Nigerians In The Diaspora Studies have shown that over 17 million Nigerians live abroad, scattered all over the world. This migration has resulted in the fact that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians are doing very well abroad. They range from professionals to artists, to sportsmen and business tycoons. As a way to identify with their home country, Nigerians in the diaspora have formed different organisations abroad, with the major aims of supporting each other in strange lands, and contributing positively to the development of the nation. Associations like the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) which has branches in Europe, America, Africa and the world; Students’ Association of Nigerians in Diaspora (SAND); Nigeria Diaspora Alumni Network (NIDAN), are just a few of these. It’s hard to choose few people amongst thousands as ‘prominent’; however, some Nigerians in diaspora are more well-known than others, especially on a global scale. Below are some prominent Nigerians abroad: Sade Adu, Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. Agbani Darego, Nigerian supermodel and first Black African Miss World. Now based in New York. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Nigerian-born politician who became the third Commonwealth Secretary-General. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, British actor and former fashion model of Yoruba parents, best known for his roles as Lock-Nah in The Mummy Returns, Nykwana Wombosi in The Bourne Identity, Mr. Eko in Lost and Simon Adebisi on Oz. Gabriel Imuetinyan Agbonlahor, English footballer of Nigerian-Scottish heritage who plays for Aston Villa as a striker and a winger, and was the teams interim captain for part of the 2011–12 season. Tinie Tempah (Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu), English rapper who has origins in Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria. Oluchi Onweagba. Lagos born and bred world-class supermodel with a very sucessful career. Past winner of the M-Net ‘Face of Africa’ contest who now lives in New York. Ben Okri. Nigerian poet and novelist based in England. Considered one of the foremost African authors in the post-modern and post-colonial traditions by reputable sources like The Guardian (2008). Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (Wale), Nigerian American rapper, born in Northwest, Washington D.C. His parents are of the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria. Adetomiwa Edun, Nigerian-born British actor best known for his role as Sir Elyan in the television show Merlin. Rakie Olufunmilayo Ayola , Welsh actress with Nigerian roots, best known for her role as Kyla Tyson in the BBC medical drama Holby City. Caroline Chikezie, British actress best known for playing Sasha Williams in As If, and Elaine Hardy in Footballers Wives. Born in England but attended a Nigerian boarding school at 14. Hakeem Olajuwon, Nigerian-born retired NBA player. Played centre for Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. A hall-of-famer considered one of the greatest centres ever to play the game. Amobi Okoye, Nigerian-born defensive tackle of American football. Played for the Houston Texans, the Chicago Bears, and now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Philip Emmanuel Emeagwali, Nigerian-born engineer and mathematician/computer scientist/geologist. A winner of the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize, for his use of a Connection Machine supercomputer to help analyse petroleum fields. The way Nigerians easily identify fellow countrymen abroad is very intriguing. It seems so easy and natural, just as if we carry some invisible IDs everywhere we go. However, here are some ways Nigerians can be identified abroad: Intuition What does a Nigerian look like? I still keep wondering too. But it has been proven that Nigerians can correctly tell another person is a Nigerian just by looking at him. You just feel he’s Nigerian. It might be something about the dress code or just intuition at work. Olubukonla Aloba, a Nigerian who lives in Lawton, Oklahoma, feels “you just know when you see one. The feeling is just there, you see someone and automatically youre like thats definitely a Nigerian!” Manner of approach “You’d know from the way they look at you – and approach you – when they see that you are black. They see you as ‘brother’ and want to relate with you… and the first question is ‘are you a Nigerian?’”, says Adeyemi Taiye, a Nigerian student of the University of Salford, Manchester, UK. Leticia, a Nigerian student of the same school, adds that they try to approach you speaking Pidgin English. Patriotism in dress sense One big truth is that Nigerians abroad love to identify with their dear country in their manners of dressing. Many Nigerians like flashing their rich and colourful native attires, especially on Sundays, and at social events. They either wear attractive native wear, or customise other formal wear to shout ‘Naija’! Associations. This makes it easier to identify Nigerians abroad. In no time, one can search for Nigerian associations abroad and come up with few reputable ones – with their organization address and other contact details. These associations hold their periodic meetings and other events, and also celebrate Nigerian holidays. It’s always a big family, with a lot of catching up and camaraderie. By Yomi-Alliyu Oludami
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:49:10 +0000
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