'Verse To The Girl Child' - Written by Banky W

Banky W surprised the audience at an MTN Charity Event this morning by reciting this poem entitled “Verse to the Girl Child“. The verse was inspired by a quote from UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon.

The poem and the way Banky delivered it elicited an emotional response from the audience at the event so we thought to share with you.

    VERSE TO THE GIRL CHILD

    What frightens the extremists and really gives them the spooks?

    There’s nothing scarier to them than a girl with a book

    Not a soldier, or a bomb, or a gun, or a landmine

    There’s nothing more dangerous than her enlightened mind

    So they kidnap, and enslave, and try to stand in her way

    And they rape, and oppress and try to make her afraid

    Because they know, that for sure, she’ll grow up one day

    And when that day comes, she’ll be strong enough to bring change

    So respect to the girl child, you’ve got grown men scared of you

    Salute to our future Chimamandas, and our Tiwa Savages too

    To our future Oprah Winfreys and our Maya Angelous

    Because we know you will grow, and your success is inevitable

    They can try to fight it, and they can try to deny

    They can kidnap at night, and they can try to terrorise

    But may nothing and noone ever succeed in snuffing out your light

    And that little light of yours, will one day shine bright

    They say the truth will set you free, well this is the gospel truth

    There’s nothing more powerful than a girl with a book