Nigerians' Permanent National Disinterest
Our Fixating Folly in "Where are You From?"
--Attorney Patryk Utulu*

That permanent interest dictates 'friendship' is a proven rule of international and municipal interpersonal relationships. Prioritizing core set of commonality and permanent "national interests" have helped nations transcend ethnic/cultural differences. Tragically, from Africa to Asia to Australia to the Americas, the first thing most Nigerians laser-in when they meet fellow Nigerians, is a hunt for each other's place of origin. Rarely is it ever enough that we are all Nigerians. A routine signature of their caveman quest for evidence of your religious or tribal affiliation is the question, "what's your name again?" And if your name doesn't provide an easy road-map to your religious or tribal affiliation many Nigerians would briskly follow up the intro by bluntly asking, "where are you from?"

Nigerians asking fellow Nigerians "where" they come from would not be so odd if it was not always the first question. I crossed a long "distance" in Moscow Kremlin, Russia, to say hello to a person I visually ID-ed as a Nigerian. I introduced myself (name and nation) and without even telling me his own name, his next statement was: where are you from? It has been charitably suggested that this question is so routine because people "just want to know." But there is more to it. I believe Nigerians ask the question as a learned national behavior in permanent divisiveness, and the "answer" enables us to affix to any Nigerian whatever good deeds, mischief -- or evil -- our parents and grandparents told us that the people of "where" s/he is "from," are capable or guilty of.

That you may never have been to "where" you "are from" makes no difference to those who ask. They feel entitled to it. They demand it and if you object to the question, accusatory glances follow, and a relationship can sour even before it begins.

If you comply they consume it. Thereafter, IF THEY DEEM YOUR RELIGION OR TRIBE 'OK', automatic trust and friendship ensue, and they are likely to support you views even if you argued that each day consists of 27 hours. But if, heaven forfend, you "are from" a wrong religion or tribe, they will place you on permanent probation. Meaning that, they will tolerate you for as long as you swallow their viewpoint and say things they want to hear. But any passionate disagreement on your part, especially on matters of national importance, they will briskly dismiss, sine consideration of merit of your views, as evidence of your tribalism...or bigotry.

I know of what I speak. As Executive VP of Nigerian Diaspora the sort of petty tribalism I am frequently called upon to "adjudicate" among men and women with Ph.Ds can be so relentlessly poisonous that I once caught myself sympathizing with Socrates for drinking hemlock.

That two or more people are Nigerians should be enough basis to start some conversation. Nigerians should NOT begin intro by asking fellow Nigerians, "where are you from?" STOP IT!!!

******
Attorney Patryk A. Utulu**
U.S.-based Attorney & Strategic Communications Specialist
Global Defense Analyst and Global Events Commentator
Executive Vice President, Nigerian Diaspora-North America
Executive Director, The Center 4 Community Empowerment & Lifeskills, Inc
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strength in unity is what your enemies use to deceive you to lower your guard.

you are safer with your kin. Nigeria has taught us that however we need to rebuild bridges not dig up moats.






its starts with u!

Where are you from?....am from nigeria