JUNE 12 – CHANGE THE CHANGE

 

I’ve had conversations with many Nigerians in diaspora, and through these conversations, I realized that a large percentage of them really have the desire to be back in Nigeria, Including the ones who have already attained citizenship status in these various countries.

They want to be back to a country where they are recognized and not discriminated against; A society where there’s community life, accessible local food, and a much easier life. They just want to be HOME, because there’s no place like it. 

But they all have a request and a wish before they return. They’re not asking for much. From my conversation with them, I identified similar comments peculiar to them all, and that includes : 

1. Security 

2. Light

3. Good education 

4. Sustainable and accessible healthcare 

5. Motorable roads and more railway transport, Amongst others.

The first two options in this list are the most commonly mentioned. 

My dear Nigerians, is this too much to ask for?

Nigerian in London protesting for Change at Trafalgar Square Photocredit: Akintunde Babatunde

– A Nigeria where Nigerians can travel by road without fear of being attacked.

– A Nigeria where parents don’t worry about their kids getting kidnapped in school or on their way.

– A Nigeria where you don’t have to wait till your neighbor puts on his generator before you charge your phone.

A quick one: Just recently I was having a conversation with a lad who’s never been to Nigeria, and he asked me what I meant by generator, 😂… cos he’s never seen one in his life and doesn’t know what it is. Thank God for google. Lol… I asked him to google. Just so you know that there are people who don’t understand what electricity cuts are. It’s just crazy! 

– A Nigeria that offers them internet accessibility in order to connect to the rest of the world, and access knowledge. On several occasions, I’ve lost my way in London, and a few times where I’ve had to ask for directions, the first thing the people do is to go online. I also recall taking a course online but unfortunately couldn’t complete it because internet accessibility was super expensive for me. Mtn data of N3000 will run out in less than a week. I was literally doing ‘osusu’ for Mtn.

– A Nigeria that recognizes talent and skills.

See, there’s only one reason why young people are choosing to ‘Japa’ out of Naija, and that is to look for OPPORTUNITIES. And this is a sad phenomenon because Nigeria is losing resources. Yes, Human Resources! Skills and talent that should have been used to build the nation are relocating to find means elsewhere. 

This is not good!

Please give us Nigeria! Give us home! We want home!

No fight, No shooting, No killing, just CHANGE!!!

Nigerian in London protesting for Change at Trafalgar Square

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