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| New Wine ... Old Vessels? |
| Friday, December 29, 2006 |
I remember thinking when I first came to America "Why do Nigerians who have lived in this country not bring back some of the values they have learnt from here?" Like people build houses with no sewage system! I'm not saying it is their responsibility to turn Nigeria around, who knows ... maybe they tried and did not succeed but I must confess that our generation that are going back to Nigeria after living here have not impressed me so far. I think its really great that we have grand resturants and fancy-schmancy hang-outs but really on a scale of 1 - 10, how important are those things? I haven't heard of any involvement in charity work, haven't heard much about contributions to life improvement. I honestly do feel a tad bit letdown. If our world is going to revolve around the latest shoes, hangouts and celebrities, what message are we sending out?
I worry because I am considering moving but I wonder if the few dollars in my pocket and my Amerigbo accent will get into my head and I will leave my original intentions for gallivanting to the latest and the greatest places. That really troubles me. Because criticizing other people's actions and intentions is very easy but looking deep into my own soul and digging up my innermost motives can be the hardest thing to do. |
posted by lala @ 8:42 PM  |
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| 2 Comments: |
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I recently heard of a charity movement called "Fusion" sponsored by people of this younger generation (I think they had their first charity event in Nigeria this christmas, was supposed to go but couldn't make it)...I think we're heading somewhere. Never mind those who have gone before you, it takes just one more Martin Luther King to start a movement...it takes one person who is deeply moved to be a leader...
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i worry the same things, and i keep talking to people who have moved back in the past 4 years or so, asking them whether they feel a sense of responsibility to the country. they always claim that it's too difficult, nigerians are too resistant to change, bla bla bla, but i know of an amazing young lady named kaine agary who has not let any of these things stand in her way. she gave up a lucrative job in the medical field here, moved back to nigeria to start an NGO designed to help young people in the Delta be more productive, has recently published a novel called Yellow Yellow, and has started a public newsletter whose purpose is to educate the less-educated public about the rule of law so they know their rights and don't take crap from the authorities. if she can do it, why can't anyone else? people in nigeria are WAY too concerned with life's frivolities; planning for an organized, healthy future is not in the consciousness of most people over there, and i honestly cannot figure out why. i understand that instant gratification is pleasurable, but surely we are used to sacrificing the pleasures of the present for the fulfillment of the future by now?
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Name: lala
Home: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
About Me: I'm an introvert. I love challenges and the "path less taken". I have discovered that life more of a journey than a destination so I try to enjoy each day. And if you've never failed at anything then you haven't tried anything outside your comfort zone. Right now, I have a love/hate relationship with Memphis. I love the city because the people are very friendly but careerwise, this place will be a dead end for me.
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I recently heard of a charity movement called "Fusion" sponsored by people of this younger generation (I think they had their first charity event in Nigeria this christmas, was supposed to go but couldn't make it)...I think we're heading somewhere. Never mind those who have gone before you, it takes just one more Martin Luther King to start a movement...it takes one person who is deeply moved to be a leader...