We lately celebrated Nigeria’s sixty fourth independence anniversary, and being a proud Nigerian, I rejoice my nation. I all the time rejoice Nigeria’s strides and her cultural ethos. Nobody can do Nollywood like we do, costume fantastically like we do, and gosh our meals—that bitterleaf soup and that Amala and Gbegiri.
Does anybody do suya like we do, and why does Ijebu garri style so effectively with our Nigerian roast groundnut? What about roast plantains and peanuts? Then, after all, our Jollof Rice and our shallows. Speak no extra.
However I must not ever put my hand behind my again and faux that each one is effectively. I imply, let’s be truthful. Nigerians are a number of the most sensible and resilient folks on this planet, excelling in numerous fields regardless of the quite a few challenges they face at dwelling. In the US right this moment, Nigerian immigrants are sometimes held up as a mannequin of success, not simply by residents but additionally by immigration officers.
Nigerians are famend for his or her distinctive achievements in academia, drugs, know-how, and enterprise, contributing considerably to the workforce and society at massive. Their drive, dedication, and mind have earned them admiration, with many U.S. establishments and communities encouraging others to comply with the instance set by Nigerian immigrants.
The story of Nigerian excellence overseas is a testomony to the untapped potential throughout the nation, ready to be absolutely unleashed. But, regardless of these international accolades, it’s important to acknowledge that this brilliance thrives within the face of adversity, a actuality we should confront if we’re to unlock the complete potential of our nation.
He picked up my plates and walked away. I had not gone even one quarter means of my Amala, and similar to that, my Okra and unlucky goat bones have been all honed in a New York minute. As an everlasting optimist, I used to be sure that he would quickly be again with recent Amala, heavenly goat, and a recent serving of shrimp Okro. He actually didn’t return.
This was to the amazement of co-travellers on the desk. Nigerians are inconceivable, mentioned one among my co-travellers. Hmmm… was all I might say. Then, in a flurry, one other waiter got here to clear my fellow travellers’ plates. So I used the chance to inform her concerning the goat state of affairs. Worse was to come back. Oh, sorry, this new arrival of a waiter mentioned. However it is best to have identified, madam. Goats are like that. How dare she accuse goats falsely? So, I proceeded to coach her on the qualities of goat meat. “I purchase it on a regular basis, I mentioned to her. Goat just isn’t all the time sans meat, besides that’s the off portion you instructed the butcher to provide you. Shamefaced, she instructed me a lame sorry. Then she proceeded to do nothing about it. I left this place hungry, and my plate of lunch price the organisers 24,000 naira. Actually unhappy.
Customer support is really nonetheless discovering its means by numerous Nigerian companies and nonetheless not succeeding. Nobody in a hospitality curiosity ought to ever need to say to a buyer that’s how goat is.
Flip the tables. I’m in Nairobi, Kenya. Sad with how a meal was served and the standard, I started to complain. A Kenyan man consuming along with his household drew the eye of an assistant supervisor. We’re a vacationer nation, he mentioned. I would like you to have good recollections of Kenya.
Quickly, the whole kitchen was providing me this and that and apologising. I had a complimentary drink for each meal all through my five-day keep in Nairobi. Sufficient mentioned!