Thursday 7 February 2008

Backwardness?

I was at uni today doing some work when a fellow Nigerian came to me so that I can help find the Dutch consulate's telephone number. We found the number online and he gave them a call as he wanted to book an appointment for visitor’s visa. When he spoke to the consulate, they told him that people from that Nationality (Nigeria) has to book 6 to 8 weeks in advance. He was told the policy on Nigerian Nationality changed since the beginning of the year. Well, I said to him that I do not blame any country taking measures against Nigerian. We have made our bed so let us lie on it like that. When other countries are moving forward, introducing break through technology, we are there battling with crime, armed robbery, killings etc.

I know of many Nigerians abroad who have given up on the country and would never want anything to do with it. I still believe there is hope for that country. As we are all identified by our skin colour (Abroad), When one Black person does something negative, it affects every black person. that negative act is used to stereotype everyone of that race (which it shouldn’t be because we are all different).That is why I preach for parents to show their children what it is to have integrity, be their children's role model.














Meanwhile, I saw a guy today at the bus stop (don't know where in Africa he comes from) chewing chewing stick. The type they chew in the village. I was looking at this man and was wondering, if he realised he had a chewing stick in his mouth (a big one for that matter). A friend of mine and I were speaking the other day and we were talking about how alot of Africans carry some of their habits overseas. I have seen women backing their babies while pushing an empty pram ( I wonder why they are carrying the pram in the first place?)It is acceptable in Nigeria but here it is seen as strange. The pram is there for health and safety. We also talked about wearing our native wears abroad. In Nigeria or other African countries, when we put on our gear, we look fantastic, fabulous but in western countries, how do you think we are perceived when we wear our attire? Do you think we are admired in it or do you think we look outrageous? (No preaching about national pride).

And finally, are there any Igbos or Hausas in the UK? I have met only a few. Thanks alot for reading. Now it is time for you to send your views. Lots of love from me.

1 comment:

  1. I'm strongly against the school of thought that sees African habits being exhibited in Western cultures as backwardness. How is it that Asians that come over to Nigeria don't do away with their traditions? e.g there are crematoriums in Nigeria because some foreign cultures don't want to go through the hassle of sending corpses home for cremation. Burning a dead body is the highest form of insult to the dead in most Nigerian cultures. If others are allowed to do their thing here, Why can't we do our own thing out there? As long as its not Yahoo-Yahoo and doesn't kill the next person, we should be free to express ourselves. I have heard it in some quarters that there are some medical benefits in using Chewing stick. If you want to chew your stick instead of using toothpaste , go ahead. If you choose to "back" your baby, go ahead, except if its against the law over there. If our mothers didn't put us on their backs, where would we be today? Do we expect mothers to start pushing prams on Nigerian streets where an Okada (Motor bike) might run into you?

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