These were some of the questions that ran through the mind of video blogger Ikenna Azuike, the founder ofWhat’s Up Africa before he returned home recently to shoot the video “Back to Ikenna’s Roots“. During his recent visit to Nigeria, he shot an emotional video, showing how he retraced his steps back to the house where he grew up as a child, went to the same flat he lived with his parents and recalled some of his childhood memories.
Born in Surulere, Lagos 33 years ago, Ikenna attended Adebokun Primary School and St. Saviours School Ebute Metta in Lagos before moving to the UK with his parents when he was nearly 8 years old. Although before 2013 he paid a visit to Nigeria 15 years ago, this was the first time he was returning to the house he left as a child 26 years ago. The video which is a must watch for everyone, especially those living abroad.
But just before you watch the video, read a bit more about Ikenna who tells BellaNaija the story of his journey from Lagos to Amsterdam, and how he started his video blogging site What’s Up Africa.
My Family
My Mum is half German and half Ukranian and my Dad was born in a village in Imo State called Umunakanu. My parents are very loving and have always put me first. They lived together in Lagos for 11 years and then we moved to the UK. We are a very close family of just 3, unfortunately I don’t have any siblings. But I do have plenty of cousins based all over the world. I now live in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with my Dutch girlfriend and our daughter.
My Mum is half German and half Ukranian and my Dad was born in a village in Imo State called Umunakanu. My parents are very loving and have always put me first. They lived together in Lagos for 11 years and then we moved to the UK. We are a very close family of just 3, unfortunately I don’t have any siblings. But I do have plenty of cousins based all over the world. I now live in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with my Dutch girlfriend and our daughter.
What’s Up Africa
After, I guess encouragement from my Dad (you know how it is with Nigerian fathers), I studied Law and worked as a Lawyer for four and a half years. But despite the financial security of that profession and the opportunities to live and work in London, Singapore and New York, I was very unhappy and wanted to do something more creative and fulfilling. So, much to the then dismay of my Dad, I decided to leave my Legal career and start a new one in Journalism. I joined Radio Netherlands Worldwide and pitched the idea to them for What’s Up Africa – a concept inspired by US Satirical News Show called ‘The Daily Show’. They liked it and here I am today. My Dad sees how much happier I am and what I’m achieving and is very proud of me, as is my Mum.
After, I guess encouragement from my Dad (you know how it is with Nigerian fathers), I studied Law and worked as a Lawyer for four and a half years. But despite the financial security of that profession and the opportunities to live and work in London, Singapore and New York, I was very unhappy and wanted to do something more creative and fulfilling. So, much to the then dismay of my Dad, I decided to leave my Legal career and start a new one in Journalism. I joined Radio Netherlands Worldwide and pitched the idea to them for What’s Up Africa – a concept inspired by US Satirical News Show called ‘The Daily Show’. They liked it and here I am today. My Dad sees how much happier I am and what I’m achieving and is very proud of me, as is my Mum.
Why it took so long to return to Nigeria
I was invited to come to Lagos to speak at a Video Blogger Workshop during the Social Media Week Lagos. It took ages for me to come back because I didn’t feel the intensity of needing to reconnect with Lagos. I have always had Nigerian friends and family close to me and I read about Nigerian news online. But about 3 years ago, I started to get an itch to get back to Lagos. I can’t explain why it happened all of a sudden, but it just did. Now that I’ve had such an intense trip back and I enjoyed it so much, I can guarantee that I’ll be back more often.
I was invited to come to Lagos to speak at a Video Blogger Workshop during the Social Media Week Lagos. It took ages for me to come back because I didn’t feel the intensity of needing to reconnect with Lagos. I have always had Nigerian friends and family close to me and I read about Nigerian news online. But about 3 years ago, I started to get an itch to get back to Lagos. I can’t explain why it happened all of a sudden, but it just did. Now that I’ve had such an intense trip back and I enjoyed it so much, I can guarantee that I’ll be back more often.
Differences between living in Nigeria and living abroad
Nigeria is full of opportunities right now. We as a people are entrepreneurial and driven, we are loud and proud. That’s a pretty exciting combination but although on an emotional and perhaps career level, I know I could enjoy life in Nigeria with my family (and it is something I’ve seriously considered since my recent trip), I know that right now my quality of life in terms of traffic, cost of living, proximity to my parents and friends is better in the Netherlands. The decision I have to make is which is more important to me at this stage of my life. Nigeria is not going anywhere so I may just have to be patient. If I don’t relocate now, perhaps next year or the year after that.
Nigeria is full of opportunities right now. We as a people are entrepreneurial and driven, we are loud and proud. That’s a pretty exciting combination but although on an emotional and perhaps career level, I know I could enjoy life in Nigeria with my family (and it is something I’ve seriously considered since my recent trip), I know that right now my quality of life in terms of traffic, cost of living, proximity to my parents and friends is better in the Netherlands. The decision I have to make is which is more important to me at this stage of my life. Nigeria is not going anywhere so I may just have to be patient. If I don’t relocate now, perhaps next year or the year after that.
My perception of Nigeria
Booming! Economically, technically and creatively – but these huge opportunities are only accessible to a small minority of our population. 47% of the country may be entrepreneurial and driven but they are also illiterate. We need better, stronger leadership; we need to harness the power of our diaspora community, we need stronger institutions. We are on the right road and we have incredibly positive role models. But we have some way to go.
Booming! Economically, technically and creatively – but these huge opportunities are only accessible to a small minority of our population. 47% of the country may be entrepreneurial and driven but they are also illiterate. We need better, stronger leadership; we need to harness the power of our diaspora community, we need stronger institutions. We are on the right road and we have incredibly positive role models. But we have some way to go.
What the visit taught me
It has taught me that even though I may have Nigerian friends and family abroad, it’s important to stay physically in touch with my roots. There is no virtual or internet substitute in the world that can compare with walking Lagos streets, meeting and laughing with fellow Lagosians, breathing in the Lagos smog…
It has taught me that even though I may have Nigerian friends and family abroad, it’s important to stay physically in touch with my roots. There is no virtual or internet substitute in the world that can compare with walking Lagos streets, meeting and laughing with fellow Lagosians, breathing in the Lagos smog…
Lessons Learnt
To bring more money to Lagos next time. The city is expensive!
To bring more money to Lagos next time. The city is expensive!
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