tied his cloth to a tree branch and hanged himself.
Okonkwo remembered that tragic year with a cold shiver throughout the rest of his life. It always surprised him when he thought about it later that he did not sink under the load of despair. He knew he was a fierce fighter, but that year had been enough to break the heart of a lion.
*"Since I survived that year," he always said, "I shall survive anything."*
Extract from Chapter 3, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
As I reflected on the past year, I couldn't help but think of the touching passage from Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" that was widely circulated at the end of 2023.
The chapter describes a devastating year in Okonkwo's life, marked by drought and a terrible harvest. That year was so disastrous that it left an indelible mark on Okonkwo's life.
Many Nigerians echoed the same sentiment as Okonkwo at the end of last year with one article heading going as far as stating, "2023, Most Tragic and Turbulent Year in the Life of Nigerians"
That was a slight exaggeration but we get the idea. As we stepped into 2024, we were hoping for a better year but the challenges knuckled down and told us, "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Now, as we embark on 2025, I still remain optimistic despite the setbacks and numerous challenges. Why? I am Nigerian. We are resilient and adaptable (maybe too much), and there is always hope for a brighter future. Everyone knows the The mantra that keeps Nigerians going - "E go better."
May this hope drive us forward as a nation and may our collective efforts yield fruitful results.
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