The volume of reaction the piece has generated from foreign-based Nigerians is an indication that the insecurity of these visitors is a serious problem.
The following are other tips you need for a safe homecomig:
Watch your tongue: If you board a taxi or you are in your private vehicle, avoid discussing the money you have brought home for a ceremony. Display security consciousness whenever you want to talk about large sums of money. Do not make yourself the target of robbery.
Be kind and considerate: While in the village, speak kindly to villagers. Give a smile to everyone you come across. Little gestures mean a lot to these common folks. Avoid talking down on people or telling worn out stories about how you do things in Britain or America.
Get a guide or spokesman: A man or woman must be there to interprete the customs for you to understand. If you go out to meet with the elders or other age groups without a spokeman, they may extort you. They see a ceremony as an opportunity to enjoy the good things of life, so they usually make maximum demands. You need the spokeman to strike a good deal for you. Recently, a Nigerian – American engineer came home for his father’s final burial ceremony and he had an indolent spokesman. He was mercilessly dealt with by the villagers. I asked why he didn’t fire the spokesman and discovered that he didn’t know he could. The spokesman works for you. If he’s not productive, go and get another one. The bottom line is, you cannot and should not speak for yourself.
Communication: Foreign-based Nigerians usually employ lose language due to lack of constant practice. If you don’t speak your native language or you are not fluent at it, get someone to interpret for you. There’s no shame in employing an interpreter. Your kinsmen already regard you as a foreigner, so, having someone to translate proverbs and idiomatic expressions for you is not odd. What is odd is acting in a manner that contradicts what is expected thereby proving ignorant.
Observe the “full view†doctrine: Ensure that your food and drinks are always placed within your view. Do not leave your drink unattended to, even for a short while. Take your cup with you if you go outside for a chat. If you happen to leave your food unattended to, then ignore it and get a fresh meal or drink later. You don’t want to see if you can be poisoned. Always play safe so that you can live to tell stories about the celebration.
Avoid late nights: Return home early every night. Do not go partying all night. Aside from the risk of armed robbery and ritual killing, you also run the risk of encountering drunk security agents at night. An encounter with them can be fatal. A young man who went partying in Owerri, Imo State recently had his jeep riddled with bullets fired by law enforcement agents who thought that he did not intend to obey the order to stop.
Utilise local knowledge: Ask cab drivers, food vendors, private security agents and policemen about the security situation in the city you are staying in. There is no publicly available security report or crime risk analysis on Nigerian cities. The security hints from these individuals will give you snap shots of information which you can string together to have a composite picture.
Ask for police protection: When you are doing a wake, ask the local police chief for two or more armed men to secure the area. Invite the police chief to the party, so he will have a reason to want to protect you. You must reach out and engage law enforcement agents in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Drive safely: If you drive, ensure that you are familiar with the Nigerian way of driving. You must avoid collision at all costs. If you are being driven, ensure that the driver does not overspeed. Continually caution him if he is driving recklessly. Remember, life has no duplicate.
please do not distract and keep discussions along line of topic - make proper use of capit
Posted: at 5-03-2008 12:45 AM (17 years ago) | Gistmaniac
myragonza at 5-03-2008 01:09 PM (17 years ago) (f)
@dguy....nice one from you....I hope people apply these and more positive approaches when they visit Nigeria.....boasting and pride should be done away with....it contributes to hatred.....and trouble. good tips....but for sure you always make me doubt your moral upbring each time I read good tips like this from you.....check out your "how to cheat without getting caught"....
Ukoma defines Simplicity Nurtured By Humility.
Posted: at 5-03-2008 05:21 PM (17 years ago) | Gistmaniac
lucabracci at 18-03-2008 05:43 AM (17 years ago) (m)
my guy abeg these stuffs ll cost you more money and headache,the best way not to call attention to yourself when you are on hols or visit naija is to dress naija,act naija and dont start flashing hundreds of pictures each time you have friends come over showing you posing in front of trafalgar square or statue of liberty if u act like a yankee or jand returnee thats advertisment saying i v brought pounds or dollars pls come and rip me off,not everybody in nigeria tho as there r some really great people as well
Posted: at 18-03-2008 05:43 AM (17 years ago) | Upcoming
you make me laugh @lucabracci..but honestly, its not really like someone is acting that way on purpose, But if its the ones that grew up in Naija and then left as adults, then return acting that way, then that ain't good. But the one's that can't help it, it won't be their faults for doing so..I'm actually concerned now cuz ppl find it so hard to believe that i'm nigerian, i actually have to show some type of proof or my last name for them to kinda believe it. So when someone like me goes to Naija, I would be acting the same way as now..so what a girl to do?
Posted: at 18-03-2008 07:46 AM (17 years ago) | Addicted Hero
lucabracci at 18-03-2008 11:34 AM (17 years ago) (m)
in addittion,if anyone tells you aunty you r too much for this money now or aunty you know you are from over seas,tell them we are all in lagos together o,or u v not smell even muritala mohammed in pidgin
quote author=nigerianvixen26 link=topic=926.msg51728#msg51728 date=1205822814] you make me laugh @lucabracci..but honestly, its not really like someone is acting that way on purpose, But if its the ones that grew up in Naija and then left as adults, then return acting that way, then that ain't good. But the one's that can't help it, it won't be their faults for doing so..I'm actually concerned now cuz ppl find it so hard to believe that i'm nigerian, i actually have to show some type of proof or my last name for them to kinda believe it. So when someone like me goes to Naija, I would be acting the same way as now..so what a girl to do?
trust me,soo many people act that way,where i went to okay my ticket there was this guy with the whola american accent going on,meen and phyuk and all that u wount believe the guy s based in south africa o mayb u ll have to go back to naija and spend like a month for proper re-orientation
Posted: at 18-03-2008 11:34 AM (17 years ago) | Upcoming
myragonza
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