I was watching a TikTok video this morning, a spoken word poetry piece on time, and it got me pondering. As I sat there, captivated by the pulsating beats and the melodic flow of words, my mind drifted to the essence of time in Nigerian society. In our vibrant and diverse culture, time flows like a river, sometimes gently caressing our lives and at other times cascading with an unstoppable force.

Time in Nigeria is not merely a sequence of moments ticking away on a clock; it is intertwined with our values, traditions, and communal bonds. As I watched the video, memories flooded my mind—memories of bustling marketplaces, where time takes on a life of its own as traders bargain, haggle, and banter with customers.

In Nigerian culture, we have a saying, "Time na money." It expresses the importance of efficiency and punctuality, for every minute wasted is a missed opportunity. This adage resonates deeply with the countless vendors who labor tirelessly under the blistering sun, their wares spread before them like offerings to the gods of commerce. Time is of the essence as customers swarm, seeking bargains and deals, the symphony of haggling filling the air.

Omotayo Tajudeen

But beyond the bustling markets lies a more profound relationship with time—a spiritual dance between the present and the ancestors who came before us. In Nigeria, we honor our past, our heritage, and our ancestors with great reverence. Time becomes a bridge, connecting us to those who have shaped our stories.

Just like the spoken word poet on TikTok, I too am reminded of the fragility of time. In a world where seconds turn to minutes, minutes to hours, and hours to days, we often overlook the beauty in the simplicity of a single moment.

As a Nigerian, I've learned to savor the small moments, to relish the laughter and joy shared with loved ones around a warm pot of jollof rice, the palm-wine infused stories exchanged under the shimmering moon, the rhythmic beats that transport our bodies and souls in unison. These moments, like grains of sand slipping through our fingers, remind us that time is not owned but only borrowed.

There's a profound wisdom in acknowledging that time is fleeting, yet it leaves an indelible mark on our lives. It teaches us to cherish every hug, every shared meal, and every conversation that weaves the tapestry of our existence. We are the sum of our experiences, the memories etched deep within our hearts, and time is the ever-present companion that quietly witnesses our journey.

So, perhaps, as we navigate the river of time, we should not be merely obsessed with catching its current. Instead, we should embrace the beauty of the ripples it creates, the lessons it imparts, and the connections it weaves between our shared humanity.

As I finished watching that TikTok video, I was left with a newfound appreciation for the nature of time, woven intricately with the threads of our Nigerian culture. It reminded me that in the profound and seemingly ordinary moments, there's time to love, time to dream, time to heal, and time to connect with each other.

Time goes with us silently and calmly without stopping. If we go on with it, it brings progress. If we chose to stop we are left behind.

Those of us who learn to dwell in the present, are the ones who experience the real joy. Those who live in the past or the future, the time takes with it the joy of several moments.

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