The drums are out
let the dance commence
for the jewel on the river bank is three decades old
from a fledgling, she now struts into adulthood
and those she birthed throng around her
to show off their alma mater
bringing forth as their offering
the laurels they have garnered

Today is the day
the genga, the indyer, gidor and okanga will mingle
in a polyphonic melody

For “BSU at thirty” we dance
for the first citadel of the state
that the windstorms and fiery darts did not topple
she is stately; she is majestic!

As a cactus that outlives an inclement terrain
the arrows, the ordure thrown at her
was manure for her growth
the mud slings were oil for her shine
the flowers are out, so are the motley crowd
all bearing garlands
for a Queen is thirty

Let us preen; let us leap in delight
in agile girinya, the young ones
while the elders take their regal steps.
For today, the drums beat polyphonic rhythms
for nothing should be spared in this celebration

The stars and starlets are out, gleaming around the Moon
basking in the light she sheds
let’s line the streets with garlands
and shout with joy
for the queen is thirty!

After one more score and ten, we shall stand again for a regal diamond jamboree
and gleefully rejoice with her, who has scaled hurdles to become
the crowned jewel on the river bank.

Professor Leticia Mbaiver Nyitse is a foundation lecturer of the Benue State University, Makurdi where she teachers in the Department of English. She is currently working on a novella and a book on gender, that seeks to explore the dimensions of women’s lives as wives, mothers and workers.