NIGERIANS
THE MOST EDUCATED IMMIGRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The
recent revelation by the US Bureau of Statistics that Nigerians are the most
educated immigrant community in the United States did not come to me as a
surprise. It is a fact many of us who have been blessed to have dealt with
elements within the corporate and public sectors of the American society have
known for a long time. According to published statistics, Nigerian immigrants
have overtaken Asian immigrants-the Indians and Pakistanis who had previously
occupied that spot as the most educated immigrant community in the United
States. According to the report 37 percent of Nigerian immigrant population
have bachelors degrees, 17 percent have graduate (masters) degrees while one
percent, have post-graduate (PhD) degrees. The White American population on the
other hand, has 19 percent with bachelor degrees, eight percent with graduate
degrees while one percent has post graduate degrees. The cumulative effect of
this revelation is that Nigerian Diaspora community brings a lot to the table
and consequently has earned a pride of place within in certain sectors of the
American socio-political experience.
The
realization that Nigerians in spite of the activities of a tiny percent of our
nationals who have collectively tainted our otherwise sterling reputation with
some unsavory tendencies are held in high esteem came to me, about 12 years
ago, when I returned to school to update and strengthen my intellectual
foundations. I remember vividly the rock-star treatment I was given by my
professors in my first day in a political science class (my major) and
journalism class (my minor.) As we were in the process of doing the normal
ritual of introducing ourselves and where we originally came from (those of us
who were immigrants,) when it was my turn to introduce myself, the professor,
having been told that I was originally from Nigeria, went ahead to heap praises
on Nigerian students he had previously taught, most of whom he said had gone
ahead to do graduate and professional studies at some of the most elite Ivy
League colleges in the United States. “The Best Graduating Student-the
Valedictorian in the past two years have been Nigerians. I hope you will follow
that illustrious path and do well here.” As the entire class turned to look at
me, for a moment, I felt overwhelmed by the pressure and the expectation the
whole class and the professor had of me.
Needless
to say that I didn’t disappoint the professor as I became a major presence in
the class, earning the trust of the professor so much so that if I felt under
the weather, and asked the professor to excuse me, he would plead that I should
manage and come to class because “my presence brought out the best in him.” I
later graduated Magnum Cum Laude and went ahead to earn a master’s degree
graduating as the ‘Best Overall Student in Political Science-International
Relations and Comparative Politics.’ Getting into workforce, I was also singled
out by my boss, and given a huge responsibility as the Senior Manager in charge
of Government and Allied services for the Fortune 500 Company because you
“Nigerians are exceptionally brilliant and are very dedicated” my then boss had
stated.
I
have used my personal experience here to illustrate the depth of talents pool
that Nigeria has given the rest of the world. From some of the most
intellectually rigorous establishments in America such as NASA to advancements in
medical science, Nigerians have earned a pride of place in the United States
and elsewhere. You always recognize them with that unique aplomb-the
self-assuredness that they had long internalized, the sense of circumspection
and nuanced perspective they bring to bear in their every day dealings with
complex issues.
As
I have always stated on this page- it is as a matter of fact becoming a
recurring decimal, Nigeria must engage its Diasporan population in its
developmental efforts. If the Western world recognized the sterling
contributions our nationals have made toward the growth of their societies,
Nigerian government should find ways and means of appropriating the talents of
these patriotic Nigerians and make them partners and integral components of our
national development.
If
India and China encouraged their Diasporans to return home- a development that
has led those countries to move from agrarian and underdeveloped entities they
were once consigned into, to becoming leading economies today-earning
membership in the famous (BRIC)-Brazil, Russia, India and China), I think
Nigeria could, someday join that group and expand it to (BRICN-Brazil, Russia,
India, China and Nigeria.) We must use what we have to get to where we desire.
Donating our best brains to other countries and not doing something to
encourage reverse migration, I think is a bad strategic move. When Ireland
became a member of the European Union (EU) I can vividly remember the number of
my friends and colleagues who went back to that country because government in
Dublin and other parts of the country needed their expertise and did everything
to encourage them to come back. These Irish Diasporas helped heat up the engine
of economic growth that catapulted Ireland into a major economic power within
the EU nations. Even though lately the country had experienced some stress in
its economic growth, most analysts believe given the deep talents of its
people, the country will get over those challenges soon.
Governments at both
the center and the states level should do all it can to encourage the Diaspora
Nigerians to come home and contribute towards national development. We cannot
have all the educated workforce contributing hugely towards the growth of other
societies while we watch those countries celebrate the skills set our Diasporan
population has brought into their workforce. As Dr. Okonta-a Delta State born
physician who runs Rapid MD-a major medical facility in Queens, New York told
me the other day “most of us here have had all the success and financial
security we ever needed. Our kids have graduated from college or are getting
into colleges-thus freeing us to pursue other desires and areas of giving back
to the society that nurtured us- Nigeria” People like Dr. Okonta should be
courted and encouraged to return home and help design some new approaches in
our health-care delivery. - Courtesy Thisday News.
Report
any suspicious persons and object to the law enforcement agencies, as that...
will save lives.
Culled from www.facebook.com/hopefornigeria
