I’ll never forget these dates as long as the cords of memory will lengthen, which are October 13-19, 2024, and January 20-February 4, 2025, when I flew to and spent time in Abuja, Nigeria. These were my first two trips outside of the United States and I was nervously excited. Of course I have a few flights under my belt but these were indeed my longest flights which was over 20 hours from Jacksonville, FL with connecting flights in Washington, DC and Frankfurt, Germany. I flew the exact same routes for both flights. My first trip was for one week and my second trip was for two weeks.
What triggered my desire to fly to Nigeria was after my 51st birthday, I had this overwhelming desire to discover my African roots. Prior to that time I dated a Cameroonian woman for about a year and I greatly benefited from the relationship learning more about African customs and traditions which really sparked my interest. Notwithstanding, I attended University with African students from all of the continent, the first church I served as pastor in Douglas, Georgia I had a Nigeria couple who attended who my late wife Tan and I had dinner and she and the wife were coworkers and became very good friends. I had made friends with some Nigerians while living in Valdosta, Georgia. When I lived in Auburn, Alabama my neighbors across the street were from Ghana and spent time in their home. Also, I have a good friend in Orlando, Florida who is Nigerian that I visit every time I travel there.
I made myself a promise that the predominant Ancestry I have is the country I would visit. And I discovered that I’m over 1/3 Nigerian, 1/3 Cameroonian, and 1/3 mixture of other West African countries. I also discovered that I’m Yoruba and connected with my sister Uwem Obot, who assisted me in acquiring my Visa.
The sights, sounds, and smells of Abuja assured me that I had returned home. Whether I was at the mall, bank, restaurant, hotel, art gallery, grocery store, retail plaza and walking in neighborhoods, I had made a spiritual connection with the land of my ancestors. I wore my native attire, picked up Yoruba and pidgin phraseology and blended in with my people. Unlike America, I didn’t have to be so self conscious as a black man thinking I would overlooked, ignored, stereotyped, hassled or discriminated against because of my skin color and how I am viewed by the generality of American society.
The food, the music, the languages, and native attire reminded me of how much I had been robbed of my authentic African culture and playing catch up at 51 ( now 52) is a daunting task but I’m ready, willing, and able to learn because I realize that destiny is tied to my real identity. I have made amazing friends in Nigeria that I keep in contact with daily. I do recall many black Americans who have visited the African continent relayed the experience will change your life forever and it certainly has for me. I do not see the Western world and the United States the same. I do not expect those who haven’t been to understand. Because as my pastor says often, once you see it you can’t unsee it.
I had the great privilege of attending a hearing at National Assembly at the Nigerian House of Representatives and met legislators, military personnel, and lobbyists appealing to the government to enforce laws on the book for persons with disabilities. My lodging was at 4 star hotel and I ate some of the best food I ever had in my life without additives and preservatives.
My experience totally contradicted the negative media imaging about West Africa, Nigeria, and the continent as a whole. Nigerians are some of the most intelligent, kind, passionate, polite, helpful, and beautiful people on the planet. I look forward to many more trips and investing in this amazing country. I love Nigeria!!!
Dr. Bennie E. Calloway, III 