You might not have noticed but
Nigerians are deserting Ireland in droves.
As Nigerians acquires Irish citizenship, they have decided to look for
greener pastures outside the shores of Ireland with many heading back home
while many head for the shores of Manchester, London, Canada and the USA. But why?
Many people I spoke to confirms
that they are leaving Ireland because of what they perceive as boredom. They claim the country is so boring that they
are looking for a livelier scenario.
They cited the lack of cultural diversity in Ireland. They complain that the country is devoid of
fun as there is no proper pubs and restaurants to accommodate the growing
population of foreigners in Ireland.
When told that Ireland has good number of pubs, many say they are not welcome
in Irish pubs and clubs. They cited the
disdain in which the Irish people looks at black people when they go into their
pubs as a reason for not going to pubs in Ireland.
Another reason for many leaving
is the perceived lack of future for their children in Ireland. When told that Ireland has one of the best
educational system in the world, many still says the country lacks knowledge of
how to handle their children in schools.
They complain about the spate of bullying and name calling of African
kids in primary and secondary schools has increased in recent times.
Perhaps the biggest of reason for
Nigerians fleeing Ireland is Racism that occurs in Ireland on a daily
basis. Since the recession, there has
been an increase in racial tension in Ireland with the Irish taking it out on
the foreigners for taking their jobs and rendering many homeless. A woman named Janet who recently relocated
with her 4 kids back to Nigeria said that while she loves Ireland and still
considers herself and her kids to be Irish, she’s tired of the hatred always
showed to her by her neighbors and other people she comes across on regular
basis. She continues: my neighbors hate
me because I have a council house and they don’t. They think I took their chance and shouldn’t
have a house. I try to tell them that I’m
a single parent but they don’t care they just hate me. I even got a care job so I can still pay my
taxes but then they said I’m taking their jobs.
In the end I couldn’t win so I just packed up and left before I was
firebombed in my own house.
Another man named Bello who is a
taxi driver says he’s moving to London with his family as according to him, the
Irish are just too racist. When I told
him that the Irish are known for their hospitality he countered saying I’m a
taxi driver and I have to deal with them every day one on one trust me the
racism in Ireland is getting out of hand.
They blame us for everything he said.
Sometimes they refused to enter my taxi because I’m black he said. The other day a taxi driver I knew was killed
in the City Center and the Gardaí botched the investigation and the killer went
free. The Gardaí are even worse. If you report a racial crime to them, they
ignore you as if to say you don’t deserve their attention. Even when they manage to go to court, the
judges don’t do nothing to them. It’s
like they are all in on it.
However, not every leavers are
leaving because of racism. Many cited
the lack of job opportunity for them leaving Ireland. Sammy 36 says I have studied and studied and
sent out hundreds of CVs but I don’t get reply.
Maybe in London I can have better luck.
According to him, I love Ireland but I need to work to take care of my
family and I would have better chance in London because it is a bigger city
than Dublin. He said he would miss the
city and the people very much as he has grown accustomed to the Irish wits and
customs. Asked what he loves most about
Ireland he said believe it or not one thing I love most about Ireland is the
weather. Most people complain about the
weather but I just find the weather very endearing.
Whatever the reason for Nigerians
leaving, one thing is clear, the exodus is not going to end soon.
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