Chineke Na Kpo Gi – Josh Journal
Growing up in Lagos, whenever anyone says “Chineke na kpo gị” it was about to go down. There was bound to be “a throwing of hands”.
Looking back now, I can’t help but laugh at our ignorance.
As humans, we tend to fear what we don’t know or understand. To think that “Chineke na kpo gi” translates to “God is calling you.”
What exactly were we scared of?
I can’t tell you how many people picked offense from this. Or how many times it led to fights. All of which was absolutely unnecessary.
I have lost count of how many times I have seen a white person get offended that someone is speaking a language they don’t understand. Majorly in the USA and the UK.
Most of the time, they were not the subject of the conversation, neither were they being addressed. Why exactly must you understand what everyone else is saying, if not, they must keep quiet?
Whatever they have to say, don’t you think they will still say it whenever you are no longer there? So why are you bothered?
I think the root of this problem is a guilty conscience. Many people know the gravity of harmful and disrespectful things they say whenever the subject of their discourse cannot understand them.
They believe it must be the same thing when they are the odd one in such an environment.
You can imagine how funny, or foolish it sounded to me when I found out my sense of offense was misguided when I realized what “Chineke na kpo gi” meant.
Since then, if I don’t understand it, I assume it must be harmless.
There is no need to start a ruckus and when it gets sorted out, I emerge looking silly.
Truth be told though, Chineke na kpo gi. And there is no need to be offended.
You have a right to turn Him down. The consequence of turning Him down will be on you though.
I have chosen to heed His call. The choice is yours.
Wilson Joshua is a Video Editor, Content Creator, and Creative Writer.
Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. @IJOSWIL
Drop your comment below.