van bonattel:

Dont mind them with their lame excuses, instead of admitting he has no money to visit or that his papers are incomplete

ballabriggs: It is simple. You live in a country that does not have a quarter of the resources Nigeria has but they are able to organise themselves and use the little they have to uplift humanity. We cannot simply provide basic healthcare for our people in spite of the resources we have, how pathetic. You call it corruption, I call it cannibalism. It is people eating their own. True talk there and may God bless you.


Secondly it is absolutely false to say these guys do not contribute anything to Nigeria. Part of their earnings are capital flows to Nigeria in the form of remittances. That is a source of foreign exchange earnings to Nigeria. Also most of them spend their time studying abroad. That is contributing to the stock of human capital for Nigeria. I sincerely hope they realize this valid point In addition, some of them have foundations and societies that contribute to development in Nigeria. For example, some of my relatives and I in the US and the UK have a foundation and we know how much that foundation has contributed to humanity in Abonema our immediate constituency.

It is myopic to think most of them make no contribution to uplift Nigeria. They are not under any obligation to make known what they have done. The mere fact that they contribute in debates on Nairaland brings a diverse perspective Most Nigerians back home are myopic now to issues and the least that should be done is to appreciate them as Nigerians interested in Nigeria and not vilify them.

Burger01:
Mostly, papers are incomplete.. I know of two same blood  brothers who travelled the uk over 8 years ago. During this  period their mum departed and we all thought they would come home for their mum"s burial rites. Believe you me, we did not see either of them. On the said burial day, the elder brother who is my friend called and asked me sebi I know how jand be like nau, that he couldn't just come home like that. I answered sure I knew. Bottom line, no papers to travel come naija come do mum's burial. Visa got expired and he probably apllied for asylum.. Naija people in diaspora, wake up. Come out of your delusions...  

dare2think:

Do you know what tommorow has in store for them? You are already diminishing them, as though some people in Nigeria don't experience worse. No place is a bed if roses, and only they - the protagonists- in your story know what's best for them. Do they tell you how to run your own life?

People get stuck anywhere in life? Be it papers, money, or whatever.  People in diaspora should not make it seem as if all is rosy there, but people in Nigeria do not have the right to do the same either!

HiiiPower: Are those road sweepers at Euston and Victoria stations diasporans?
Are those on early morning cleaning also diasporans?
Are the security guards diasporans?
Are the care workers and factory workers diasporans?
Those are the majority of Nigerians outside Nigeria.
Heck, they live hand to mouth daily. Yet in the process
of gagging and trying to create new identities, they label themselves
as "diasporans" just to feel better than the rest. It's naff!

I'm Nigerian and I love Nigeria.

HiiiPower: What's "diasporan?"
I saw more than 50 Nigerian road sweepers on my way from work,
are they also "diasporan?" Life's hard everywhere and we all need
some senses knocked back into our oblong skulls, that we're Nigerians
no matter where we find ourselves.

If you feel "foreign" because you have lived outside Nigeria for a while,
then something is wrong with you. Those from those countries built their countries,
and they will discard you when your services are no longer needed.

Silly Nigerian buffoons!

ndu_chucks: There is always something frustrating about being stuck abroad while your mates are making millions back home. They blame Nigerian leaders for their failure while ignoring the fact that they themselves have personally contributed zilch towards the betterment of Nigeria. These people are in effect worse than the leaders they are quick to attack

Let me also add that a few of them return to run for various offices and start businesses, but these are exceptions.

Burger01:
Mostly, papers are incomplete.. I know of two same blood brothers who travelled the uk over 8 years ago. During this period their mum departed and we all thought they would come home for their mum"s burial rites. Believe you me, we did not see either of them. On the said burial day, the elder brother who is my friend called and asked me sebi I know how jand be like nau, that he couldn't just come home like that. I answered sure I knew. Bottom line, no papers to travel come naija come do mum's burial. Visa got expired and he probably apllied for asylum.. Naija people in diaspora, wake up. Come out of your delusions...

Anyigala: Nigerians in diaspora are disappointed not bitter. Disappointed because when you have lived in a country where things work the way they should and your country is not making any progress its bound to frustrate you and maybe to some extent make you bitter.

MacLovington: .

I also know of somebody who couldn't go home because he had exhausted all his annual leave at work and compassionate leave is only 3 days! He had all his papers. Rules have to be followed in some climes.

Your cousins were not the eldest children. Going would have been good though if they were able to. But many other circumstances could have caused it. For example, the waiting list at Naija High Commsion in London for passport processing can be up to 6 or 7 months after online payment! I waited for over 5 months for my daughter's. Except you pay £600 under the table. Meanwhile her British Kpale took 6 days to process. Oyinbo value their citizens.

A friend's elder brother told him not to bother to come for their dad's funeral and should instead add the ticket money to the money he was remitting to Naija for the funeral! I advised to go to Naija and pay khis last respects to his dad because years down the line the senior brother could boast with it that he single-handedly did their father's funeral while you remained abroad. I have seen such cases before.


Home Office (immigration) process of obtaining a residence permit can also take ages in their office. It took someone I know nearly 2 years as they kept asking for more documents. Maybe there were other details e didn't tell me. Meanwhile he had just used his 5 years stay and visited Naija many times.

I know of a youth corper wasn't given leave from camp for her grandmother's burial even in that same Naija. Civil servants in Naija only get a few days compassionte leave.

A friend's father died when his papers were being processed for 5 years stay at immigration. He couldn't go. His mother died five years later while his papers was being processed for indefinite leave (IL). He couldn't go. I guess some people would be saying he's illegal abroad going by your reasoning.

kennyeast: Funny thread,
@ op, I think u have a hanging bitterness about those in diaspora and see these reasons of urs as a means of venting it.
Who is happy about the situation of Nigeria? SUFFERING AND SMILING, why is it that ppl don't like it when u call a spade a spade?
U said Nigerians in diaspora don't contribute to the economy, let me tell u, every nigerian abroad sends more than 60% of their savings home into Nigerian banks, so u don't think that has any effect on the economy?
Someone made mention of Nigerians at home racking millions into their account, I'll tell u the truth, America is not as rossy as we think back in Nigeria, trust me I don't have millions in my account but the kind of comfort I live in with the little I get after tax, talking about my car and my apartment, so many millionaire back home can't afford it.
Finally, I know nigerians back home who call Nigeria hell fire. I knw some of us in diaspora go to the xtreem at times but its definitely not worth the thread.

Gbawe:


My brother, It is amusing to read talk about diasporan Nigerians envying their fellow Nigerians, based in Nigeria, "making millions". How many Nigerians are making millions? Besides, how are those millions spent if not to turn Private houses into fortresses and 'Islands' where citizens must provide their own electricity, water and security?

The misconception promoted about diasporans envying "better-off" home-based Nigerians is regrettable in my opinion. It stems from how Nigerians are materialistic and eager to quantify everything in relation to money. While some diasporan Nigerians may feel as you conclude , because of the "grass is greener" ethos, most are ultimately happy and pragmatically grateful they are not in Nigeria where it is "survival of the fittest" and a Paradise for the elites where ordinary folks are non-entities and virtually nothing works and you may still die of easily treatable ailments if you have no money.

A comparatively small number of folks may make millions in Nigeria but , for example, they will spend millions also attempting to educate their children privately , to the highest standard, only for that child to be no better than children of diasporans who have gone to State Schools in the West. Many things balance out.

Diasporans may work hard and face heavier tax/expenses obligations but a "cash and carry" society , dehumanising of as much as 60% of it's people, is not an envious model either.

I don't think anyone who truly puts issues in perspective would be comfortable with the model of nationhood Nigeria displays to the world. I.e hideous opulence for a few and terrible poverty for the majority. A better model would be a Nation where people, even if they feel they work too hard and pay too much taxes, still have all their basic needs guaranteed to the extent majority of citizens can enjoy a dignified existence.

linearity:

According to world bank, Nigerian in diaspora pulp over $10b into the Nigeria economy in 2011.

They did this without been a burden on the system, without using Nigeria resources,roads or pollute the environment with waste, etc....pure $10b cash dump....Yes, you living in Nigeria also contributes into the economy by spending your hard earned money....but you use that money to buy fuel for your car to pollute the environment, fuel on your generator to pollute, you contribute to waste in wastelands across Nigeria, you consume Nigeria electricity, water, roads, public parks, zoo, bridges, hospitals, stadium, etc......Ask yourself, who have done a better net contribution towards the betterment of Nigeria, you that burden and live off the system while you make your contributions or someone who does it without living off the system?

ochukoccna:
All those who you mentioned are the elites
Who do you think profits from the crazy way Nigeria is currently run
There's money to be made in Nigeria[tomes of it], don't get me wrong, but level the playing field


I think that is rather been simplistic
What of improved standard of leaving?
Except your dad is very rich to offer you that over here in Nigeria
Your dad probably went to school back when Nigerian universities where the ish
Currently even by African education standards[note African], Nigeria lags behind
All the BRICS& CIVET nations[emerging economies] have globally competitive universities
Check it up
Any wonder they are driving world trade& innovation now that Europe& America are stagnating economically?
But is Nigeria up there with them? A mono-economy
The world is only interested in our oil& large population which makes them money from exports
Go figure

HiiiPower: Are those road sweepers at Euston and Victoria stations diasporans?
Are those on early morning cleaning also diasporans?
Are the security guards diasporans?
Are the care workers and factory workers diasporans?
Those are the majority of Nigerians outside Nigeria.
Heck, they live hand to mouth daily. Yet in the process
of gagging and trying to create new identities, they label themselves
as "diasporans" just to feel better than the rest. It's naff!

I'm Nigerian and I love Nigeria.

coogar:

utter crap....
what would you have them do? online begging like the army of youths in nigeria? you see nigerians who are doing their jobs honestly and you are casting aspersions? it is from those menial jobs that many of them feed families @ home, build houses and support young ones in school. a security officer abroad earns more than most bank managers in nigeria - so i ask, what's your grief with a nigerian female cleaning euston station? there's more dignity in that than your sisters fücking politicians every weekend to make ends meet!

I would rather be a street sweeper in U.S, than be a "Kidnapper or Ritualist" in Nigeria!
I would rather wash Easton station in U.K than "steal money" meant for a Children's hospital in Nigeria, to live like a big-man in Nigeria!

jay bee: Thelastpope=> buzugee

thelastPope:

So let me ask you a question. If you are not happy with your family, will you go around talking them down and refering to them in degrading and despicable ways?

Imagine words like "that poo country". "That dung of a country". "That hell hole". "Do people still live in that useless place?" And so on. Please don't defend their bitterness

ndu_chucks:


Oga sir, you completely missed the mark this time arround. Your epistle does nothing to nullify the fact that the diasporans I referenced in my post, majority of who are working very hard abroad to make ends meet in a very difficult economy, find it very frustrating to be stuck abroad as economic refugees, while many of their mates are making millions back home.

M-16:
WE are bitter because we hate any thing Yoruba ,everything Yoruba is awkward so irritating living with ARCH enemy .Yorubas nan never like igbo's that is the nature ,you igbo's keep deceiving your self keep risking your life .,you mister buy and sell .stop putting all your trust on buying & selling ,there is no skill's on buying and selling .the only change suitable to over turn Igbo night mare is the development of science and technology ,make it law and ordinance and enforce education .with buying and selling you will not get to no where with out science and technology .OPEN your eye.
Yorubas are our arch enemy surrounded us everyday you know the truth

paris10:

As a "patriotic Nigerian", that should be a bad day for you! You see what we mean? Logic: When you see their mock shots all over the place, it places an everlasting impression on the minds of your white friends how bad Nigerians are. Don't you just get it?

Do you go about agreeing with your white friends that Nigerians are bad? Or would you rather correct their ignorance by asserting that the ones caught are just the bad eggs amongst 160 millions of us!

Think my brother and don't sell your birth right to the crackers!!!

ACCLIMATIZATION/ADJUSTMENT

After many years(variable) of doggedness, they finally learn how to live and thrive in an alien society, which is no longer alien to them.


They start gaining acceptance frm the citizens.