I don’t see any borders, do you? is a famous quote that truly has inspired me. I realize it’s so much about the perspective and imagination that essentially determines how we see life for us and others around us.
Being a true Nigerian at heart, I strongly believe this quote holds true. Nigeria is a wealth in itself, abundant in history, culture and tradition. It’s people share an energy that’s infectious, a love that’s universal. More importantly they share an empowering grit that’s unparalleled, irrespective of the region or state they come from.
Knowing Nigeria that I have known, this country is so much more than what meets the eye. Each region and state has its own legacy and richness that cannot be compared to its counterparts. There is a distinctive uniqueness every hundred kilometers evident through all walks of life. However, I often feel that Nigeria is largely overlooked and misinterpreted, not just by the world, but also by our own people. The world media definitely has a role to play with all the negative stories brought to highlight, thereby creating a perspective and image of Nigeria which is quite far from the truth. Moreover, it upsets me to observe how so many Nigerians know more about the United Kingdom than about their own country.
Being aware of this fascinating mélange of our culture and diversity, and the huge gap of awareness we at Diamond Bank came together to initiate a project that is unique to itself. In collaboration with an artist led, not-for-profit organization called Invisible Borders, Diamond Bank and DiamondTV launched “Discover Nigeria”! The essential aim is to map this diversity through a road trip across Nigeria; hoping, as a result, to underscore the borders that are both inscribed and elusive within the country.
The “Discover Nigeria” trip encompasses the following in brief:
- The team comprises 10 participants who travel together to explore and document their experiences through photographs, essays and short films
- Spread across 46 days, the team covers 16 cities starting and ending in Lagos
Yes, it sounds like an adventure, but its an adventure with a purpose.
I wish all the team members the very best of luck and make this project a ‘one of its kind’, leaving behind a legacy for more such future initiatives. You can follow the adventure on http://www.diamondroadtrip.com
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