Fun Awon Eniyan Mi ("For My People")

By: John Obayomi, 8th Grade

​Fun Awon Eniyan Mi,
Whose artifacts were stolen by the British,
In the Kingdom of Benin,
When they arrived suddenly,
And killed our people,
Speaking a rubbish language here,
And with a nonsense accent there.

Fun Awon Omo Jesu,
Where there is also discrimination,
“Can you imagine?”
The Omo Cele’s,
The Ogo Kerubu’s,
And the Pentecostali’s,
All Fighting to be the best among the races,
With different cultures and traits.
Where church is life, all trying to make it to Paradise

Fun Awon Eniyan Mi
Black and Brown, Beige and Ivory,
Coffee and Mocha, Peanut and Hickory,
Cinnamon and Brunette, Ginger Bread and Syrup
So many different tones for one group of people,
Certain ones seen almost as high and mighty as a steeple.
The teacher told them that they need to shut up and speak English and that they should practice their accents every night.
But then again who asked you to bring us here.
I say again, nonsense people.

Fun Awon Omo Yoruba Mi,
Who are believed to do voodoo,
But are actually mostly Christian,
We are risen and stand upright to defy the works of the Oyinbo’s,
We are not illiterate, but one of the most educated groups of immigrants,
We are not poor, but one of the richest tribes in the country.

Fun Awon Omo Naija,
Who are seen as dull,
Don’t sull,
Go on, be great, you got this,
Show the world who you are,
Tell them say, “I am the star.”
The most confident people, we will not wither, nor will we falter.
Because We Are Nigerians.

---