It
is unthinkable that Africans would at any given time, prefer to spend time in
foreign prisons to being subjected to harsh economic realities of the time
especially with the high level of insecurity, lack of social amenities, high crime
rate, etc. The crushing poverty currently ravaging most African countries which
is largely blamed on bad leadership sadly, has sent many especially youths, to
early graves while enroute foreign countries. Most of these emigrants transit
to the next life through the Sahara desert, in the sea or suffocate in
containers while some who were lucky to have crossed over, ended up prisoners.
These survivors face stiff immigration laws which of course turn them into
prisoners of some sort and while in quest for Permanent Resident Permit, get
involved in sham marriages which most often, mark the beginning of their fatal
end.
These
and more are issues that Ndubuisi George sets out to address in his latest
thought-provoking literary work titled, Woes of Ikenga, published by Kraft
Books Limited. The book which is made up of 17 chapters and 325 interesting
pages, is George’s modest literary offering towards sensitising Nigerians and
Africans in general, on the need to avoid being lured into abandoning their
home countries in search for an illusive greener pastures in foreign countries.
The
name Ikenga in the title, is symbolic of an Igbo deity but on a first look,
tempts readers into thinking the story is about certain traditional beliefs but
the picture of a man and his reflection checking out, gives a hint about the
main thrust of the novel. Woes of Ikenga is an intense moving narrative
exposing the level at which Africans struggle for survival in foreign
countries, through engaging in demeaning jobs which they never bargained for.
It sends a stern warning to any Nigerian and indeed African who believes that
it is better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven, to count the cost before
intending to emigrate.
The
author spends time in the first chapter, with historical and cultural
background of the protagonist Ikenga, a twin boy whose name symbolises “place
of strength”, given to him after the horned deity known for its resilience,
strength and purity in an imaginary community, Umuafor, where the story is
partly set. Driven by acute poverty in his war-torn land Umuafor and loss of
mother at a tender age, Ikenga begins nursing the desire to travel outside
Nigeria for better opportunities. At 19, after a short working experience at a
foreign company based in Port Harcourt, and an aborted attempt to make fortune
out of statues he steals from Ogwugwu shrine, Ikenga embarks on a suicidal
journey to Germany. He encounters several near death situations in the Sahara
Desert and the sea while in transit. Once in Germany, Ikenga peddles drugs as a
means of survival and also marries a German, Vanessa so as to obtain the much
needed Resident Permit. Not even his relationship with Vanessa that begets
Ahamefuna is able to aid the realisation of his dream especially with his
refusal to bow to indoctrination of the whiteman’s culture.
His
woes however, degenerate into several prison experiences and the rest is better
read than imagined. On page 298, “Life in Balthazar was far better than being
free men in their own countries.” is used to portray the height of frustrations
Africans face in foreign countries. Ikenga’s is such a pathetic narrative that
captures in vivid terms, the scary nature of life of Africans in host and
hostile countries.
Readers
cannot help but feel the pains these unfortunate hustlers feel during struggle
for survival. George’s book critically
examines the sanity in leaving one’s home country regardless of how
perilous times have become, only to face constant police surveillance and
harassment, engage in demeaning jobs for survival, become drug addict and or
drug peddler, engage in sham marriages which most often, end up in frustration,
imprisonment, loss of life and deportation. The author meticulously, exposes
diverse conditions of diaspora citizens which portray “obvious symptoms of
emotional and mental breakdown and degeneration.”
The
author in this life-changing book, not only succeeds in compiling an expose on
life of diaspora citizens but critically portrays the place of literature as an
important tool for social, economic, political etc, change in a society. The
Agulu, Anambra State born novelist through the intense yet amusing narrative,
offers readers a window into what life in Europe and other Western countries is
like, with the aim of discouraging individuals who erroneously believe those
countries hold solution to their hardship.
Although
the author failed to satisfy his non Igbo language users with a glossary of
words, he must be given thumbs up for display of vastness in traditions and
culture as appropriately represented with the right words as well as rich
proverbs.
Woesof Ikenga is indeed a priceless reference material that stimulates intellectual
curiosity. It makes an interesting read for students, teachers and lecturers in
the continent.
By Prisca Sam-Duru
Woes of Ikenga by Ndubuisi George is available online!
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