For the beginning of October, I've chosen this poem by Chidi Anthony Opara. The poem is called "Yet Another 1st October." The 1st of October is Nigeria's Independence Day holiday, like our 4th of July, but it sounds like there's nothing to celebrate. Makes me glad to live where I do and I feel very lucky.

The author's biography is below, and it's very interesting.


Yet Another 1st October

This is yet another 1st October,
When hapless and helpless Nigerians,
Denied purposeful leadership,
Sing the uninspiring anthem
And salute half torn flags.
This is another (un) national day anniversary,
When pretenders to leadership
Installed onto power
By fraudulent power mongers,
Move arround in peacock like arrogance.
This is yet another (in) dependence anniversary
Of a failed Nation.
The parade grounds
Are littered with colourful parades,
With paraphenalia of governance,
And the masses gaze with mouth wide open
At unbridled squander of the commonwealth.
This is another 1st October,
When orators mount rostrums
To deliever platitudes,
Speaches that say nothing.
This is another 1st October,
Another of Nigeria's (un) national day celebrations,
Another (in) dependence anniversary celebration,
Another 1st October.

Chidi Anthony Opara



Biography of Chidi Anthony Opara

Chidi Anthony Opara Comrade Chidi Anthony Opara is a Nigerian Poet and News reporter. He was born on the 8th day of August,1963 in Umude Avuvu in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria.

He had his primary education at Community Primary school Umude Avuvu from 1971 to 1977 and his post-primary education at Enyiogugu Secondary school in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state, Nigeria from 1977 to 1982.

He obtained a professional diploma in Advertising from Century Communications Academy New Delhi India in 1985 and subsequently, worked in the private sector where he rose to managerial positions and thereafter, became a private consultant.

While building a career in the private sector, he was writing poems which resulted in the establishment of his poetry website titled 'HOMELAND MELODIES AND OTHER POEMS' on which his collection of poems are published. He published thought provoking poems like 'DO THEY KNOW IT'S CELEBRATION TIME? ' on Poemhunter.com.

He also published poems on AuthorsDen.com and on other reputable websites.

In November,2007, he became a member of World Poets Society(WPS) , a literary organization of contemporary Poets from all over the world.

In December 2007, he founded an internet based non profit making public information project called 'chidi opara reports', where he is the Publisher/Editor-in-chief.

He was inducted into the membership of Association Of Nigerian Authors(ANA) in November,2008.

He published a collection of poems titled 'Homeland Melodies And Other Poems ' in November,2008.