Paul Inyang
So it is the 55th birthday of my homeland. I am thinking about how to best serve my country. Incidentally, I am taking suggestions if anyone has them. Nothing is too little for me to do. Seriously speaking this has been my quest for in the past 10 or more years. If one senses some frustration on my part, then, you are probably right. Many of us have always felt we belong to this giant of a country but have never truly found a niche for ourselves. I am sure; I am not the only one because I also run into people who live permanently in Nigeria that share the same frustrations as I do. But mine is not quite the same as theirs—I believe. I could be angry but it would be a total waste of time. I and many share this struggle and/or anomaly. One should not have this difficulty. We who live in the so-called diaspora have had this struggle for a while. At times we are at fault for not being decisive enough to commit ourselves in such a manner but I will dare to say, that such people are in a minority. Some of us through no fault if ours, are caught up in the act of raising families at home and abroad. If you doubt it, checkout the figure of how much money is coming into the country from abroad.
A great many want to come back and be part of building this great nation but the truth is that the nation itself has not been so welcoming of our contributions. It is almost like having an out of body experience—one is there but not there. Many like me feel that when we come home—we are often welcomed and celebrated—for some time, until we are down to our last pennies. But as soon as we run out of money, we are discarded like worn-out shoes no matter how comfortable. We would not want to create scandal in the community, if we need a loan to get by. Gosh, if we dare to speak of the “national cake”—we are told of the difficulties in getting things done and are denied access to meaningful endeavors—no matter how talented or whatever our talent. The meetings are held later and later at night or we are simply dis-invited.
Imagine that you are from a country that does not allow your political participation by vote or through being a part of the process. The law says that people who reside outside of the country cannot vote—our constitution spells it out. We are nobody’s constituents. The politicians will come to visit and possibly raise some funds. They make promises that their dispensation will create room for our participation but nothing ever happens. Oh, the speeches are super colorful. The insistence is always that—one must be “on ground” as they say. When one is on ground the “cake sharers” cannot be found—accessibility becomes an issue. Then one must know someone, who knows someone else, who is going to take one, to wait for the person, whom you just saw in Washington, DC by simply making a call to them. They hardly remember your name. Go figure! They are usually keenly aware that time is your enemy and they wait you out no matter the authenticity and value of the project. For us, when the money runs out—one simply gotta go! If one dares to criticize them, then we are unpatriotic and are simply belly aching. Never mind that no third world economy has been successful without people in the Diasporas—you name it; China, Korea, Japan, Rwanda (yes you are reading it right—Rwanda), etc. They are actively recruited and in some cases pampered. That word Diaspora had become a dirty word—it is spoken in whispers around the big table and when one shows up the conversation stops. We are told to write proposals that end up in dustbins. Do we have to bulldoze the place down before we are considered citizens? Jeez why do we fail to see each other as benefactors of our many resources and work together?
Jare, this was supposed to be personal, so let me stop there, this was a personal note to everyone. I want to help build my homeland—I simply need suggestions. I am a psychologist. Surely there are people who need mental health services. We can start at the top with all our leaders. I am also sure there are people who need rehabilitation from drugs or substances—many have acquired the illness of the rich. What of the traumatized—oh, like the Chibok girls or are they still in the Sambisa Forest? Dr. Ohiro, please help. Are there children and adults who have learning disorders or educational challenges—Dr. John there you go! I Am calling on all my friends. What ills can we think of next that needs fixing—it is personal. Someone please help—I am waiting please! Happy Independence Day!