Emerging report indicates that many Nigerians have chosen to stay back in Ukraine, or escape to any of the neighbouring countries, rather than come back to Nigeria, amid the ongoing invasion by Russia’s Military Forces.One of them, an Economic Migrant to Ukraine,
Nnamdi Okafor, a 32-year-old man from Anambra State, who spoke to TheNiche in an exclusive phone chat, on Thursday, said that he would rather die in Ukraine, than return to Nigeria, insisting that nothing has changed in the country under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.His words:
“What am I coming back to Nigeria to do? Has anything changed in our country?“For now, I am still in Ukraine. I used to live in the capital city, Kyiv, but I have moved to one of the border towns, which is relatively safe presently.“But if the war reaches there, I will escape to another country by the grace of God. But if death becomes my destiny, so be it. I would rather remain here a refugee, than return to Nigeria.
”Asked why he will not take advantage of the Nigerian government’s free evacuation and return home, he stated that his life in Nigeria was pure hell, and not worth experiencing twice in one lifetime.He said: “My brother, the question you should have asked is why I left Nigeria in the first place. I came to Ukraine two years ago. Before I did, I had stayed in Nigeria for five years after my Youth Service, without a job. My country psychologically abused me. I was frustrated and miserable. I almost lost hope in life.
I was depressed.“But it took me only two months to secure a good job when I came to Ukraine, in early 2020. If not for this senseless war, life was beginning to have meaning for me once again.“So, if I hop into the plane, because I have seen a free flight, what happens after I come down in Abuja, or Lagos, or wherever? Has anything changed in Nigeria? Will I now get the job, lack of which forced me out?“I am not coming back. This war will end one day. But if it does not, we will decide what next to do.
But coming back to Nigeria is out of it for now. And mind you, I am not the only one staying put. The Students who were sent here by their rich parents to study may go home, but I doubt if any Economic Migrant like me will dare do that.”