Every time you turn on the TV or read the papers in Europe you are hit with news of African immigrants entangled in one crime or the other.
This occurrence begs the question, is it possible God made Africans unable to figure out what is right or wrong or even to obey simple orders.
Most times I keep asking, is it that we don’t want to help ourselves and then the big question, how do you really help a person who does not want to help himself or herself?
Some people blame the mentality of the African on former colonial masters or the white people. They say they came to our continent and changed the way we do things while others blame it on racism.
However nobody has ever looked in the mirror and to see that often times we are our own problem.
Most African nations got their independence more than 60 years ago while a few other nations got their independence in the 80/90s.
If a man at 60 can not figure out what he wants to do with his life something is seriously wrong.
Our leaders have so badly managed the African economy that our brothers and sisters are forced to flee Africa in droves.
Their is no doubt that immigrants face hostilities in different fronts but it is baffling that a good number of them when they arrive in foreign countries become outlaws and will do every thing else but follow and obey simple rules of their host nations.
Let’s face the fact, you come to someone else’s house uninvited, he took you in most times under pressure, gave you shelter and food and you turn around and spit on his face and disregard his laws with impunity.
If you were in his shoes, how will you react to a visitor who has no regards for rules and regulations? Someone who abuses your hospitality with criminality.
I know some of these Africans will call me and those who think like I do, “sell outs or black men with a white soul” but I honestly believe as somebody who has basically lived half of his life in Italy, that I stand a better chance to make the case for both the immigrants and the host nations.
I came to Italy when there were few blacks in this country and back then most of the blacks were students. Then there were a lot of respect both ways.
From the time I came here and realized that black people were less than 0.01{c45cf338a462ca509edbe47468f20bc08b80b46a3d7b36f5657b2a6bc418ef14} of the entire population, I made up my mind that if I wanted to succeed I must work very hard, respect the people around me as they respect me.
That decision has guided me for almost three decades and so many other immigrants who saw being in Europe as an opportunity to legitimately improve their lives and we have so many good things to show for it.
I strongly believe that if the new crop of immigrants should leave behind their desperate attitude, take this place as home instead of a war zone, integrate with the populace and subject themselves to constituted authorities they will have a greater chance of success.
Let us find that common ground by being law abiding, familiarising one’s self with the host nation’s culture, learning the local language (yes it is very important). If you can not speak the local language how would you work? Ultimately, if you are not working how do you live that life you dreamed of, before risking your life to come to Europe or wherever you find yourself.
If that purpose is defeated, most Africans turn to begging or committing crimes and ultimately end up in jail.
The choice is ours. We want respect and dignity in a foreign land, we got to earn it and work hard on it.
On the part of our host nations, personally I know they have demonstrated affection for immigrant’s time without number and it takes a lot to accept uninvited guests in your home or country.
The people agitating for the stoppage of immigrants, I hear your voice and I honestly believe you have a reason to be angry.
However I think its morally unjust to let these immigrants die on the high seas. For those that are already here let’s all join hands with the governments to find a workable solutions.
Since majority of these immigrants are youths and educated to some degree they can be made useful to themselves and to the host nation. Let’s not demonize them.
I would suggest the governments in Europe replace the present detention camps with orientation camps where every new immigrant must be compelled to stay for at least six months.
This will enable then to learn the language of the host nation, inculcate discipline and train for specific jobs relevant in their host country.
After this orientation there is no doubt they will be ready to face the challenges of living in a civilised society.
All immigrants must be made to sign a good conduct agreement. Should they violate the terms of the agreement, they will be sent back to their country of origin
It is also suggested that after undergoing the training, the host government should consider giving the immigrants resident permits so they can work and fully contribute to the economy of the host nation.
There is no doubt that there are people benefiting from the movement of immigrants either from Africa, Asia or Middle East.
The EU governments must work with African governments to identify the criminal gangs feeding fat from this illegal migration.
It is also imperative that the host nations must work diligently with the police to fish out their partners in crime on this side of the shores.
Without a co-ordinated effort it will be difficult to stop illegal immigrants coming into the EU.
Finally EU governments must look at Africa in a different light. They should be treated as partners and not just a continent filled with poverty and disease.
What Africa needs now is not aid because it has never worked and will never work rather they should encourage and guarantee investment in key sectors in Africa like agriculture, electricity and infrastructure development.
This way the investors can tap into the raw material market and highly skilled labour force in Africa thereby getting return on their investment and creating job both at home and abroad.
This definitely will be a win-win situation for all.
Francis Onabis wrote from Italy
♧The opinion expressed in this article is solely the opinion of the author and not that of signaturetv.org
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