“However, while we call on unity and love among Nigerians abroad, we must not shy away from the lack of these values back home. The country has been marred in recent times with intense ethnic division and unrelenting hatred, as such, you don’t expect the fruit to fall far off from the tree. To achieve unity and love abroad, we must first nurture the values at home. These values are not abstract ideals — they are habits formed through everyday actions and relationships. When families and communities prioritise fairness, empathy, and collaboration, they produce individuals who naturally carry these values into the world. Such individuals are better equipped to act as bridges rather than barriers, building a culture of trust and shared progress wherever they go”.
While Nigerians are known worldwide for their resilience, ingenuity, and remarkable ability to excel in diverse fields even amid challenges before them, there lies a troubling undercurrent that is threatening to undermine the collective progress of Nigerians abroad, and that is the the spirit of envy and jealousy that seem to be a wall of division among Nigerians in the diaspora.
Instances of Nigerians abroad sabotaging their fellow countrymen and women abound, painting a picture of disunity and mistrust that do the country back home no good neither does it do the affected countrymen any good when your fellow countryman is Seen to be a clog in the wheel of your progress.
Consider the actions of some Nigerian landlords abroad, who, rather than welcoming fellow Nigerians with kindness and understanding, exploit them by charging exorbitant rents simply because they share the same origin. This betrayal, borne of greed and a misplaced sense of competition, often forces their compatriots into financial hardship and creates a hostile environment. Similarly, there have been cases where Nigerians in positions of authority make life unnecessarily difficult for their fellow citizens. This they do by increased hours of work or paltry payslip compared to what they pay their hosts.
This behavior is not only self-defeating but also contrary to the communal spirit deeply ngrained in our culture as Nigerians. By failing to support one another, we allow divisions to fester and weaken the foundation of collective progress.
A very good example we could borrow a leaf from are the Indians in Nigeria. Across neighborhoods like Ilupeju and parts of Victoria Island in Lagos, Indians have established tight-knit communities. They support each other in business, share resources, and cultivate a sense of belonging. This cohesiveness goes beyond social gatherings; it is reflected in how they mentor one another, help secure opportunities, and preserve their cultural identity even in a foreign land. Their success as a collective stems from the absence of rivalry and the presence of a shared goal: ensuring that no one is left behind.
The lesson here is clear: unity is strength. Nigerians abroad must recognise that their collective success is far greater than individual achievements gained at the expense of others. Envy and jealousy do not advance our cause; they only divide us and sabotage our position in an already competitive global spac. We must ensure that we cultivate an attitude of love and support for one another, acknowledging that one person’s success does not diminish another’s potential.
Imagine the transformative impact if Nigerians abroad chose to uplift rather than undermine one another. A Nigerian landlord offering fair rents to a fellow compatriot not only builds trust but also strengthens the reputation of Nigerians as a community that cares for its own. A Nigerian superior who mentors and empowers a fellow Nigerian employee creates a ripple effect of success that elevates the entire group.
These acts of kindness and solidarity forge bonds that amplify shared progress and position Nigerians as a force to be reckoned with globally.
Need I state that unity also creates a sense of security and belonging that is vital in foreign lands where many face cultural, racial, and social challenges. The thought alone that fellow Nigerians have your back can provide the moral support needed to overcome these challenges. And this is not just about achieving individual goals but ensuring that every Nigerian abroad can succeed without fear of sabotage from their own people.
However, while we call on unity and love among Nigerians abroad, we must not shy away from the lack of these values back home. The country has been marred in recent times with intense ethnic division and unrelenting hatred, as such, you don’t expect the fruit to fall far off from the tree. To achieve unity and love abroad, we must first nurture the values at home. These values are not abstract ideals — they are habits formed through everyday actions and relationships. When families and communities prioritise fairness, empathy, and collaboration, they produce individuals who naturally carry these values into the world. Such individuals are better equipped to act as bridges rather than barriers, building a culture of trust and shared progress wherever they go.
A people who take pride in lifting one another up within their immediate environment will invariably extend this to the diaspora, transforming their communities into modelsof cooperation and mutual growth.
1 Corinthians 1:10: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our LordJesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Leadership, Conflict, Peace, and Security
Management Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace, and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.
He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.
Ofonime is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently a Professor of Leadership,Peace, and Conflict Resolution with ICOF University, USA/Zambia and a Professor ofPeace Education with Charismatic International University, Cameroon.
With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace
Leadership.
Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2030 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.
For leadership, conflict, peace and security consultations and trainings, reach him via:
Facebook: Dr. O.E Bassey
LinkedIn: Dr. O.E Bassey
X: Dr. O.E Bassey
WhatsApp: +2347065828892
Mail: emmanuelbassey@gmail.com
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
