New Year in Nigeria . . .

We are now almost an hour into the New Year in Nigeria. Reports of violence around the country over the past 24hours seem to portend trouble for the New Year.

I began to catch wind of the goings-on through the news feed streaming onto my sister's phone from friends' Facebook updates.

\"Another bomb blast. I won't be going to any large services this evening.\"

\"Breaking news: Bomblasts rocks Abuja at Abacha barracks\"

\"Violence in jos and ibadan as 2010 winds to an end\"

There has been no electricity for about a week (rumor has it there is no gas available to power the turbines) so I could not watch the news to confirm the reports. Now, we have the generator on for a few hours, and as I search online for related news and listen in on a news broadcast on television, I cannot help but say a prayer for my nation. With elections coming up in a few months, the tension in the air is palpable; the tone of local political talk, foul and disturbing; the people, wearied and on-edge.

I am hoping for the best. I am hoping for fairness, justice, and peace in the electoral process. Please keep an eye on Nigeria and keep watch with us in this new year. Most of all, please speak out on our behalf.