Adekunle Theophilus

Europe is evocative of so many things to many people worldwide. But to many Nigeria youngsters, it represents a place where the streets are paved with Gold, lands of countless opportunities, nirvana, where money grows on trees and the only thing is just to pluck it. But to the informed, these things are pure fiction. The truth is that people whether indigenes or immigrants face herculean challenges in their respective struggle for existence. The non-citizens are not particularly in a vintage position, worse off are the non EU, who face multiple problems from the weather, environment, culture, food etc

It is in light of the above context and the way things are tough for all here, that I find incomprehensible that some people with no qualifications, no knowledge about European towns and absolutely having no acquaintances keep rushing to Europe.

Even some of us with livelihood still find it tough, my brother it is not easy! Italy is expensive and I make bold to declare that unless he or she has a very good job, any body flaunting money back home from Italy must be engaged in some shady activities.

My day out exemplifies the contradictions inherent in Europe and a lesson for our youngsters that nothing is free here. What one sees here at times not only begs belief, but is at variance with rationality and utility especially from one's stand point and background. I had just rounded up some activities in the town and was seriously thirsty; I entered a nearby shop (not upscale) to buy bottled water (small size). I picked a very small one. I quickly drenched the water and handed the attendant 50cents and was on my way out of the shop when the man said 1. 50Euros. I almost puked out the water back into the bottle, reseal it and give it back to him! Na so I begin dey hala, I blow hot air, I begin speak all the grammar wey dey my reservoir, preposterous, ludicrous, anomalous, subliminal, outrageous. I started an epistle about Nigeria, saying the value and utility of this water is invariably and intricately at variance with the qualitative nature of the sachet water.

I affirmed with an air of confidence about my country that pure water at 1cent is better than the water he sold at 1. 50euros, grudgingly I gave him the money but with a parting shot that it borders on the inexplicable, macabre and unimaginable to buy the water for close to 300bucks, even Sheraton no fit dare am!

I didn’t know that a greater shocker lay ahead for me. I went to pick a bus pass, as I had been boarding taxis and using tickets all the while. The slip I had showed I was to pay 2. 60, but on bringing out 2. 60Euros, the woman said 30Euros. On doing a mental conversion of the rate in naira, I almost developed HBP, I asked her for what?, I now told her that probably she made a mistake or she had someone else’s slip in front of her! That she should examine it well! Na so she fire back say the mistake from my organization's end and my slip was before her. At that point, I was a bit petrified, spending 30euros on bus pass? I come say (my consolation) at least that one go cover for the year, she say no one month! I shout one month?

At this point, I come change to Italian, I said caro (expensive) ! cosa (what) ? 30euros fare l'autobus? imperfetto! quanto costa pa gionata? Non capisco (I dont understand) Non mi piace (I dont like it). The woman just dey look me! If not for the fact that they have already fed my data into the computer, I for withdraw am, I come ask again say u mean I will be paying 30euros per month on bus rides? Si she replied, at the same time smiling and laughing. (I now realized why more than 50% of people don’t pay bus fares) In the midst of doing some mental calculation of the amount I dey pay per month and all associated costs (I don comot extracurricular activities from my lexicon) , I wondered aloud how long can one work before one can save something tangible?, in was in the midst of my critical thinking and ruminating that , the woman called me and just gave me her number!

Not all be bad news at all today, we'll be going to either Budapest, Regensburg or Ljubljana for three months early next year, Germany is better and less expensive. Trust me , I come ask Professor (these Italians na wah ooh, u know say if you no be professor, u cannot lecture in an Italian university) Prof Iglic (the purveyor of the good news) make she give comparative analysis of standard and cost of living in Slovenia vis a vis Italy!, she say her place dey cheaper!

So the point iam trying to make is that no where is easy in Europe!, cost of living in high in Europe, Nigeria is cheaper to live than Europe, my house rent alone per year is capable of making me stay somewhere very nice in Lagos!, but here I am (make I keep quiet). In Europe, hardworking folks are struggling to make ends meet and to survive. I ve been around here and seen what is happening!, so when next a brother sends you money via western union, no think say na awoof!, na hard work and toiling! If not for the way, we have individually and collectively finished this country, with our resources and potentials, I don’t think any European country should be better than us, but we have cashed all our cheques and squandered everything!

Adekunle Theophilus is based in Italy

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 15.10.2008 07:42

baba kura  JJC

# 2 He who have ears let him hear. Gbogbo ohun to'n dan ko ni wura (all that glitters is not gold) and Bi ode ba ro ise ti ode ba ro iya to ba p'eran ko ni f'enikan je (if the hunter factors in all the troubles and pains he would not share his kill with anyone). Posted by baba kura| 15.10.2008 09:56

AISAGBON OMOGIADE  Villager

# 3 If this write-up is meant to discourage unskilled Ngerian Immigrants from coming to Europe to face hardship,the author has done a great job but if he is based in Italy and does not know where a small bottle of water can cost as much as €2.000 that is unfortunate. The cost of monthly bus fare varies from city to city.It is €32.00 in the city I reside.Nigeria is obviously cheaper and would be better for those who would want to engage in crime to make qiuck money. Good article anyway!! Posted by AISAGBON OMOGIADE| 15.10.2008 16:05

Ewuro  Villager

# 4 If you work and earn in italy/europe 32 euro a month for transport may not be too much. Even on minimum wage. Conversion of euro to naira makes it expensive. Pay structures, running costs, additional services, taxation and many more are different. Compared to the UK, Italy sounds cheaper. Posted by Ewuro| 15.10.2008 16:35

Anioma777  Villager

# 5 Hmmm.....Italy is about the only western European country I have not visited. It might remain that way:D. Then again London is not cheap, and I still think it depends on where you live and your expenses Lagos seems crazy expensive for some things. ciao !!!! Posted by Anioma777| 15.10.2008 19:08

kpekere  Villager

# 6 Tank you! I be wan talk am, but I say make I do calculation first! 30 Euros for bus pass and my guy dey hala! What of those wey dey pay over £57/month for bus pass for London? According to today's FX rates 30 Euros = 23.40 GBP = N4,731.35 73.19 Euros = 57 GBP = N11,545.61 (See? well over half of what we pay here) Dem say make who no get shoe thank God, because people dey wey no get leg. Some advice Try not to convert to naira, as doing so is extremely hazardous to your Resting Heart Rate (RHR) Posted by kpekere| 16.10.2008 10:38

IkennaUgwu  Villager

# 7 ...Italy is such an amazing country...full of history and rich in architecture. It is for sure a choice destination for people who are loaded and want to offload or people who are just ok...I cannot say the same for all those who look up to going to Europe either by hook or by crook...compared to most other countries in Western Europe, it is expensive but that is because many shops target tourists. If you live in Italy like I do, there are many ways to beat the price thing...One of this is actually what differentiates our 'nigeria' from the West...there are fountains at almost every turn in the streets with drinkable water. Everybody drinks from that including the whites. That is if you are walking out in the street. Alternatively, you walk into the supermarket and you can buy the a crate of 2 litter bottled water ranging from 84 cents to 4 euro depending on your choice. Again on transport, if you are doing the Lagos-Ibadan trip everyday...you will probably spend more than 30 euros a month no matter the conversion. This is not to say that life is not expensive in Europe or Italy but to call our minds to the fact that there is a price to pay for efficient services. Italy might not be the best model in terms of transport in Europe but compared to Nigeria...it is just heaven on earth. They are also flexible because the controllers in the buses and subway are not always there and so many Nigerians don't bother to buy ticket. The penalty of 100euros would not scare them...our inclination to free ride as far as public good is concerned. This is not peculiar to Nigerian, other Africans do same. If you live out of the city like I do...you may have to pay 80 euros for transport a month...yes...it is expensive but that is also because the transport is there and it works...we cannot say same of Nigeria... Back to immigration...the job market in the west is shrinking and in the case of Italy, you have a lot of prejudice to fight...don't come please if you have something meaningful doing... There is another category of people that are able to make it big...they are into drug and prostitution...or those who have well established businesses. Don't be deceived...I can reliably tell you that the number of Nigerians in jail here can make up one of Fashola's local governments in Lagos...he who has ears let him hear Posted by IkennaUgwu| 16.10.2008 10:49

datuouwadaberechi  Villager

# 8 yes, life is not easy in italy, it isnt anyhere!!. and i agree totally that nigerians are better off remaining home, although not becos of the prices u describe. 30 euros is about N5000. the fact is that in naija, u cannot even have the convenience of a bus pass for a month, no matter the cost. a very large number of ppl living in lagos and abuja, am quite sure, spend atleast N5000 a month on transport to work alone. and its not with a clean, regular, punctual and hassle-less bus o!!! its with fighting when the bus is filled or running fast to catch up with the escaping molue or the like where u are at risk of being wounded in the process, or robbed or beaten up for a slight offence. house rents too are becoming quite ridiculous in nigeria...lagos and abuja..... the modest and not-that-well located bungalow i occupied sometime ago in abuja, cost the equivalent of $400 per month. and naturally water and light were only sporadic....not even up to 40% presence....so when u add to this, the price of diesel for light generation, not to mention cooking gas expended in purifying what ever water one comes across............ nigeria is hard these days oh. let no one mistake that. and since most ppl cant even afford to live in these kinds of accommodation, have no jobs, schools, hospitals or security, they might consider it worthwhile paying through their nose to have some of these basic services abroad, if they are convinced they could get a job. i must repeat here that i dont in any way, advocate anyone embarking on a blind, or even a half-seeing trip to live abroad, europe or anywhere else. but i do wonder to myself, WHAT ARE THE REAL/JUST OTHER OPTIONS AT HOME???? Posted by datuouwadaberechi| 16.10.2008 11:31

chaos.com  Villager

# 9 depends where you live, 4 bottles of water in the ALDI is 99p. and a bus travel in merseytravel £51, and anyway how easy it is for majority of nigerians to even et hold of money. and also what are the facilities and the quality of them. No need converting foreign currencies, but payin for a molue that you have to run to, if it rain it leaks into your head and the seat may tear your lace is not a very good option. no to mention the bone jarring roads, instant death in case of accidents, and no policing or maintenance facilities on the vehicle. You pay for what you get, be it in taxes or costs of living and in most european countries, Italy included if you know how to play the system, you can get cheaper transport and cost of living costs. Simple things like buying online, booking in advance, breaking your journey into 2 or three parts e.t.c options not available in naija. Posted by chaos.com| 16.10.2008 11:40

fxo  Villager

# 10 It costs more than 32Euro to ride the bus from Ajah to Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos 'tro and fro' everyday for a month. Posted by fxo| 16.10.2008 13:07