A Nigerian lady in the United States identified as Adaeze Otamiri has further proven that there’s no place like home.
The young lady who is based in Tyler, Texas, recently spoke to Muse.ng and revealed that she misses Nigerian food, diverse cultures, parties, amongst other things.
In her words: “I miss the communal living arrangement although it’s a little bit different right now, the open socialisation that comes with the feeling of being at home, amazing food, variety of culture, parties, and activities etc.”
Adaeze said there are quite a lot of Nigerians in her community in Texas, adding that Nigerians are in every corner of the world.
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Leaving Nigeria for the first time
The young lady said she left Nigeria for the first time in 2013 for her undergraduate studies in Hungary.
According to Adaeze, she bagged a degree in Pharmacy and returned to Nigeria for a year and then return abroad.
In her words: “I just concluded my graduate studies here in the United States. Right now, I work as a research assistant part-time whilst concluding the last phase of the North American Pharmacy licensing examination.”
‘It’s not as rosy as people paint it to be’
Adaeze said it’s sad that people have a wrong mental picture of life in the diaspora.
In her words: “Sometimes, their expectations are overwhelming and not the true reality of how it is.
“The truth is that what makes it a bit of a relief is the presence of a working system. Besides that, it’s not as rosy and effortless as people paint it to be.
“You literally have to be accountable to yourself and the working system.”
Racism in Hungary
Adaeze disclosed that she experienced a bit of racism while she was in Hungary.
She said: “This very day during my first year, I got on a bus through the front door and there was this white lady that jumped to the back with the speed of light, it took me a couple of seconds to process what happened, my heart sunk.
Adaeze, who is single, said she hasn’t had any experience in the US that would make her think of retuning to Nigeria.
In her words: “(Laughs) that’s probably because I’m yet to achieve everything I have set my mind on achieving.
“So, it’s natural to persevere and look past certain situations that will dwindle your thoughts in that direction.”
The young lady said if she were to be Nigeria’s president, the first thing she would do is to assign reliable and responsible fresh minds with not just experience but with adequate exposure to key positions in government that will target every sector of the economy.
Adaeze said Nigeria needs to replicate the US working system, adding that the country can start by improving electricity and security.
In her words: “The need to replicate a working system in Nigeria cannot be underemphasized. Rome wasn’t built in one day, but I believe we can start small and spread our wings.
“Nigeria can Imitate a working system. If we can start by improving electricity and security, that’s a great step towards improving our economy.
“Also, investing in accessible quality education and implementing policy suggestions to reduce structural unemployment. I believe all these will make Nigeria a better place to live in.”
