If you were to leave Nigeria today, what would you miss most about the country?
I would miss the Nigerian people most. Nigerians are an amazingly dynamic, resilient and funny people. When I leave, I think I will probably also miss the Abuja weather, although less so the rainy season.
If there was a Nigerian food you’d like to eat over and over again, what would it be?
It will probably be Jollof rice. I hope to learn how to make it while I’m in Nigeria.
Is that the first meal you had in Nigeria?
I think my first meal in Nigeria was actually a suya pizza. The first authentic Nigerian food I can remember I ate was egusi soup with fish – very nice, if not too spicy.
What Nigerian book are you currently reading or have read?
I have just started reading ‘The Fishermen’ by Chigozie Obioma, which was published by Cassava Republic. I had the pleasure of hearing Chigozie read from his novel at an event in Abuja last weekend and so far, his book is a really gripping story about how the prophesy of a madman dramatically changes the trajectory of four brothers growing up in the early 1990s Nigeria.
Is that the first Nigerian book you’ll be reading?
No surprise perhaps, but the first Nigerian book I read was ‘Things Fall Apart’ by the great Chinua Achebe (now decreased). Years after reading it, I learned that the title for Achebe’s masterpiece is taken from a line of Irish poetry, ‘The Second Coming’ by William Butler Yeats.
If you were to adopt a place in Nigeria where would it be and why?
I would adopt one of the many areas where large numbers of internally displaced people live alongside host communities. In May, I visited a number of such communities in Adamawa State and saw people who had fled their homes in Borno State. Many people in the areas most affected by Boko Haram’s violent insurgency continue to face extreme difficulties on a daily basis and do not even have enough food to eat. I would adopt them because I think we all – Nigerians and the international community alike – should show more solidarity with those who continue to suffer the human consequences of the security crisis in the North-East of the country we live in.
What was your impression about Nigeria before your first visit and when you got into the country?
There is a large and vibrant Nigerian community in Ireland, including in my hometown of Cork, so that certainly coloured my view of Nigeria in a positive way. When I learned I would be coming to Nigeria – it was January 2015 – everyone (my family and friends) was very apprehensive about the upcoming presidential (and governorship) elections and the continued threat posed by Boko Haram. By the time I first came to Nigeria in June 2015, Nigeria had inaugurated a new president (Muhammadu Buhari) in a watershed moment for democracy on the continent and was making steady progress in the fight against Boko Haram.
How many states have you visited in the country?
I have been to seven states in addition to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, so far. But that number will continue to rise. As a diplomat, I’m based in Abuja and regularly work in the nation’s commercial centre of Lagos. Work has also taken me to Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, Cross River, Enugu and Adamawa states.
Where’s your favourite fun spot in Nigeria?
It’s always a pleasure to learn more about Nigerian history and culture. For example, I really enjoyed a visit to the Calabar Museum not long ago. It’s housed in a former British colonial building and I was interested in learning about the Efik people and also the history of Calabar. The beautiful old building housing the museum was where the Irish humanitarian, Roger Casement, who died 100 years ago this month, worked when he was with the British Foreign Service in Old Calabar in the 1890s. It is well worth a visit. I’m also hoping to visit the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos in the not too distant future.
Why do you want to visit the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos?
To see some live Afrobeat, maybe performed by his son Femi, and to take in the atmosphere of the most famous music venue in Nigeria.
Do you see any similarity between Nigeria and Ireland?
Nigeria and Ireland have a close relationship which goes back to before either of the countries even existed. A huge number of Irish missionaries spent their lives working in Nigeria over the years, and they made an immense contribution to the development of Nigeria, especially in the area of education. Our Taoiseach (Prime Minister) came to Lagos to celebrate Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and the embassy in which I now work was established not long after the visit. More recently, the Irish Minister for Agriculture and Defence (Simon Coveney) led the largest ever Irish trade mission to Nigeria in December last year. In the other direction, the Nigerian Minister of State for Aviation (Hadi Sirika) was recently in Dublin. This reflects the focus on economic activity which is a key part of the embassy’s work today.
There are many similarities between Nigerian people and Irish people. We both support football teams which wear green jerseys. St. Patrick is a patron saint in both countries. Guinness is a very popular drink in both places. Also, with such a large Nigerian Diaspora in a small country like Ireland, many Nigerians here have friends and families in Ireland. So the people-to-people links between our two countries are exceptionally strong.
Have you attended a Nigerian party and how would you describe the experience?
Sure. I’ve been to many Nigerian receptions, parties and a couple of weddings. In fact, I’m very much looking forward to a colleague’s wedding this weekend (last Saturday). Nigerians definitely know how to party.
Do you have any favourite local Nigerian attire?
On Fridays, many of my colleagues wear impressive and colourful traditional outfits to work. While I’m never able to compete with their style, I do have a couple of Nigerian outfits which I wear from time to time.
Do you have a local nickname?
Does Oyinbo count?
Are you actually called Oyinbo? What does it mean?
Yes; from time to time. It’s a word used to refer to a white person in pidgin.
Do you speak any Nigerian language?
Unfortunately, I do not. Apart from developing an understanding of pidgin from listening to radio programmes like Brekety Family on my morning commute, I’ve picked up a few words of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo; though I find the latter especially challenging.
What fun activity do you like engaging in?
I like watching the Super Eagles when they play. So far, it’s looking good for the Nigerian Dream Team at the Olympics in Brazil. It would be great to see them repeat the gold medal heroics of 1996. I grew up playing the Irish sports of Gaelic Football and Hurling and still take a strong interest in these sports, especially the fate of Cork. I also like reading and playing squash in my spare time.
Who is your favourite Nigerian entertainer, either in the music or film industry?
For me, it’s impossible to look past the inimitable Fela.
What Nigerian music do you love dancing to?
Again, it has to be Fela Kuti; or, maybe King Sunny Ade. Though, I’m not much of a dancer; it has to be said.
What is it about Fela that you find irresistible?
I think there’s an amazing rhythm to Fela’s music and his style of longer songs, sometimes just two per album. His bands over the years provided some great backing for his unique vocals and highly political lyrics.
Have you met him before?
Fela died many years before I arrived in Nigeria so I sadly will never meet him but it’s still very interesting to listen and think about his brand of activism and social criticism.
What’s your favourite King Sunny Ade’s song?
Anything off his best of the classic years album is exciting; maybe ‘Synchro system.’
Do you love listening to King Sunny Ade and Fela’s music?
Sure, though I listen to Fela more regularly.
Do you plan to spend the rest of your life in Nigeria?
Unless you can have a quiet word with my Headquarters in Dublin, I’m afraid not. In the diplomatic service, it’s usual to move and work elsewhere after a few years in Nigeria.
Have you been to a ‘mama put’ (local restaurant) before?
Sure; my favourite (meal) is grilled fish from the ladies at Mogadishu Cantonment near the Abacha Barracks in Abuja. The atmosphere there is lively and the food delicious. It is definitely high on my list of places to bring Irish visitors when they come to Abuja.
What culture shock have you had to cope with in the country?
I’m not sure I’ve found myself dealing with any real culture shock. The security infrastructure took some getting used to. Traffic in Lagos can be pretty shocking at times but there’s a lot of bumper sticker wisdom on display: ‘No food for lazy man,’ ‘No hurry in life,’ ‘No peace for the wicked,’ among others.
Are you in Nigeria with your family? If not, do you miss home sometimes?
I’m here on my own. So while I miss my family, especially Granny Kelly back in Cork, who is 101 years old, modern technology combined with being in the same time zone means that it’s actually very easy to keep in touch with people at home.