Thursday, 23 February 2012
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Why Some Nigerians Do Not Want to Relocate
Fela on Broadway crew at the Murtala Mphammed Int. Airport
By Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
More Nigerians come home to visit every year between December 15 and January 15, than at any other period in the year. I would estimate the number to be between 250,000 and half-a-million who arrive in the country by road, by sea, and by air – with the majority making the pilgrimage from Britain, Canada, and the United States. Increasingly, a greater number are coming in from Southern Africa and from the West African sub-region.
For many Nigerians, especially those living in the west, this is about the only time they can get time-off from their busy and scheduled life. And so, they treasure such times: to visit their homeland, to reconnect with friends and families; and to bask in the familiar. If you have been away for a while, there is this joy, this euphoric feeling that washes over you as you step on the grounds of your ancestors. Things may have changed for good or for bad, or for worse; still, there is this happiness that envelops you.
You need not say it, and no one need tell you, you just know it – you know this is your home. This is where you belong, the country where your umbilical cord was lovingly cut. Depending on how long you’ve been gone or how your experiences were abroad, you may even shed a tear. Tear of joy. At the very least, your eyes well up. And your heart may even skip a beat or two. It is always nice to come back home.
For many, the trip serves as a dry run to see if indeed it is time to finally relocate. Even though migration is part of the human experience, it is also one of the most painful of all experiences. But the degree of pain may depend on several factors: why they migrated; their failures and accomplishments; their general experiences abroad; the duration of their sojourn; and what may be waiting for them once they return home.
There was a time when the end goal of most émigrés was to return home once their mission was accomplished. Data may show that 80 per cent or more of Nigerians who left for Europe and for North America between 1952 and 1972, returned home. Data may also show that the number of returnees began to decline in 1976/77, and alarmingly by 1985. Between 1990 and 2005, some 90 per cent knew they were not returning to that “messed up country” any time soon.
Today, that number is about 98 per cent. Nigerians are moving to countries they otherwise wouldn’t consider. They are “checking out” to God-forsaken and far-flung places. It didn’t matter if these places are war zones, famine-ridden places, or places that were as cold or as hot as hell. Anywhere but Nigeria! Some even brave the hostility of the Sahara Desert just to get to Europe.
Many Nigerians living in the US would love to settle down in Nigeria. But many just talk and dream of returning home without actually implementing their plans. For some, it may not be a good time to move if the kids are still in primary or secondary school. This seems to be one of the discouraging factors especially if you consider the state of the Nigerian educational system.
There may also be a debate between husband and wife: one partner may want to return, but the other opposes it. And so it becomes a question of timing. You may also have other considerations, i.e. the number of years before retirement or before social security payments kicks in; if there are home mortgages to be made; what will be your source of income in Nigeria; do you have a permanent home; can you readily adjust your attitude to fit the Nigerian setting?
But really, many Nigerians living abroad have nothing to return home to; and on the average, it takes the typical Nigerian (in the US) 15-30 years to finally relocate. As they contemplate returning home, many will wonder if they will ever measure up to friends and family members who did not leave the country. And once they get home, many would be amazed to see friends and family who are now in positions of authority and have more money in their accounts than the returnee. After all these years in the US, I can barely get by. And so, in some ways, I envy my friends who never left. Nonetheless, I do not regret leaving Nigeria.
Every year I hear about Nigerians who returned home to success. Yet, I hear many more stories that may discourage even the bravest and the most gifted – Nigerians who return home and then run back to the US after a year or two (with horrible personal experiences in tow): tales of insecurity, non-functioning infrastructure, and of a weak and collapsing state. You hear tales of private and public violence (armed robbers, cults and gang activities, kidnappings and assassinations).
But above all else, it is the simple things that make life wonderful and joyous and meaningful and which are in short supply that’s the most deciding factor for many Nigerians. And, especially for me. For instance, do I want a cheeseburger with bacon or with mushrooms? Or both. Is there hot water in my shower or not? Or for that matter, is the tap running? And if I feel a sharp pain in my chest, would I or my loved ones be able to summon medical help?
And if I feel aggrieved, would I be able to seek redress in the court of law? In other words, choice and freedom! The freedom to choose or to refuse to choose. To be able to propagate my liberal and progressive views; to think for myself and be allowed independent actions so long as I am not violating properly constituted laws. I love Nigeria. And I want back in. But the space is just too limiting and tasking for me and for many others.
• Sabella Abidde is on Facebook. He can also be reached at: Sabidde@yahoo.com
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Home Sweet Home
Submitted by John ethagbe (not verified) on January 29, 2012 - 02:40.
I read with pains the comments of my brothers in Diaspora that he who fights and run away leaves
to fight another day.it is good to move around while you have the strength because as the saying goes,traveling is part of education.but remember that at old age you and your kids are bound to come back home where you belong.take the Indians,chinese and lebanese as a case study.They are all over the World searching for greener pastures and repatriating there wealth home to help build a country of their dreams because sooner or later they will be back home.
Be wise, help build a Nigeria of our dreams
Leaving Nigeria because of
Submitted by chukofor (not verified) on January 28, 2012 - 07:30.
Leaving Nigeria because of the way things are, is sheer escapism. So you go out and wait for others to solve the problems for you? Then you come back? That makes one a perpetual passenger. The mass departure of Nigerians, lets the steam escape, reducing the pressure needed to change the situation in Nigeria. I did a stint in Germany myself, and believe me, nothing you give me will send me back there on a long-term, let alone permanent, basis. And that is in a country where citizens don't carry guns, and crime rate is a fraction what it is where you live. I wonder then, if you can make the sacrifices you make where you live in Nigeria. One should not always live to benefit from the work of others, without making any contribution(s).There is an earlier comment from someone that seems to know you (the author), on your participation in the creation of lawlessness. Did you declare other people's properties "abandoned" and took it away from them?
Immigration have been part of human Experience
Submitted by Ola (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 17:32.
Immigration have beeb part of human exprience throughtout history of humanity. And they are people that have spirit of adventure, that no matter what they have in their country of birth, they still want to traveled to exprience other culture,value and enligtment. I have absolute no regret for my traveling to west and spend most of my adult life in two different continent. Traveling is not only about money, but is also education. I was fortunate to have been to many beautiful places on the planet and meet great people on my way in life. Is all about adventure spirit. But if we can have a visionary leaders, that can provide basic necesity of life,million of our people will return home. because there no place like home, the home that know you. We are so blessed with amazing beautiful continent, but leadership is our problem. But i am very optimistic about Africa, because Africa is the future. Everything that have beginning always have end too.
Abidde: Abandoned Property Man Speaks!
Submitted by Francis Otubelu (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 16:56.
False and pretentous piece by an Ijawman, the creator and benefactor
of abandoned property policy. If you know the above to be true, why did you and your men confiscate the homes of other Nigerians? Are you ready now to give back those homes to their rightful owners? Yeye liar and hypocrite.
Sabella thanks for your
Submitted by KS (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 15:49.
Sabella thanks for your article. I checked your details on Facebook and obviously you are doing very well. I am happy for you my brother. So just you know, you are not missing anything in Nigeria, trust me. Home is anywhere you can fulfil your goal in life. If the US treats you better than Niaja (which is obvious realy looking at your photos) you have no business stressing yourself with that shit-hole!! It is ok to go there for a visit, that's where it ends for me. The most important qustion you asked " And if I feel a sharp pain in my chest, would I or my loved ones be able to summon medical help?" so long as you can't answer that quastion in the affirmative in Naija, dont bother relocating there. I am still alive today because I left that shit-hole!! I am doing well where I!!!
Been there, done that
Submitted by Edwin (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 14:45.
It is refreshing to digest your candid perspective on why many Nigerians residing outside the country may not want to return home. I totally agree. I love my country, Nigeria. After living away for over 22 years, with 4 children who are now in their teens, I felt inspired to return home to give them (my children)an opportunity to bond with my people and country. So, I parked up with my wife (An African American) and returned home. I knew what the conditions were and that it might be pretty challenging. But I was moved with passion for country and an honest desire to in some capacity join the ongoing efforts in nation building.
A year and half later, I am back in the USA with my family for obvious reasons pointed out in your write-up. In addition, we were traumatized by a near attempt to lynch us, an action perpetrated by a frustrated mob of OKADA operators in Lagos. In all, I am so thankful that I did make the efforts and I am thankful that God preserved us. God help our Nigeria.
Feel your pain comrade
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 11:45.
I really feel your pain as shared by many others like you. It is unfortunate we are not able to get simple things done. There is no place like home. But when your home is not welcoming what can you do. We can only keep hope alive that we shall overcome soon. I love my country NAIJA.
Thanks for this educative and challenging article
Submitted by That Igbo Boy From Northern california (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 10:13.
I am glad some one penned down such an article,questions asked on this article comes up in my mind daily. I would love to relocate to Nigeria,the question is how would I fit in in such a lawless society where corruption and crime is endemic. I planned on visiting Nigeria with some group of engineers from a Silicon Valley Tech company but they got discouraged by the US department of states just because of the Boko Haram mayhem. I believe Sovereign national conference and good governance will call for competition which will eventually attract lots of US based Nigerian innovators. Thanks again for such a reflective article.
Emigration is a one-way journey
Submitted by Okike (Belgium) (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 09:48.
Emigration is a one way journey because it is a painful experience but you must be prepared to endure. You must also be prepared to complete the full circle.
There should be no room for emotions about where your umbilical cord is buried because in the current globalised world people are free to take residence in any country which promises a future for them provided, of-course, you are ready to contribute to development [and not fraud] in those places.
It is to the glory of emigration that we have such important countries like Canada, Australia, and even the United States.
Any Nigerian abroad who wants to relocate to Nigeria out of emotion should not forget to take along a strong nylon cord with which to commit suicide at the last moment when shame sets in.
Relocating home!
Submitted by Yusuf (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 07:23.
Well i think many Nigerians don't want to come back home bcos of the fear of not getting anything to do ,fear of struggle,wanting to achieve first in order to measure up with their peers,wanting to fulfill set task first,all these re some of the reasons i thnk but some people are just totally ignorant of facts,they prefer to suffer all kinds of conditions rather to return back home,they have turned to nuisance in countries all over the world,going into illicit trades and biz but they don't realise home is the best place to be bcos in any situation you can find someone to run to for help or assistance whereas in EU no such thing!
How did all of the stated started?
Submitted by Odafe Odafe (not verified) on January 27, 2012 - 05:23.
In addition to all that has been said is the fact that Obasanjo Olusegun is the individual who, after taken over from Murtala Muhammed in 1976, commenced his destruction of Nigeria and Nigeria's infrastructures. He started his attack with University students first by stopping free University education, free boarding or hostel, free feeding and everything. It was his time that Nigerians began to run from pilla to pole insearch of a better place to survive since Obasanjo, as the military head of states was out against Nigerians and Nigeria's youths furute.
Is that not painful to remember?
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