“A man does not wander far from where his corn is roasting.”
This mouth-watering Nigerian saying was fully manifested at their independence celebrations at the PSU Friday night. Tantalizing aromas of jollof rice with chicken, pepper soup, moin moin (bean cake) and dodo (fried plantains) filled the air.
You’ve never tried it? You joking, man! Well then you must have heard the pulsating rhythms of Juju, Highlife and Afrobeat that rocked the building – or was dazzled by the rich cultural exhibition of drama dance and fashion show.
Nigeria was observing its 61st anniversary of independence in the same month that Dominica is gearing up for its 36th. Attendees were mostly adorned in colourful traditional costumes – as if the seamstresses and tailors were not shy in lavishing on swirls of fabulous fabric. The festivities were enthusiastically supported by the Canadian, American, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and Indian and local students. Everyone was Nigerian that night!
Booming Nigerian community
The distinguished president of the Nigeria Dominica Association is Dr. Raymond Adeyibi, professor of immunology at Ross University. He continues his excellent work, well integrated into local life with his Dominican family.
This year’s Outstanding Teacher in Secondary School education is none other than Nigerian Mr. Samuel Owoeye. He majors in science at the Dominica Grammar School and is married to a Dominican nurse. This is but one example of the significant contributions Nigerians are making to life in Dominica. Indeed, Waitukubuli has become quite ‘cosmopolitan’ in its own way. It is no longer unusual to come across Nigerian nurses, doctors, priests, pastors, business-folk, experts and workers in various and sundry fields of endeavour.
Total number of Nigerians in Dominica is approaching one thousand. They continue to contribute substantially to the local economy especial in terms rentals and generating demand for the service industry. They savour all the local attractions and on average could better tell from personal experience all the destinations Dominica has to offer.
Pastor David Abiodun, Registrar of All Saints University in Roseau reports exponential increases in student registration. He was coy when comes to rumours abounding about a spanking new campus to break ground at a site once considered for a major new government facility. So let’s keep this under wraps for now.
No disrespect to Brazil, but honest review of the stats reveals that Nigeria outperformed the hapless home team in this year’s Football World Cup. That makes the ‘Super Eagles,’ the brilliant boys in green, a clear contender next time around, 2018 in Russia. A local medical student team even played a representative Dominican team to a 1:1 draw. This further advances the notion that there is no country in the world with the diversity, confidence, talent and black pride like Nigeria. For them, ‘Negritude’ is not just a passing fad or fashion statement. It is a daily duty to showcase unity and strength despite serious shocks and challenges – Bokom Haram terrorists and Ebola being the most recent.
Nigeria Ebola-free!
Based on the recovery of all known patients and no new cases in over a month, international health agencies have declared Nigeria to be Ebola-free. Meanwhile the United States is still monitoring contacts of the first case diagnosed on American soil. With its advanced health care system, one anticipates that within the next couple months the United States will likewise be declared Ebola free. Of course it would be just as ridiculous for certain elements of the public call for quarantine or ban on American visitors as they did for Nigerians.
We are truly enjoying a high point in African-Dominican relations which harkens back to the fondest Rastafarian dreams of Ethiopia and the fulfilment of all that we marched for in times past on African Liberation Day.
I humbly accepted an award that night. It was on behalf of all those who speak strongly and consistently to roll back old prejudices, to partner with our sisters and brother from the Mother Country.
So, let brotherly love continue. This vibrant continent is definitely on the rise. Nigeria, the most populous at 140 million, is the flagship unitary state. The same tide that lifts them lifts us. As with Africa on a whole, it holds tremendous promise for economic progress in the coming years. Just watch!
So if you hear an African accent, it’s most likely Nigerian. Give them a fist-pump, slap on the back or huggy kiss. Congratulate them on their achievements. Just let them know that Dominica will never wander far from that sweet smell of success wafting over from across the Atlantic.
I love this article and would like to join the Nigerian Association if l could get the address of the group or phone number of the group
As we celebrate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, let us not forget and pray for the many girls who are still captives of Boko Haram. Let us hope that compassion will allow them to return the innocents to their families. Let us also pray that all children everywhere in the world will be free to be educated in the 21st century.
Thank you Dr. Christian……your presence at the event was well appreciated……we should give you a Nigerian name……..maybe
……..”Ikenna”………lol
I commend the good Dr Sam Christian for embracing our African family and educating Dominicans about Ebola. Africa is a huge continent with close to a billion people yet ignorance and brain washing has caused many to feel we should quarantine Africa as if all Africans have the plague . May wisdom and more public education in health care show us a better way. Our authorities need to get off their rusty dusty and do more public health education. Our future resides in better relationships with Africa so we must prepare ourselves and not fall prey to gossip and scare mongering.
This event was one in town ,for those that missed out ….next shouldn’t pass you
interesting article – lots to learn from each other!
This is most wonderful news of re-integration with our ethnic family.
Great article, except for one mistake!
It was Nigeria’s 54th anniversary of Independence; they became independent from colonial powers on 1st October 1960.
I, along with my husband, attended the festivities. I was immensed back into my culture once again, with the familar food that was served. I had no idea that there were so many Nigerians in Dominica. I am proud to call myself a Nigerian, via the UK.
I am also happy to hear, that despite the continual scaremongering about ebola and Nigeria, that they have managed to successfully quarantine the virus, thereby making Nigeria and its environs, ebola free.
Nice Doc I enjoyed reading this well written.
I have lots of Nigerians friends. They really cool. They not like anything people used to say. It’s good to have them in our country to learn stuff. We can learn a lot from them too.
May the Blessings of Yesu Messiah rest upon the Government Nation of Nigeria as they celebrate their 61st anniversary of Independence.This was indeed an appropriate and commendable commentary on the part of Dr.Christian.Nigeria’s contribution to our development over the past years in various fields such as education and health etc. must not go unnoticed. Dr.Bazil Fadipe’s investment in medical care is a commendable example. The impact of Nigerian culture via music, movie videos and to a certain extent even recently planted churches (apart from the community of residents) on Dominica confirms the increasing connectivity with our African cousins.
I recall a now emigrated Nigerian sharing with me the vision he had for the construction of an “African village” such as would recapture and depict the traditional African way of life the same way the “Carib Barana Aute purports to do.The widely varied features and aspects which he had at the time projected of the conceptualised village was quite impressive and fascinating to me and would have undoubtedly been a ‘wonder of the Caribbean had he remained and achieved his dream.
One wonders whether the Reparation Committee may not want to review and expand its intended pursuance of reparations to include ventures of like nature.
Congratulations Nigeria and Nigerians.Long live Dominica-Nigeria friendship to the Glory and Praise of the Almighty Heavenly Father.Amen
Comgratulations,