Migrating from Nigeria

The identity of the Nigerian lady killed in Italy over sex performance, has been revealed. The deceased identified as Blessing Benedicta Daniels but popularly known as Anita, a Nigerian sex worker in Italy, was murdered by Leopoldo Scalici, 40, for failing to satisfy him.

Italian police have detained Scalici, after he voluntarily confessed to the crime. I am sure that a story like this has gone with the wind.

Over the years, Nigerians have been trafficked to foreign countries with the promise of better opportunities. Over 90 per cent of the victims are women who are often subjected to sexual abuse or forced into prostitution.

The unceasing case of human trafficking is fueled by the low economic standard of living in Nigeria and the perceived lack of opportunities when compared to other developed countries. Aside regular channels of trafficking Nigerians, there have been a surge in the number of Nigerians who voyage through the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara desert in a life threatening attempt to enter Europe.

Edo state for instance, has been adjudged one of Africa’s largest departure points for Africans fleeing economic hardships for better opportunities abroad.

Majority of Nigerians fleeing the country or being trafficked are women, unemployed graduates, traders and artisans that are fed up with the meager returns of their efforts due to the economic conditions of the country. Equally, the younger group are those whose parents or guardians cannot train and are lured by promises of a brighter future abroad or some sort of financial rewards.

While many may think it is too early in the morning, but then the fact is that we have a serious migration problem on our hands. Nigerians are leaving Nigeria, for education, for better life, for sports, for healthcare, for every reason available. Nigerians are seeking education in places such as the Ukraine, Bahrain, Cyprus; Nigerian footballers now go as far as Brazil, I mean the mighty ‘football-ing’ Brazil, not to talk of Iran, Kuwait and Madagascar. The labour market in places as remote as Auckland, Sydney, New Zealand is full of Nigerian academics.

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What hope do we have, many Nigerians in the Diaspora, every year number their days in foreign land saying, ‘this is the last year’ for me, but as we reach December, reaches, it is obvious that one year more is in the horizon, the situation at home is nothing to write about. The so-called conducive environment is illusionary. Nigerians in the Diaspora go through a lot just to eek out a living and yet have to cater for family at home. Through winter and summer, the struggle continues both legit and the shady ones.

Back home, families sell landed properties, mortgage valuables and values to make sure that their siblings, off springs get that paper that gets them out of the nation, on any excuse available. The number of churches and special prophets that line up the popular Embassy Street in Lagos is testimony to the fact that all is not well.

Nigerians, despite their status, line up in their thousands just for an opportunity to get out of the mess we got ourselves into. Our citizens go to Libya, Saudi, and even Iran to be pastors in desperation. The question is, if we all leave, who will repair the mess.

 Prince Charles Dickson PhD

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