Nigerians in Diaspora Come Home, the Time is Now!

Brothers and Sisters in the Diaspora from all branches of America, Europe and other advanced nations, and whether you are rich, educated, young, or old it is time to join together in a common cause—building national sanity and stability in Nigeria.

A peaceful and the long awaited revolution is here. Even the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan predicted it!

It was really quite difficult for a person like me to return home just a few months ago having left Nigeria in the year of 1982. As for you Nigeria's current revolution should be more of a heartfelt desire to return home, at least alive.

Nigeria's economy is at the crossroads—a nation in ruins. The type of ruin facing the Nigerian people is spiritually and psychologically remarkable and there is dearth of really good people in leadership.

Nigeria is a place where nothing works, so you will be disappointed to see that basic infrastructures are in shambles despite the promises made by successive administrations.

In fact it is almost a useless and worthless country where absolutely nothing functions well. The one reason why nothing works in your father's and mother's land is because a good number of jesters are at the top, middle and bottom of public and private affairs.

There are some good ones but they are markedly few in number. You will be confronted by more than 250 ethnic tribes, illegal money market, pay- for-sex-call girls, expensive cars, and Euro-America/western-style homes but all these are in the midst of cheap labor, poor security, irregular electricity and poor running water.

It is still a dark, dark country just as many of you left behind but the good news is that there are different grades of generators for your home use but never use them inside your home, garage, or other closed environment as they can be very deadly.

Another good news is that you will enjoy some feelings of delight as Nigerians are still socially, politically and emotionally charged people, and this could greatly maximize your adjustment.

Nigeria will always remain your ancestral or real home. And here is a reality—do not expect positive welcome from many classmates you left behind as some are deadly jealous.

Many of them will see you as a threat, a runner way and a foreigner who now wants to take over, and change things in where they grew up, endured and stayed put.

Expect to pay different forms of loyalty to those on top even to many of them you use to know with struggling emotions, mentality and intelligence in school and at work. Loyalties could come inform of monetary bribery but find a way not to get involved, instead do other things for the power-that- be. If you wish, supply them with bags of rice, beans, tubers of yam and live ram, goat or cow!

As you can see it is still an unusual place and this is the more reason to come home as majority of the people needs your physical and mental presence to start some of shakeup.

Do not worry much as you will gradually adjust to the hostilities and realities of things. Since the polity remains chronically sick you will not forgive yourself if you don't forcefully or cunningly exert your efforts to make things healthy, at least a little bit.

It is your spiritual, traditional, social and constitutional responsibility to prevent more pains to the average Nigerian child or adult.

As Nigerians from all walks of life in the diaspora you must gear up for some frustrating experiences but always remember you have many things to offer the people.

The country is to some extent really dangerous but if you manage your relocation or settlement well, you will be okay. You can hire police officers to guard you privately it takes a few moderate cash.

All in all, stop talking about Nigeria if you do not want to come and push for positive and sustainable change as you have to be physically here to make it happen.

Even if you are really getting old the small time you have on health makes you eligible to still play your part.

Certainly, there will be some degree of culture shock on returning to your native land but it is better to have culture shock than struggle with deep realities of old age or near death in a far-off land.

There still some things that still function very in Nigeria and they include the sight of happy people, songs and dances, adages, and various forms of celebrations here and there.

Again, as you read these words, a progressive nonviolent revolution is taking place, and if Nigeria is still in your blood there is nothing on earth that should reduce that feeling of belonging to your homeland—Nigeria.

John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D., is the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association (NPA), Abuja. [email protected]