Datonye Alambo, Nigeria "Who Am I?" competition finalist

	Datonye Alambo

The reality is I am in the middle of an identity crisis.

Sometimes I think I am a citizen of the world, united by a common human thread.

At other times, I see myself as an African - proud and innocent; then there are seasons when I am convinced that I am a Nigerian with a strong wave of nationalism blowing a current of patriotism all over me.

Sometimes I call myself a Kalabari man whose ancestral heritage is derived from the historic Abonnema stock.

There are periods when I try to ape foreigners too.

Like many Africans, I am a beneficiary of Western education and this has obviously impacted negatively on my culture and tradition.

I speak fluent English, write, dress and think in the white man's way.

TUESDAY'S FINALIST  I don't know much about my history and past even though I have mastery of what happens elsewhere. Tuesday's entry

In school I was taught to relegate my beliefs and customs to the background, failure to do so is described as primitive - or being labelled "village boy".

Everyday I create a utopia for myself using the cities and capitals of developed countries as standards of measurement.

The village is where I dread to go to, given my so called "educated" status.

I am alienated from my roots and ancestry. I struggle to speak in my native Kalabari tongue. I don't know much about my history and past even though I have mastery of what happens elsewhere.

So, who am I?

My answer is I am an African who has been polluted and desecrated by Western influences and values.

Consequently, a daily battle of supremacy goes on in my mind.

My heart tells me I am African, but my head tells me I am a foreigner.

For Alambo to win an expense-paid trip to the UK and Bush house, text VOTE TUESDAY to +44 77 86 20 50 85