NIGERIANS THE MOST EDUCATED IMMIGRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

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