08/11/2026
My Name is Sikem
I was born today in history
The only birthday gift I need from you is to be a strong advocate of peace, Pray for peace to return in our home.
Happy birthday to me
… my beautiful Nso…
Land of peace.
Land of tradition.
Land where people used to sleep with doors open.
I remember those days…
Children running freely in the streets of Kumbo .
Women going to market early in the morning laughing loudly.
Priests and Shufais blessing the land peacefully.
That was the real Nso.
(Pauses sadly.)
Today… fear has entered too many hearts.
Gun sounds where songs used to be.
Tears where laughter used to be.
And it pains me deeply.
Because Nso people are strong people…
but we are also people of peace.
(Points proudly.)
Our fathers taught us respect.
Our mothers taught us unity.
The palace taught us wisdom.
The church taught us love.
So why should brothers become enemies?
…
Peace is what we need.
Because without peace: Schools suffer.
Markets suffer.
Families suffer.
Children suffer.
Even the land itself cries.
(Softly.)
I want to see Nso alive again.
I want to hear children playing football again at Tobin and PS.
I want people to travel freely without fear.
I want the sound of church bells and traditional drums to return louder than gunshots.
(Looks upward.)
May peace return fully to Nso.
Because no matter our differences…
…we remain one people.
Woooh Nso…
land of dignity…
May God heal our land.
