To Our Hurricane!

Olumide Makanjuola        (image sourced from:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4925168935762&set=pb.1494540329.-2207520000.1467128701.&type=3&theater )

Dear Olu,

Who said the world won't be a better place? Who said we will not win? Who said the lives, dreams and work of LGBTI individuals, groups and activists will not flourish? Who said you will not shine, Olu? Who said you are a mistake, that you are lost? Who said that you are cursed or forgotten? Who said you have failed? Who?

Who has not seen nature water her own or God bless His own? Who has  not seen Olumide Makanjuola or the hurricane he has become? Olu, who said that this and more won't happen in your life time? Who ?

Let them  see you flourish like an alamanda fed by the purest of rain. Let them come and see you win, like an athlete who runs the race for his race, like lightening blaring fearlessly across an eclipse. Olu, like the hurricane that becomes the very weather, the status.

I am proud of this honour bestowed you. But more, I am proud of you. You have made Nigeria charm the map. Your work and sacrifice, amongst other things, are making the dark continent glint for the world to see. You and all African LGBTI rights activists stubborn enough to remain on the field. Wreckless enough to stay alive,  and blessed enough to succeed inspite of all the odds. Our dreams will come true. And these fears will become few.

Let your work be watered, Olumide. And your petals flower. May the forces of opposition recognise the army you stand for and the sunshine that you are. May all those who march with you be filled with God's Grace and stamina. And may results succeed results.

Kai! I am proud of you egbon. I am happy that I share this age and struggle with you and all other hurricanes out there like Dorothy, Rashidi, Mike, Seun, Ifeanyi, Jide,  Davis and the list could never end. I am proud that you all take struggle seriously and fight very hard to win. I am proud that you all have proven that we are all in this together regardless of where are or what we are doing. That we can all be part of this struggle with whatever we can do and however we can do it.

Even with stories like Orlando and Akinfessi, there are stories like the pride and our hurricanes, like you, Olu and who all who march with you. You and everything you stand for.

Congratulations on your receiving the Queen's Young Leaders Award. It's a victory for you
, it's a victory for us all. We are are pride of you, our hurricane.

Warmly,
Nnanna