I would have named my daughter Ohunene,
If I had walked the land of the rising sun,
Her name would have been Ijeoma
Were I from the abode of the Nupes,
My daughter would have been Kande.
If I had hailed from the Fulanis,
Her name would have been Hajo
If I had originated from the Kanuris,
Her name would have been Iyajalo
If I had come from the Dunga hills of Taraba,
Her name would have been Yelo.
If the Oduduwas were my blood-kindred
Moremi would have been my mistress,
If I had ventured into the land of the Akwa Ibom,
Imaobong would have been my soul mate
Were I a TIV prince
Dooshima would have been my queen
And Enuwa would have been my Idoma princess
Ah, i would have chosen Manre from Langtang
Were I from the Gbagyis
I would have chosen Yechenu
If I had wandered to the abode of the Kalabari
She would have been Timi
If Saminaka were my route
Rest i would find in Samira’s bosom
And if Katsina were to be my abode
Turai would have been ideal
But because I am who I am and not what I am
My daughter’s name is Iyeoma
And my homestead is Rukaiya.
Written by: Abdullahi O. Haruna Haruspice
Edited by: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
