An American-based Nigerian lawyer recently posted on Twitter his misgivings regarding the drawbacks of moving to another nation in pursuit of greener pastures.
According to the man who was identified as @ike_obiora, his grandmother, who raised him, and his two uncles’ funerals were among the three important family events that he missed out on because of his desire to relocate abroad.
When considering the disadvantages of living abroad, he expressed worry that his kids wouldn’t be able to form strong relationships with their cousins and other family members.
He wrote:
“Japa! Japa! Japa! At what cost? I was raised by my Grandma, she died 3yrs ago & I wasn’t there.
“My Uncle died 2021, I wasn’t there. Another of my Uncle just died yesterday, and I won’t be there again.
“I haven’t seen some of my nephews since their birth. At what cost again? ☹️ I don’t even want to start counting important events in the lives of friends and family that I have missed.
“To japa is good, no doubt, but at what cost exactly? Families are separated for live only to reunite again at the burial of their parents, if all will be there.
“I grew up bonding with my cousins at Grandma’s house. We will always be there for “Ụka Nne” celebration chanting “Nnem ife dị mma ka mụ ga-emere gị” song after overfeeding on ụkwa and Co. Christmas, New year and Easter celebrations are not left out too.
“Now, everything is pointing towards me raising children who will never get to have that familial bonding & relationship with their cousins and other relations. Not because I want to, but because it is what it is.
The very thing that made us who we are, are eroded on daily basis. Nigeria really needs to work. We can’t continue like this in perpetuity.”