Dike Chukwumerije's Made in Nigeria Show Is A Call For Patriotism

• 16 Oct, 2024
• News
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To think of a person, who is proud of his Nigerian identity, and not only that, but even using his art to unite millions of Nigerians, amidst the tension of ethno-religious differences, it is Dike Chukwumerije that will come to one's mind.

Mr Dike, who grew up in Lagos, before relocating to Abuja, is known for his poetry show tagged Made In Nigeria, which immerses audiences in a captivating 120-minute exploration of Nigeria’s history, weaving together poetry, dance, music, and theater.

What began as a poetry theater performance in Abuja in 2016 will soon evolve into a mega show staged across several Nigerian states. The Made In Nigeria show dives into the shared experiences, stories, traumas, and aspirations of Nigerians. Mr. Dike, now a legendary poet, observed at the time that despite Nigeria’s diverse tribes and cultures, it is wrong for Nigerians to discriminate between themselves because of simplistic categorizations like North and South, East and West, or Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.

Mr. Dike believes that Nigerians are more than just their differences. “The show has a message. And the message is ‘though tribe and tongue may differ’ there is indeed a shared brotherhood, and sisterhood, rooted in the years we have shared as Nigerians, and the many points of convergence this has given to us,” he shared.

Also at the TEDx Maitama event in September 2017 and the 23rd Nigeria Economic Summit in October 2017, Mr. Dike’s performance of his poem, “The Wall and The Bridge,” garnered public attention, highlighting the urgent need for national rebirth and a re-awakening of social consciousness.

The Made In Nigeria show encourages us to embrace empathy, love, and tolerance rather than judge others based on their tribe or faith. It emphasizes that we should assess individuals on their own merits. Because of this, many patriotic Nigerians have expressed that every Nigerian deserves to watch this show, as it offers a refreshing perspective that challenges mainstream narratives and conventional thinking. Mr. Dike explained in an interview that we desperately need new narratives, and that’s precisely what Made In Nigeria represents.