Comparing Diasporas: Asians, Jews, Irish etc & Nigerians

By Paul I. Adujie

Why Do Diasporas Exist?

How Are Diasporas Beneficial to Homelands?

How Fare Nigeria, Compared with/to other Homelands?

What Can Diaspora Nigerians Learn from other "matured" Diasporas?

As you read the article below, I recommend that you ponder these questions above.

Asserting that there are similarities in existential Diasporas is beyond dispute.

Asian Diasporas, as in Chinese, Indians and Vietnamese etc, are a very vibrant lot! they have positively impacted China, India and Vietnam for several years, and in particular, in the preceding ten years. Their European equivalent is, the positive impact that the Irish Diaspora has brought to bear on Ireland. There is an economic renaissance, economic revival and rebirth in Ireland, that is being spearheaded by Diaspora Irish. How about that!

The positive impact that Diaspora Jews have bestowed on Israel, is spectacularly unique and exquisite in quality, quantity and most outstanding, by every measure or parameters. Israel's creation, support, funding, aid and vigorous lobby attest to all these. There is an American joke, which says that every America politician is “Jewish” and this is because, any American politician worth his salt, and who knows what is good for her or him, identifies with the hopes and aspirations of Israel, as articulated by American Jews! I want to live to see the day, when that same joke will apply to Diaspora Nigerians! I just love it!

As to my first question above, I believe that Diasporas exist due to multiple variables in the home countries or homelands of those, who form the Diaspora of various countries and societies. There are refugees who are either political or economic. These sorts of Diasporas are usually those who flee political upheaval and instabilities, economic depression and political crises or an admixture of both.

There are, those who left their homelands in search of greener pastures or the golden fleeces and advance skills and education, with an eye to return, but, some eventually staying put, and becoming a Diaspora community of the old country/homeland.

The early Irish immigrants in America are known to have famously fled Ireland, to escape the potato famine of more than 100 years ago.

Some immigrants, such as the Vietnamese, Liberians, Sierra Leoneans and Kosovars are known to have fled their country/homelands because of wars, and in the particular case of Kosovars, Afghans and now Iraqis, they fled war and religious persecution or religious/cultural discriminations or racial segregations etc. No person depart his homeland, because he or she is too happy and content with the live there in the homeland. The push to emigrate may vary, but, frequently, it is the absence of satisfaction of some sorts.

1. How Are Diasporas Beneficial to Homelands?

Asian Diasporas have been largely credited with the economic successes of China, India and Vietnam. These successes have been made possible because of economic repatriation, transfer of capital from the Diaspora to the homelands of China, India and Vietnam etc, through a deliberate policy by Diaspora Asians. Money transfers, is the only area, where Diaspora Nigerians are close to Diaspora Asians and Mexicans in Diaspora achievements

India's Bangalore is the creation of Diaspora Indians and returnee Indians, and its technological marvels are often compared with its cousin or sister technology center in America known as Silicon Valley in California

2. How Fare Nigeria, Compared with/to other Homelands?

Diaspora Nigerians are mostly made up of economic refugees, new immigrants in America, Europe and Asia who are for the most parts, struggling with initial efforts to mix-in and integrate themselves into newly adopted countries and foreign lands of permanent or temporary residencies. New immigrants, as most Nigerians are worldwide, usually focus first and primarily, on self-preservation and daily survivals. Obtaining legal residency, paying bills such as rents, food and taking care to tackle the other basics of life abroad. The lackluster attainments for Nigeria as a collective resource for our homeland, is perhaps attributable to this novelty and newness of the very idea of corralling ideation abroad by Diaspora Nigerians for the benefit our Nigeria, our homeland and country.

3. What Can Diaspora Nigerians learn from other "matured" Diasporas?

There is so much that Nigerians can garner and gather from experienced and "matured" Diasporas. I wrote an article sometime ago, about how the American Jewish Committee provided seminars and workshops for Nigeria in Diaspora Organization in North and South America, to introduce us the rudiments, the challenges and pitfalls and rewards of public spirited selfless service on behalf of homeland/country. The AJC informed NIDO members why Jews never have felt the necessity to choose between their new country and their homeland, Israel. AJC for example does not see the need to choose between being a good Jew and a good American, similarly, Nigerians resident in America or Canada should never seek to create a distinction between being a good American and a good Nigerian, and being a good Canadian and Nigerians respectively. Nigerians can similarly, learn from the Chinese, the Indians, the Vietnamese and the Irish Diasporas, as they have coalesce in formidable efforts to rebuild their homelands for the common good of those who live in those countries and as well for those Diasporas and their offspring that may desire return or become bi-continental in a globalize macro economy.

Recently, I wrote an article titled 100 CONCERNED NIGERIANS ABROAD? , and in it, I mentioned my wish-list of what I would have wished as the impact of Diaspora Nigerians on Nigeria. Somehow, those wish-list comments, were drowned out, because of the politically emotive nature of the bulk of that article. Hence the need now, to reopen discussing this wish-list of possible positive impacts Diaspora Nigerians can have on Nigerian homeland.

What exactly do we Diaspora Nigerians owe Nigeria?

African Scholarship Students Must go Home By Hakeem Babalola

What can Diaspora Nigerians do by way of lobbying American, European and Asian governments? Or lobbying and interfacing businesses and institutions on behalf of Nigeria? What must do now to benefit Nigeria? I strongly believe that there is a great deal that Diaspora Nigerians can do! We can for instance, establish Think Tanks, Investment Clubs, engage in clandestine activities, including, espionage and more!

I am relatively young and in excellent state of health, but, I want my true feelings about Nigeria to be known, to be recorded, while I still have my life, while I still have the time!

Nigerians cannot be reminded of these issues enough! We should always bear it in our minds, that it is our responsibility to create the developed, the advanced and great nation from the present day Nigeria. And I do know for a fact, that this is quite possible in our life time, as in right now!

Some Nigerians always seem to be waiting for the perfect time to act for Nigeria’s benefit.

I strongly believe that there is no better time than now to think, say/articulate and do, everything that we all should, actively, for Nigeria’s development, advancement and greatness. Nigerians must not keep passions for Nigeria on the shelf. We must act now!

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle1971=encodeURIComponent(Comparing D...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 21.05.2007 22:22

truthsayer33  Villager

# 2 OBJ came to UK a few years back to talk to Diaspora Nigerians. We gave him ideas on how to harness the talents in abundance e.g fix the infrastructure of the country,provide affordable housing,provide employment opportunities,allow us to vote in Nigerian elections,make Nigerian embassies(high commissions) responsive to us,create flexible youth corps service for diaspora offspring to sample the land of their fathers,improve diaspora access to nigerian broadcast media,improve internet presence of nigerian institutions,support diaspora community networks. And you know OBJ's response: He gave employment to Maurice IWU and his friend Andy UBA diaspora nigerians who have done their utmost to develop nigeria in their master's image. Look at Nigerian football,we are at our best when we allow the very best Nigerians the opportunity to represent our nation. Posted by truthsayer33| 22.05.2007 07:07

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 3 How if.... we think of agents and factors of development beyond GOVERNMENTS? How if we think of concepts such as.... Public/Private Partnerships? How if we think of individuals/institutions in the private sector? How if we think outside the BOX and beyond the usual and the FAMILIAR? Posted by I Love Nigeria| 22.05.2007 09:02

ula-lisa  Villager

# 4 Good initiative. Most Nigerians no matter how settled, if they went into the Diaspora as adults, have a pinning for the motherland...adjustment issues...reasons for flight are some of the catalysts of thought. It takes someone with the mindset to help, however, to even think of initiating thought to improve the motherland. Some are of the view that once you have crossed-over, settle, be as Oyinbo as you can and let evryone fend for themselves nobi you make am...Send home a little when you can.... But that special person ...would Think of setting up NVS for instance... Get global Nigerians, the very accomplished as well as the 'Man-Childs' to a virtual Roundtable to think up and debate issues, no matter how mundane...The ones in Naija too get connected to fresh ideas of the west wthout being there... Next would be Ideas... Finance... Lobby.... Indirectly, a voice for the voiceless. E.g. If I wrote the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel like I did when they published on their front page the usual 'Nigerian Scam' story to inform them that within the area of Milwaukee were also Nigerian lawyers, professors, preachers as well as community do-gooders...I was not published, but on the NVS, we can tell our own stories...And because it is in the interest of our host communities to get feedback, they also read us...that is media lobby... With time, we may be able to affect policy if we think Naija as 'us' instead of some other...and love ourselves, warts and all... We shall get there, I think... Posted by ula-lisa| 22.05.2007 10:07

Jah Guda  Villager

# 5 Hi Paul, you have got good intentions and positive dreams but making things work in Nigeria is a very different story. Also, for several reasons we are not quite on the same wavelength as the Jews, Chinese or Indians when it comes to collective capabilities. Take the Jews as an example, they help each other a lot, they give preference to their kind over others. Judaism is a religion of action and quest for knowledge, excellent work ethic. Some people say it’s all to do with genetics, but it’s not; there wouldn’t be enough time for those sorts of mutations to occur; it’s as a result of their overall structured thinking. They can invite us to ‘help’ seminars as many times as they like but if we do not change the way we see ourselves and the way we treat fellow Nigerians, we will not be able to help change our country from afar. A lot of work has to be done in Nigeria, too. We have to help Nigerians in Nigeria understand the benefits of thinking ahead, teach them to consider long term benefits as opposed to the current habit of considering short term gains. The advantages of thinking long-term is not well understood by the average Nigerian. If Nigerians change their attitudes to investment by Diasporas, they could provide us with much useful value. Getting your investment plans to work well is critical to the success of your project. As a result of this fact you or someone with financial commitments to your project must be there (Nigeria) in person to act as a coordinating mechanism that allocates capital to every stage of your project, releasing the right amount when needed, not spending for the sake of it or for personal gain. If your capital goes to the wrong uses you are more or less doomed. How can Diasporas invest successfully in Nigeria? The key is to provide the right incentives and most important, be there. If you decide to invest in Nigeria from a distance do not be surprised if your investment fails to produce a good outcome. There are loads of investment opportunities in Nigeria. Most Nigerians in the US/EU would invest in Nigeria if they can depend on someone to manage their project honestly. Posted by Jah Guda| 22.05.2007 10:15

TEchi  Villager

# 6 Hi Paul: It’s always encouraging reading you. I think our lives as Nigerians in Diaspora would have been meaningless without doing something positive for the motherland. It is not easy especially for Nigerians. I think we still have a long way to go before we can compete with the likes of Asian, Irish and so forth. Many Diasporas are investing in Nigerian but it’s not easy. One comes across all type of obstacles, political and otherwise. But I think a lot of us are learning like the Asians, Irish and Jews. We still lacking a lot in economic renaissance, economic revival and the rebirth is a whole other issue. But I think as each of us continue to bring our two cents into the community Nigeria will rise to compete with other matured communities. We are a vibrant and competitive lot and we are not easily discouraged. Posted by TEchi| 22.05.2007 23:14

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 7 TEchi, I am gladdened by your upbeat and forward-looking comments... Diaspora Nigerians are undergoing a learning process... we do have positive example to speed up our learning process/learning curve The Seminar/Workshop organized for Diaspora Nigerians by the aforementioned Jewish organization.... exposed to us.... that some of the teething/growing pains in Diaspora activism .... are not peculiar to Nigerians Nigerians actually had a good laugh listening to Jews recount identical experiences of apathy and sometimes, tales of "well-meaning" Diaspora members acting at cross-purposes or counter-productive ways. Diaspora Nigerians at the Seminar/Workshop, also learnt of what to expect... some things that would change over time... .and some other things that would remain constant .... human nature and all. My purpose here.... and my hope hence... is that we are consciously thinking, in deliberative and contemplative manners about our beloved homeland...... we should be thinking and acting to benefit our homeland... in small and big ways! We may not have the money, but we may possess wonderfully remarkable ideas.... We may not have the money.... we may be in environments where we can influence actions... either by just a mention, by suggestions and active encouragements etc We may also learn to always focus on saying something kind about our homeland...This is because I believe that IF I TELL THE WORLD THAT MY MOTHER IS THE WORST COOK IN THE WORLD.... It might understandably make it MORE DIFFICULT for me to convince others to eat my mother's cooking with me. We do not have to insist that our mother is the BEST and ONLY cook in the world.... it may just be sufficient to let the world know that we love and care about our mother... even if she is NOT possessed of the best cooking skills! The world might then eat with us... even if grudgingly/reluctantly or with reservations? The longest journey, it is said, begins with the first steps. If ANY Diasporas can do it? Diaspora Nigerians will do it better! Posted by I Love Nigeria| 23.05.2007 09:23

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 8 Love this article! Well done! Instead of dwelling on the negatives you are looking at 'what you can do for your country'. I once spoke to an African-American man I met in Lagos who came to Nigeria during FESTAC '77 and never went back to the U.S. I asked him how he could give up the Land of the Beautiful and Free for Nigeria and do you know what he said? He said (and I'll never forget this) 'No one will fix your country for you. Only you can fix it. We African-Americans had to fight, march and even die to enjoy our piece of the American Dream. It wasnt given to us on a platter of gold even though we were born there. So you Nigerians have to do the same to see the Nigeria of your dream". I left his presence a very humbled Nigerian. E-mail comment (prefers anonymity) Posted by I Love Nigeria| 23.05.2007 09:35

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 9 We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Paul, Nice Article - a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out piece. I particular take issue with the term “Diaspora Nigerian”. Sir, there is such a thing but how effective is it in the face of disunity? The issue of a lack of united Nigerian voice is exactly the same lack of progress in the black community (world over) due to a lack of unity and collective input. You mentioned the Irish, Jews, Vietnamese but it will be hard (don’t you think) to imagine a “Nigeria”? Tell me if I am wrong does the majority of Hausas in New York mix with you? Do you not have a world Igbo congress championing the issues of the Igbo of the federal republic of Nigeria? I doubt if the Jew or Irish will have such influence and impact on the American stage if they were say, “Gypsy Irish”, Northern “Irish militia” and South Dublin Diasporas. Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Let us go back to the drawing board Sir, we don’t have a Diaspora to work with just yet, there are pieces and segments that cannot function effectively until they are joined together in a powerful union….Then we can join the rest and take our place in Diaspora politics Even the weak become strong when they are united. Johann Friedrich Von Schiller (1759-1805) E-mail post by Ben.... Posted by I Love Nigeria| 23.05.2007 09:37