Choices! What will it be? #54

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The dove is a lovely bird that everyone loves. There are birds and there are birds. Amongst the birds, there are some which denote negativity and evil. Birds like the owl from that part of the country and the tribe I come from are said to be some evil birds. But you see the dove, everyone wants to be associated with the lovely bird due to its nature, character and appearance.

Do you care to know why many people love doves even when they haven't seen them before? I bet many people have only heard, read in books or seen on the television screen but have never seen a life dove before.

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• The dove is quiet

• It is humble and gentle. You'll hear the idiomatic expressions, as gentle as a dove.

• Has an enduring spirit. That's why it can run errands.

• Doves are intelligent

• Intriguingly, doves have the

"... capacity to find their way home over hundreds, even thousands of kilometres is unrivalled in the animal kingdom. This uncanny ability has seen them used for centuries to deliver messages to royalty, military leaders and other notable figures."Source

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1. The dove is a symbol of peace and love. That's why, most times when making peace accords, after a period of war or conflict, a dove is usually brought. This symbolises peace, a permanent peace in the face of chaos or conflict.

1. Doves symbolise holiness, especially the white ones, as I heard they exist in another colour other than white. That's why you see many church logos carrying the dove image. One of such is the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). You hear amongst the members mentioning dove TV, dove media, dove publications etc.

1. The dove is a symbol of quietness and tranquillity. Most times, it is to describe the Holy Spirit. As the spirit came down during the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.

1. It is known to be a symbol of new beginnings and freedom.

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In my country, Nigeria, the dove is usually used on the celebration of Independence Day, which is every 1st of October. Remember, Nigeria gained independence on October, 1st 1960.

So, after the President's independence message, it is usually followed by a brief ceremony where the armed forces take some moments to march and take parades. Afterwards, the president would make a comment/remarks, a dove would be brought, from which the president would send it away and the bird would fly away. Remember, the dove on this occasion usually signifies a new beginning.

In one of those year's Independence Day celebrations, the president, as usual, sent away a dove in the way it used to be. To everyone's amazement, surprise and deep confusion, the bird refused to fly away as usual. It was a scene of serious confusion and deep thoughts as to why the dove refused to fly, while Nigerians began to give different meanings and implications of the scenario.

Do you have any idea what doves mean or represent? Or, do you know the reason why that dove which one of the Nigerian Presidents sent away, and the bird refused to fly? I'll be reading all your contributions.

Thanks for reading!

I'm inviting
@chilaw and @missyleo to this contest