I had a wonderful heartwarming journey to Lagos, Nigeria. Soon after I graduated from Mount Holyoke College, I was on my way to Lagos to serve for two years in the Peace Corps. Before going, I had nearly 2 months of intensive training on Nigerian life and customs. I learned how to converse in Igbo (then called Ibo), to play netball, and I had training in delivering a baby. We learned about the politics of Nigeria.
I was assigned to the Federal Emergency Science School, a post-secondary institution where the students were excellent scientists and with other interests as well. I was given the assignment to teach German, which hadn’t been taught in Lagos. During my second year at the school, I met my future husband, a Nigerian man. We married and had three children. The youngest, Sam, is in Nigeria where he now manages a TV station and does other work with productions. I stayed with him. My older son, Chinaku, 58, is also nearby.
What did I do with Sam? I visited the sites where he was filming a production of a show from China and Nigeria. He was also involved in creating a show to celebrate Nigerian popular singers. I saw one of his children but the other was in Kenya at secondary school. I saw some of my Nigerian family, a friend of mine and met several other people wanting to get an interview with me. I had a session with Nigerwives, with about 30 people there. I was one of the founders of the organization and it was very good seeing them. I sold and even signed a few of my books.It had been almost 4 years since I was last in Nigeria and I almost didn’t know what to expect. However, the time there reminded me of many of the things I loved about it. One surprising reminder was how I was revered and greeted due to my status as an elder.
I hope to go back soon. This time travel from Lagos to the village, Nanka, into which I was married so many years ago and stayed for a year during the Biafran war!
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