Earlier this year on Big Brother Naija 2017, we witnessed the victory of Efe Ejeba who was humble, simple and original to the core. That was what sold him to the minds of not just his own people, but Nigerians in general. He wasn't pretending. He was being a truly Niger Delta(Wafi) guy and nobody could resist his realness.

A few years back, I went for a youth development program and at some point, it was time to eat lunch. The authentic me wasn't too comfortable with using fork and knife for eating Eba. I could say that most of my life I usually ate Eba with my properly washed hand, so I didn't see the need to pretend during the occasion.

I was served Eba and the waiter offered me fork and knife. I politely smiled, declined the offer and asked for some water to wash my hands. I didn't see the point forming for Eba, which in the comfort of my room, I comfortably devoured with washed hands.

It was fun eating because it seemed like all eyes were on me and I laughed at some of the failed attempts of other participants trying to eat the Eba with fork and knife. A few even had to drop their cutlery to follow my revolutionary pattern.

Sometimes, certain people(Nigerians) see me and they go on trying to sound too sophisticated about their English and at the end of the day come out really funny. And I'm like "Ogbeni! What's up with you na? Who you dey form that one for? Oshey baddest!" like it's unnecessary to speak that way to me all the time because truth is we are Nigerians, not Oyibos. Use the local dialect or pidgin if you have to. You come out real than forming Black American when we can see through it easily.

Originality really sells in today's world. We don't need to be acting like copies. We need to be more proud of where we come from, who we are and what values we hold to high esteem. It's pointless to keep pretending to be what we're not.

Because the truth about pretence is that: it doesn't last. It's more difficult and you're always afraid of being found out which limits you. Who says you must try to sound too classy all the time? Or eat your Eba in a particular way?

Aren't you proud of you culture? Aren't you proud of your nation? It's easier for you to thrive in this century when you're original. We need more unique people who aren't just willing to be conventional, but who are inherently dissatisfied with how things are and seek to make them better.

One who isn't original will always want to conform to the pattern or to fit in. The truth is: we don't always have to fit in. There's beauty in our diversity and uniqueness and that's why we're unique as Nigerians.

I hope we keep this in mind and try to be original and authentic wherever we find ourselves instead of a striving to be a copy who always follows the crowd. In a World where originality sells, don't die a copy. Being original is attractive.

Written by Ogbuchi Nigel Ikechukwu.

Ogbuchi Nigel Ikechukwu is an aspiring author, a blogger and an engineer who is passionate about helping people to live better lives. He is the founder of the inspirational blog, www.boldwinner.com

Email: ikechukwu.nigel@yahoo.com Twitter & IG: Ikenigel7_