By Sunny Awhefeada
I do not know why countries or nations are thought of in feminine forms (she/her). Perhaps, it is a strategy to endear us to the place of our nativity and create a bond, the kind that exists between a mother and her child. Growing up, we sang songs that endeared Nigeria to us. Our young and impressionable minds glowed with noble ideas to which our sonorous voices gave clarion utterances. Men and women who lived generations before this era also thought of their place of birth in endearing terms and they went to war in defence of their homeland.
Empires and kingdoms rose and fell in battles to defend the homeland. Even Nigeria’s national anthem and pledge have memorable and endearing words to configure our allegiance and love for “our beloved country”.
