Iyke Bede
When singer Paul Orizu released his gospel track ‘We Are Green,’ he expected music to do what it does best: uplift. Instead, it stirred arguments. Friends told him Nigeria was finished, that nothing good could come from singing about its greatness. Orizu, however, thought differently. He doubled down on hope, insisting that words carry power, and that Nigerians must speak life into their nation.
That conviction gave birth to the ‘We Are Green’ Discourse, a gathering organised by Borngreat Nation in Lagos. Framed under the theme ‘The Path to Reclaiming Nigeria’s Glory,’ the event brought together voices from diverse spheres, including faith, entertainment, leadership, and social thought, all united by the belief that the country’s story can still be rewritten.
“I love Nigeria. And I want Nigeria to succeed… Nigeria is the only country we have at this moment and we should try our best to make it better instead of destroying the nation,” Orizu told the audience, explaining how the song had grown into a wider movement.
The discourse struck a balance between sober reflection and fiery optimism. Internet personality, Dr Charles Apoki, laid out a challenge: “Nigerians must first define the ‘glory’ they seek before chasing it. It’s only what is defined that can be refined. If we don’t define the glory Nigeria had, we can’t refine our present situation. The average Nigerian potential for enterprise is looking for expression. And when the legitimate avenue is not provided, there’s a tendency to go into criminality,” he said.
Entertainer Zaaki Azzay and leadership coach Nkem Mpamah added their perspectives, while urban planner Dr Hamzat Abiodun anchored discussions on structure and policy. The flow was held together by moderator Dr Hope Orivri, who reminded participants that national rebirth begins with telling stories of identity.
“We can begin a regeneration by telling our stories the way it is and the way we want to be seen. This discourse is the start point for us, that the conversations will continue on different platforms,” she said.
By the end of the session, the ‘We Are Green’ Discourse reinforced its purpose as a platform for unity and practical ideas, with speakers agreeing that reclaiming Nigeria’s glory requires collective responsibility and sustained action.
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