Nigerians In Diaspora Let’s Contribute To The Society We Live In.

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Halloo,

My fellow Nigerians in Diaspora please come let’s reason together. I am also inviting all Africans in Diaspora to come too. These matters concern us all. What are we contributing to our host countries?

We have all been given great opportunities here. I hope we view it as such, no matter the circumstances. There has to be a purpose or reason we left our home countries and set up base in foreign lands. No matter what these reasons are, let us be a good ambassador of where we came from.

The opportunities given to us are to be used in such a way that it will open doors for others. Instead of contributing meaningfully to where we live, Some of us go about dirtying Nigeria image and closing doors of opportunities on other people.

Some of us don’t integrate into the society we live in. We have a deep suspicion of those around us, accusing them of being too nosey if they try to talk or considered themselves too good to interact with us if they leave us alone. What efforts are you making to interact with your hosts?

We shroud ourselves in so much mystery. It is a known fact that people resent what they don’t know or understands. If we don’t make the efforts to interact how are our hosts to know us, know about our culture, know about our ways, and know what is important to us?

Nigerians and Africans, we need to broaden our minds and check our attitudes. Creating troubles, picking fights, and all bad behaviours are not something to be celebrated or encouraged. A multicultural society works if all parties respect each other. We should strive to be understood as much as we want our hosts to be understanding.

I have lived in Ireland for close to 19 years now and I know some people who have been here longer. Some of my fellow Nigerians say and do some things that are really troubling to me. Many of them are not even aware of some of the pressing issues in Irish society but know everything going on in Nigeria.

I have no problem with them knowing and interested in what is going on at home but show the same commitments to where you live too. Be part of the progress here too. Make it a priority to give back to where you live.

How are we to contribute to the society we live in when we show little interest in what is going on? Remember you are raising your children here, contributing and taking interest in what goes on here is building a future for your children.

Talking about children. Have you wondered why some children don’t integrate well here or turn out to be a public problem with anti-social behaviours? My suspicion is that this maybe a result of some of the utterances and actions of some Nigerian and African adults in their lives.

Some Africans tell their children- ‘You are not Irish’, ‘Stop behaving like a white person’, ‘We don’t do that nonsense in Africa’, or such statements like these. Please will it hurt to just correct a child’s behaviour without turning it into profanity?

Many won’t let their children mix with the other children except in Churches or Mosques. Just so you know you are creating stateless children; they don’t belong in Nigeria or your home country and they don’t belong here in Ireland or your host country. I wish you knew how much damage this is doing to their mental health?

Some of these children have never been to your home country, or only go once in a while, or if they are lucky, go once a year. These brief visits are not enough for them to absorb the culture and ways of your people. Most are even treated like royalty by their extended family for the short period they are there. And you want them to behave like the people in your home country? Use your head!

Some Nigerians in Ireland drum into their children only what is wrong in the society they are living in; they have nothing good to say about Ireland. Yet conveniently forgetting that they choose to move here and can easily leave if they are not happy. I know that I am rubbing some people off the wrong way, I make no apology for that. This is my page!

Some Africans in Diaspora go as far as trying to change the ways and beliefs of their host countries citizens through preaching and propaganda. I find this very annoying and I am an immigrant too. How then do you think the hosts feel?

Look at it this way- You invite someone into your house for dinner. When the food was served the visitor starts dictating how everyone must eat at the table. How would you feel? This will cause nothing but friction. Nobody likes being told what to do, especially in their own homes.

People may think I have never been racially abused in Ireland that is why I am saying these. Far from it, I told you I have lived here for almost 19 years now. Like many African in Ireland, I have had my fair share of racial attacks. But I have also enjoyed many benefits bestowed on me by some Irish people. I think I will be an ingrate if I call all Irish racists.

I am always against generalizations in any form. Many Nigerians should be familiar with the dangers of generalization. How many times have you seen or heard all Nigerians being labelled as fraudsters? Countless times. Each time my blood boils.

I am a Nigerian; I have never defrauded anybody in my life and I hope I never do till I stop breathing. So, if it upsets us when we are lumped together with fraudsters, why lumped the generous and welcoming Irish people with those who attack us? Fair is fair.

The behaviour of some Nigerians in Diaspora, their actions, and their utterances make it hard to want to associate with us. Check Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, see the many degrading chat shows by some Africans in Diaspora. I know that other people from other countries do these appalling shows too, I am not from their countries. I am speaking about my country, my continent, and my people.

I know that no matter how loud we shout out some people will never change. To those who want to do better, I salute you. Nigerian in Ireland and all over the world, we can make a change for the better in our own little ways. Our homes are here now, I mean right now. I know it may change tomorrow, but why not make your impact felt while you are here?

Home is where you lay your head at night. Home is where you watch your children grow. Home is where we feel safe. Home is where the heart is, the heart is where fulfilment is. I think fulfilment is where we earn our keep.

Let’s get up and do what we can to contribute to our host countries. We have opportunities many people are dying for, please let’s not waste these opportunities. Think about what you can do to show you appreciate what God gave you by leading you to where you are now.

There is no harm in improving yourself once you are not just doing it to take advantage of the system. Improving yourself is not just about going to school, not all of us have heads for studying. Learn a skill or put a skill you already have to use; no job is too small. Let’s leave any sense of entitlements out and be a proper citizen where we are.

A big shoutout to women who stay home to take care of the children. I don’t think they are recognized as professionals by some people. I think they are, especially those who take it seriously and do all in their power to develop well-balanced children for society. I am proud of you all. Thank you so so much.

So, I am going to leave it here. I hope that this post is not considered as a way to attack anybody. I am just putting my observations out there. I do think that changes are needed badly by some Nigerians and some Africans in their outlook towards where they live.

Please, feel free to send me your opinion, observations, or criticisms on this post in the comment section below. Thanks a lot for reading.

Stay with me,

Ruka

About Post Author

Ruka

My name is Ruka. Born and bred in Nigeria. Now living in Ireland. I am a Woman, Feminist, Wife, Mother, Muslim, Black, and African. I am an Entrepreneur who also works in Finance Administration. I am a Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Warrior. I love writing and hope to make a name for myself doing it.

rukaganiyu5@gmail.com

https://www.rukasplace.com

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