He Greets Everybody on Azikoro Road Before Eating Amala
He Greets Everybody on Azikoro Road Before Eating Amala by Victor Oroyi
Victor Oroyi writes a short story on greeting titled He Greets Everybody on Azikoro Road Before Eating Amala to promote the culture of greeting in society.
Azikoro Road, is the unofficial name of the road dividing Ekeki and Amarata communities in Yenagoa LGA in Bayelsa State. Ekeki and Amarata are Epie-speaking people that are part of the host communities in the state capital, Yenagoa.
It is a popular road for many reasons starting with the Ekeki Central Park and ending with the Dickson’s led-administration constructed Julius Berger Bridge. Within the road is strategic public and private offices – the Ekeki Police Station, newly constructed Ernest Ikoli Media Centre by Governor Douye Diri housing the Radio Bayelsa, Gloryland Television and New Waves newspaper. The Nigerian Television Authority, NTA is one of oldest public media organization on the Road.
The Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ moved from its old headquarters around the Police Headquarters to Azikoro Road during the administration of Late DSP Alamieyeseigha as governor of the state.
Recently, Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa State erected solar-street light replae the old one that were long damaged for over a decade to bright the road. The road burtles with life at night with the new hot-spot Hamiliton Garden and other smaller outlet where people go and relax.
Walking up the street late Tuesday evening, I saw this man, he coming down and raises his hand to greet every persons he walks across. His action raises my curosity as I approach him. Getting to him, he left the discussion he was having with his partner to greet me.
In mind, do I know you? Surprise, he is somebody, I don’t know.
So, my curiosity is who is this man, where is he from and what manner of person is this, that still imbibes this rich African culture of greeting on a modern society even on a street?
A closer look at him, the man is tall, wearing is native attire with a cap packed to one corner like former President Obasanjo. I identified his ethincity and seeing him move towards the popular Amala Junction behind the Ekeki Park, I thought otherwise. Too many questions arose in my heart but let it end in my thoughts.
But my answers where found in a lady, who just entered a keke, looked at the faces of the occupants and turned her face around. I thought, is greeting a compulsory act?
There is need for us to preserve our cultural values as Africans. Greeting is an integral African cultural value that shows respect, courtesy and regard for humanity. It cuts across gender, age and personality. He who greets is a somebody that have respect, courtesy and regards humanity.
When next someone walk pass you, be sure to greet?
This short story on greeting titled He Greets Everybody on Azikoro Road Before Eating Amala is written by Victor Oroyi to promote the culture of greeting in society.
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