Ella Waweya, The Israel Defense Forces’ Top Muslim Woman, Speaking Out to The Arab World
New Age Islam News Bureau
13 July 2024
· Ella Waweya, The Israel Defense Forces’ Top Muslim Woman, Speaking Out to The Arab World
· Muslim Girl Kicked Out of Karate Class for Wearing Hijab; Karate Canada Says Head Coverings Are Permitted
· As Bombs Shatter Gaza, Boxing Coach, Osama Ayoub, Emboldens Palestinian Girls in a Tent Camp
· France Accepting Applications from Afghan Women Refugees
· Human Trafficking Module Busted in Baramulla, 4 Minor Rohingya Girls Rescued
· When Women in Tehran Enjoyed Freedom, Wore Short Skirts
· Iranian Dissident Alleges Pezeshkian's Violent Hijab Enforcement in 1979
· Saudi Arabia Expects More Women to Work In Tourism Industry
· Surviving in UK Tough, I Struggled To Pay School Fees — Nigerian Woman
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Ella Waweya, The Israel Defense Forces’ Top Muslim Woman, Speaking Out to The Arab World
JULY 13, 2024
Head of the Arabic media desk at the IDF
Spokesperson Unit Major "Captain" Ella Waweya; highest ranked Arab
Muslim IDF soldier. 20.7.2024.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
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The walls of the office of Maj. Ella Waweya, 34, at the IDF spokesperson headquarters in northern Tel Aviv, are dotted with diplomas, certificates of merit, and family pictures, as well as beautiful Arabic calligraphy of the Quran, alongside a Druze flag, a cross, a small copy of the Zohar (Jewish mysticism book), and flags of participating Abraham Accords countries.
“I don’t leave anyone behind,” she says, smiling.
Waweya has served in the army for 10 years. She hails from the Arab Israeli town of Kalansuwa, where all the citizens are Muslim Arabs. Her formal title is deputy spokesperson for the Arab world and head of the Arab communications department, working under IDF Arabic spokesperson Col. AvichaiAdraee.
“In my area at that time there were no soldiers in the IDF – certainly not female soldiers; though some did enlist in the police,” she says. She enlisted at the relatively late age of 24, after first securing a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in government studies.
“Ten years later, there are now 10 soldiers from Kalansuwa [in the IDF], and I believe I’m allowed to take credit for that,” she adds proudly. “I come home in my uniform, and people ask questions about the army. Those who want to join, I accompany from A to Z.”
What led you to enlist?
It all started with a dilemma I felt regarding my identity. I was 12 during the Second Intifada, and the only channel we used to watch was Al Jazeera. Interestingly, Shireen Abu Akleh had just started her position, and we would see her and her aggressiveness while reporting.
I looked at her and said to myself: ‘I want to be a journalist, but not like her.’ My message would be different, coming not from a blindly Palestinian point of view but as part of my identity dilemma. People always wanted to define me, whether as an ‘Arab of ’48’ or an Israeli Arab. Everyone defined me differently – except for myself.
I had actually wanted to be a doctor, but by then I already wanted to be a journalist. I wanted to show ‘my side,’ even though at that time I didn’t know what it was exactly.
At age 16, I got my ID as is customary in Israel. It was blue. I realized that I am Israeli and thought to myself that if I am Israeli, I must do something about it. The state brought me this identity, and I was looking for ways to associate myself with being Israeli. There was no awareness back then, and the Internet was not very developed, so I couldn’t learn online. I had to wait with these feelings bubbling inside me.
Time passed, but the thoughts did not stop. When I started my bachelor’s degree, I decided to take part in National Service at the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba. During my time there, I remember playing chess with one of the security guards, a Bedouin, during a sleepy night shift. He suddenly asked me, ‘Why didn’t you go to the army?’ And I said. ‘I wanted to, but they wouldn’t want me because I’m an Arab woman.’ He connected me with Col. Yossi Haddad, who was the head of the Bedouin tracker unit, to whom I give credit for my enlistment.
When I finished my degree in 2012, I took part in a press conference in Eilat. There was a panel regarding recruitment of the haredim [ultra-Orthodox] headed by then-IDF spokesperson Polly Mordechai and esteemed journalist Roni Daniel. One ultra-Orthodox person stood up and started explaining why he and his society shouldn’t enlist in the army.
I was 21 and asked to speak. I told that person: ‘Shame on you! As a Muslim Arab, I wish I could join the army!’ Suddenly everyone started clapping. I didn’t understand why, but at the end of the panel both Mordechai and Daniel turned to me, commending me for what I had said. Mordechai asked his secretary to take my details to help me enlist. From there, everything started to unfold.
Suddenly, phone calls began to come, and I was offered a post at the IDF Spokespersons Unit, at first as a non-officer commander. I was mainly happy to know that I would be a commander. In fact, I had no idea that there were so many functions in the IDF. I thought that there were only combatants and thought I’d enlist in Caracal [an all-female or mixed combat unit in the IDF].
This week, you celebrated 10 years in the IDF. How do you feel about it?
It was the best decision I ever made. Enlisting was a personal decision; I didn’t consult anyone. The environment was not one that encouraged enlisting; I just decided one day to get up and get on that bus.
At the enlisting office, all the new recruits arrived with their parents, hugged them, and waved their emotional goodbyes. I had no one to say goodbye to. Only a year and a half into my military service did my parents find out that I was in the army. I have lived away from home since age 19 due to my studies, and my parents thought that I was just studying and working.
Source: jpost.com
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-809892
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Muslim Girl Kicked Out of Karate Class for Wearing Hijab; Karate Canada Says Head Coverings Are Permitted
13.07.2024
TRENTON, Canada
File Photo
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The Quebec Human Rights Commission is seeking a $13,000 settlement on behalf of a 12-year-old Muslim girl who was kicked out of her karate class for wearing a hijab, Canadian media reported Friday.
“For their part, the plaintiffs felt a feeling of injustice and exclusion,” according to the Commission, CTV News reported. “(T)hey remain worried about the effects of the situation in dispute for their daughter.”
The controversy unfolded when an instructor at Montreal’s Karate Auto DefenceLamarre told the girl that unless she removed the hijab she would not be allowed to participate in class.
The instructor justified her decision by explaining that because of the karate martial arts philosophy, all students must wear the same uniform. The girl left in tears.
But Karate Canada, the national association, said head coverings are permitted.
“Karate Canada has taken a leadership role … in petitioning the world karate federation to allow athletes to wear head coverings,” it said in a statement to CTV News. “The world karate federation had approved that hijabs are welcomed to be used in competition.”
Karate Auto DefenceLamarre, however, is not part of Karate Canada.
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) said situations like this can be “very distressing” and scar young people.
“I can well imagine a 12-year-old being told off like that because she joined the sport because she loved it,” CCMW board member Shaheen Ashraf told CTV News. “It's about time that people stood up for their rights, you know, and it's a basic human right.”
Source: aa.com.tr
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/muslim-girl-kicked-out-of-karate-class-for-wearing-hijab/3273989
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As Bombs Shatter Gaza, Boxing Coach, Osama Ayoub, Emboldens Palestinian Girls in a Tent Camp
July 12, 2024
GAZA: Israel’s offensive in Gaza has pulverized most of its sports facilities and equipment, but that has not stopped boxing coach Osama Ayoub from training Palestinian girls in a tent camp that offers no protection from airstrikes or shelling.
The boxing club where girls once learned to jab, build their stamina, and make friends has been demolished.
There are no protective equipment, ring, or punch bags in the open-air sandy space between the tents where displaced girls now practice — a mattress and pillow will have to do — but Ayoub says the training has helped them overcome their fear of war.
“They started going out on the street. They started going out at night. Their personalities became much stronger, and even their families saw they were stronger,” he said.
It’s all about improvization. One young girl unleashes barehanded punches and weaves left and right to dodge imaginary fists. “Throw a right,” yells the coach, who puts up his fists for the girls to punch.
“They have determination, they have contentment, they have courage. At first, they were afraid of the war we are living in, but through boxing, they have benefited a lot,” he said.
Gaza offered playgrounds, football, tennis, karate, and other sports before terrifying bombs began dropping from the skies, flattening entire neighborhoods.
Attempts to restart sports are risky, even when played outside. On Tuesday, an Israeli missile slammed into a football match at a tent encampment, killing at least 29 people, Palestinian officials said.
Yet the boxers dream of international competitions overseas worlds away from Gaza. This tiny, densely populated enclave suffered from poverty and high unemployment even long before Hamas triggered the war on Oct. 7.
“I hope that this war will end and that our message will reach everyone in the name of the girls of Gaza,” said one of the boxers, BilsanAyoub.
The chances of that happening soon are slim. Months of mediation by the US, Egypt, and Qatar have failed to secure a truce between Israel and its arch-enemy Hamas, never mind a permanent ceasefire.
So, all the boxers can do is keep practicing as each side demands concessions from the other, and the conflict rages.
“We do not have anything left, being displaced. We do not have clips, gloves, teeth protection, said Ayoub, who has to improvise daily to keep her dream of international competition alive.
“The tools are very simple, but we want to continue in this game until we achieve our dream and end the war,” she said.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2548691/middle-east
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France Accepting Applications from Afghan Women Refugees
July 12, 2024
A court in France has issued a historic decision granting asylum to Afghan women refugees. Judges at the French National Court of Asylum have cited Taliban actions against “women’s rights and freedoms” as the basis for this decision.
In a statement, the court noted that since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have “harmed the fundamental rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls.”
The court recognizes all Afghan women as a social group eligible for protection as refugees.
The French National Court of Asylum stated it follows a ruling issued on January 16 by the European Union Court of Justice.
Previously, the EU Court of Justice issued a ruling under which women could seek asylum if they “are subjected to physical or psychological violence due to their gender in their country of origin.”
The statement added that under the Geneva Convention, Taliban actions against women, such as restricting access to health and education services, freedom of movement, and excluding them from governmental structures, constitute “serious discrimination” and “persecution.”
Under this court ruling, Afghan women fleeing discriminatory acts and persecution by the Taliban in their country can now apply for asylum in France with a high chance of acceptance.
Afghans have applied for asylum in France in the past five years more than any other nationality.
According to data from the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons, Afghan citizens submitted 17,103 asylum applications in 2022, which represents 15% of the total asylum applications in France.
Previously, Sweden and Denmark also announced that they would automatically grant asylum to Afghan women refugees due to discriminatory policies by the Taliban against Afghan women.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/france-accepting-applications-from-afghan-women-refugees/
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Human Trafficking Module Busted in Baramulla, 4 Minor Rohingya Girls Rescued
July 12, 2024
A human trafficking module was busted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district and four minor Rohingya girls were rescued, police said on Friday.
Acting on a tip off from reliable sources, the police in Baramulla successfully dismantled a human trafficking module operating in Ushkura, a police spokesman said.
He said the investigation revealed that Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Ushkura, was involved in the trafficking and exploitation of minor girls from outside the Union Territory.
Accordingly, a case was registered at the Baramulla police station and investigation was taken up, he said.
Acting swiftly on the information, a police team raided Bhat’s residential premises and rescued three minor girls who are from Rohingya in Myanmar, the spokesman said.
The raid was conducted in the presence of a magistrate and lady police officials, he said.
During interrogation, Bhat confessed that he sold one girl to Mehraj Ahmad Tantray, a resident of Kanlibagh, the spokesman said.
He said a raid at Tantray’s residence led to the rescue of another minor Rohingya girl.
Both Bhat and Tantray have been arrested and efforts are underway to apprehend other individuals involved in this human trafficking racket, he added.
Source: indianexpress.com
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/human-trafficking-module-busted-baramulla-4-minor-rohingya-girls-rescued-9449949/
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When Women In Tehran Enjoyed Freedom, Wore Short Skirts
Jul 11 2024
Forty-six summers have passed from the time Dr Mohsin Raza arrived in Tehran from Aligarh to serve in a hospital but he has vivid memories of the Iranian Revolution.
Dr Raza was 36 years old when he arrived in snow-covered Tehran on January 22, 1978 with hopes of a great career. He was pleasantly surprised to find that women enjoyed ample freedom and wore short skirts.
Ironically, Tehran of the late 70s was ultra-modern and liberal where women enjoyed ample freedom in sharp contrast to present day Iran. He recalls that in those days, ladies in Tehran wore short skirts and enjoyed a lot of freedom but in Qom, they had to cover themselves in a ‘Chaadar.’
Dr Raza had no inkling that he would witness a historic revolution within eight months.
He was among 90 doctors and nurses who were selected and the only doctor in that batch who was nominated by AMU
After spending a couple of months in Raza Shah KabeerBimaristan in Tehran, he was posted to the religious capital, Qom, 140 -km away. Hardly had he settled into his new job in a large BimarsitanKamkar (Persian name for hospital) that the Revolution began. The transition was not easy as Qom was a cultural contrast to Tehran.
With the revolution in full swing, DrRaza’s daily schedule came to be dictated by midnight calls for removing bullets from bodies of injured locals who had been shot in clashes with the Army and police.
“I worked day and night during the Revolution in Iran. The Persian newspapers praised my work and began to describe me as the Surgeon of the Revolution (1978-’79). I earned so much respect and goodwill that shopkeepers near the Tomb of Hazrat Masooma, would refuse to take money from my family members when they went shopping.”
“I have removed bullets from every part of the body of those who were shot by the police and the army. I treated all sorts of trauma cases. In a single day, I was treating nearly fifty victims of road accidents. What kept me going was the hospital director DrBaniFatmi who treated me like a son,” he recalled.
He regrets that he was not able to save the life of a 14 year- old boy who was injured in firing. He died on the operation table in BimaristanKamkar“ I was able to save many lives but I regret that I could not save lives of all injured persons.’’
He says that although the Army and the police had instructions only to open fire in the air to quell the mob, clearly that was not the case with some protestors dying due to gunshot injuries.
“It was alleged their bodies were airdropped by the Shah’s helicopters into Sultan Salt Lake. During the revolution, many people went missing,” he said.
Dr Raza’s experience of three and a half years in Iran gave him an insight into social, political and religious life. He has fond memories of shaking hands with Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme leader, on three occasions.
“Ayatollah Khomeini was a very pious and straightforward man. I was quite impressed by him and would even try to speak like him to the amusement of my Iranian friends.”
He says, “The Islamic clergy had planned the revolution so secretly that even SAVAK, the much dreaded Iranian secret police and intelligence service, failed to detect the undercurrent of the revolution.’’
During the revolution, curfew was imposed at night. “ I was once stopped at gunpoint by the army in Qom at midnight when I was going to see a patient. Luckily, a policeman recognized me.’’
It did not take Dr Raza too long to get some idea of how the Iranian intelligence system worked. “After being selected, I was asked to provide 60 passport size pictures. In my early days in Qom, I was taken aback when a few policemen addressed me by my name on the streets. I realized that my pictures may have been circulated to law enforcement agencies to identify the entry of a foreigner into Iran.’’
He remembers the day the Revolution came to an end in February, 1979. “The Army, the police and Royal Guards came face to face with millions of people who had come out on the streets in Tehran. As doctors, we were prepared for heavy casualties but suddenly, General Abbas Karabari, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, ordered that the police and the army should go back to the barracks.’’
Dr Raza was watching State-run Iranian television in his house when this order was telecast. ‘’People began distributing sweets and embracing army and police personnel to mark the victory of their movement. The government fell and the Revolutionary Guards took over the country with Ayatollah Khomeini as their leader. The logo of State TV which showed a lion holding a sword changed overnight to a lion holding an olive branch.’’
Dr Raza, his wife Sohaila and daughters, Farah and Sumbul, made great friends in Iran. “ The Iranians were very friendly and hospitable and had a culture of bringing presents. Every Friday morning, a group of 15-20 Iranian nurses would come to our house to eat poori- subzi but would lend a helping hand to my wife in cooking, washing dishes and cleaning up the entire house.’’
He recalled his first glimpse of Shah Reza Shah Pehlavi. “ I was only 14 years old when I met the King of Iran and his second wife, Mallika Soraya during their visit to AMU in March, 1956. She was so stunning that the entire university was enamoured by her beauty.’’
“At that time, only two kings in the world, Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and Mohamed Reza Shah Pehlavi of Iran were addressed as His Majesty Imperial and got a 27 gun salute whenever they went overseas. He was a graduate from Sandhurst Military College in the UK and ruled with an iron fist.’’
‘’Three weeks before the Revolution came to an end, the king flew out of Tehran with his family in his own aeroplane which was called Nishaan. I still remember the the pictures of him kissing the tarmac before leaving for the United States. Ayatollah Khomeini who was living in exile in France, arrived two weeks after the King left.’’
“I left Iran in 1980 because there was not a single English medium school in Qom where I could send my children. I moved to Oman where I worked from 1981 to 2011.’’
On present day Iran, Dr Raza says, “ Despite sanctions by the United States and Europe, Iran has advanced militarily and scientifically to such a great extent that it is exporting Iranian missiles even to Russia. Iranian missiles are considered among the best in the world and are even a threat to the United States.’’
This surgeon loves Iran and can never forget the affection the Iranians showered on him during his stay there. “ It has been almost half a century but I am still in touch with the children of some of my patients.’’
Source: stratnewsglobal.com
https://stratnewsglobal.com/iran/when-women-in-tehran-enjoyed-freedom-wore-short-skirts/
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Iranian dissident alleges Pezeshkian's violent hijab enforcement in 1979
Friday, 07/12/2024
Germany-based Iranian dissident Mina Ahadi has accused Iran's newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian of violently enforcing the hijab on women at a university in 1979, well before it became mandatory.
Ahadi, who studied medicine at the University of Tabriz alongside her classmate Pezeshkian, told Iran International that after the Islamic Revolution, a radical group declared that women should wear the hijab, and it was Pezeshkian who was responsible for this group.
“It was not an official policy from [Supreme Leader] Khomeini or Tehran,” she recalled.
Ahadi’sfirst hand experience of Pezeshkian’s alleged misogyny directly challenges the mainstream media’s portrayal of Pezeshkian as a “reformer.”
“At first we did not take them seriously because they were a small group. We organized demonstrations on the streets of Tabriz. I held speeches on the street. We were against the hijab,” she said.
According to her, the Islamists “with beards were aggressive” and were part of Pezeshkian’s pro-Khomeini movement.
“[They] attacked us and said sexual insults. Later these men came with knives," she said.
As violence against women intensified in Tabriz, northwest Iran, Ahadi said protesters were forced to retreat from their street demonstrations.
“During one demonstration, a 16-year-old girl fell. I felt compelled to help her and went back, even though the men were chasing us with knives. It was very dangerous,” said Ahadi.
She also recounted that during her time working at a hospital near the medical school, Pezeshkian insisted that female employees wear a hijab. Some men told Ahadi, “If you want to enter the hospital, you need to wear a hijab.”
Ahadi said one of the Islamists, part of Pezeshkian’s group, enforced the compulsory hijab at the Tabriz hospital with a pistol. She responded, “If you have the courage, shoot.”
The dissident, who at the time was part of the Iranian left in Tabriz, said Khomeini’s “cultural revolution purged all universities” of secular freedoms.
According to her, Pezeshkian boasted that the University of Tabriz was the first Iranian university to undergo a "cultural revolution" orchestrated by the Islamic Republic.
This Islamist-driven purge of Tabriz's academic institutions, Ahadi said, led to her expulsion.
Pezeshkian and his violent Islamist movement in Tabriz were responsible for the murders of three students, according to Ahadi. She posted a picture on X of a student named Massoud, whose eyes were gouged out due to his opposition to the emerging Islamist regime. Two other students were also reportedly executed by the Islamists in Tabriz.
“We brought Massoud to a cemetery, and I delivered a speech. I said that this is a reactionary regime that is beginning to murder people,” she recounted.
The Islamic Republic executed Ahadi's husband in 1980. She was not at home when the regime raided her apartment and seized him.
Ahadi, who served as the spokeswoman for the Anti-Stoning Committee against the Islamic Republic’s medieval practice primarily targeting women, said, “Pezeshkian gave an interview with Iranian TV and said he ordered the hijab at the university before Khomeini started it.”
This week, the Iranian state-controlled outlet Tabnak posted one of Pezeshkian’s previous interviews regarding his role in implementing the forced hijab. Subsequently, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) publicized and shared the Tabnak report widely.
Ahadi’s account further corroborates Iran International contributor Majid Mohammadi’s piece, which details Pezeshkian’s misogynistic actions.
“He has been a strong advocate of compulsory hijab and cancel culture, even stating that he enforced these policies in a hospital and university under his management right after the 1979 Islamic takeover, before they were mandated,” Mohammadi wrote recently.
According to Ahadi and Mohammadi, Pezeshkian’s revolutionary political Islamism was even more extreme than Khomeini’s, who enforced the compulsory hijab in 1983.
Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Shah, fervent slogans such as "Wear a veil, or we will punch your head" and "Death to the unveiled" were promulgated.
Ahadi criticized the international media's portrayal of Pezeshkian, a cardiac surgeon, in his role as President.
"The international media reports that because a surgeon is in charge, everything is better. That is not true regarding Pezeshkian…his previous actions tell a different story," she said.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202407124557
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Saudi Arabia expects more women to work in tourism industry
12 July 2024
The tourism and hospitality industry in Saudi Arabia is experiencing a remarkable growth of women participation. By 2030, the goal is to have a 40% female workforce in the sector.
Initially, the Vision 2030 ambition of Saudi Arabia was to achieve a 30% female participation in the labour market. That number has already been surpassed and a new goal has therefore been set, aiming at 40%. If that ambition is reached, the number of employed women would double by 2030 compared to 2010.
Saudi officials consider the tourism and hospitality industry to be the perfect way to involve more women in the country’s workforce. 45% of the industry’s workforce already consists of female workers according to R Consultancy Group, translating to about 925,000 women.
The increased female participation in the Saudi workforce isn’t just good news for the general female economic empowerment in the country, the greater number of female workers also makes a difference within companies themselves.
“Recognised as a fundamental driver of economic diversification, the tourism and hospitality sector in particular benefits immensely from the integration of female talent. Their presence not only fuels the sector’s growth but also enhances its competitive edge and long-term viability through delivering an enriched tourism experience and driving innovation. Our dedication to inclusivity not only strengthens our economy but also reaffirms our collective commitment of creating a more prosperous and equitable society,” ZainabHamidaddin Al-Hanoof Al-Hazzani, Red Sea Global (a real estate development company) spokesperson, told Arab News.
However, growing participation aside, for many Saudi women, it still remains complicated to obtain a job, both due to their personal situation at home and their education levels. “It is also important to support gains for women at all levels and geographic areas. A key focus in Saudi Arabia is ensuring access to the training and childcare options needed for success, especially for women who have been out of the workforce for long periods of time, are first-time job holders, or have lower education levels”, said Laila Kuznezov, director, Implementation Practice at management consulting firm Oliver Wyman in an interview with Arab News.
Kuznezov also noted that a growing focus on cultural tourism, luxury experiences and heritage preservation in Saudi Arabia could present a never-before seen opportunity for women.
Source: traveltomorrow.com
https://traveltomorrow.com/saudi-arabia-expects-more-women-to-work-in-tourism-industry/
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Surviving in UK tough, I struggled to pay school fees — Nigerian woman
13th July 2024
Nigerian woman, Yetti Tabai, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI about her years of struggle as an undergraduate in the United Kingdom and her resilience to succeed
How long have you stayed in the UK and what is the experience like so far?
Most of my experiences during my time as a university student were hardships, particularly in terms of working multiple jobs to afford my fees. I initially thought I would receive a student loan as a British citizen, but my application was refused. It was then that I realised I needed to work two jobs to pay my university fees. I initially worked at McDonald’s and then at Nando’s. This meant I had to miss many lectures as I needed to work seven days a week, from noon to midnight. Consequently, I had to rely on online study despite being enrolled in a full-time degree programme. This affected my grades due to low attendance, but it was the only way I could afford my fees.
I worked seven days a week and saved money to pay for rent and tuition fees. At one point, I could not afford bus fare to and from the university. I saved up for about three months to buy a bicycle for £70, which allowed me to commute to school. Now, things have eventually worked out. What seemed so difficult at that time was the rigid educational system, but I overcame it eventually. I know better now.
What key factors have contributed to your success in the UK?
Working hard was my only option; failure was never a consideration. During my years of pursuing my degree, I made sure I was always studying. I worked hard to afford the things I needed. Having a reliable network of people was helpful, but it’s important to understand that others also have challenges. There weren’t many people to borrow from, which meant I had to work hard to afford what I needed in life. I didn’t let the challenges I faced deter me from my goals. Whether it took one year, two years, or three years to achieve them, I remained patient. I didn’t pressure myself by comparing my progress to others. The fact that my peers were achieving things didn’t make me borrow money to reach my goals faster. If it took forever, I would take my time and achieve it in God’s time. Through this hard work, I obtained an education and a job in information technology. I also opened a food business in Milton Keynes in 2023 and another in Manchester in 2018. It has been a journey of growth, diligence, and resilience.
How did you balance pursuing a law degree, a music career, and managing your restaurants?
After finishing my law degree, I did not proceed to practice law. Instead, I went into IT, which was earning me more money than what lawyers used to make back in the day. The money I made in IT was what I invested to start my restaurants. While starting my restaurant business, I also delved into music.
What is the difference between Nigeria and the UK?
The difference is that one place is hot and the other is very cold. Apart from weather differences, we are talking about how far your money can go and the network of people. In the UK, you don’t have a huge network of people to rely on. When you come to the UK, you need to understand that whatever goals you have, you might need to work on them by yourself because you don’t have a next-door neighbour who you can leave your children with. It is a very isolated kind of life in the UK. Of course, you would have friends now and then, but it’s not like Nigeria where it is very community-based. Sometimes, it can become lonely when you don’t know the people around you. Even if you know people, most are working and doing shifts around the clock, so you don’t have time to spend with them. In Nigeria, it is almost common knowledge that most people are free at the weekends. It is now a question of where you are going to hang out with them. So, there are a lot of huge cultural differences between the UK and Nigeria.
How do British people generally perceive Nigerians, and how does this affect relationships between the two communities?
I think the British people have observed that Nigerians are resilient and hardworking. They recognise that Nigerians excel in education, frequently achieving First Class honours. In their healthcare sector, many doctors, nurses, and care assistants are Nigerians, showcasing their brilliance. Therefore, British people appreciate having Nigerians in their workforce because they value the rewards of hard work. However, some British people perceive Nigerians as competitors for jobs, given their reputation for diligence and determination.
How does the British government’s approach to assisting its people set an example that the Nigerian government could learn from?
The British government provides a plethora of networks for grants, funding, support, and advice for its people. Here in the UK, we have something called the Citizens Advice Bureau. You can walk in there and receive free legal advice. There are numerous places you can visit, like local libraries, where you’ll find leaflets to assist with various issues. Whether you’re dealing with landlord disputes, financial struggles, or contemplating suicide, there are resources available to guide you toward better decisions. The British government has considered every possible scenario its citizens might face and has established hubs where people can seek help, all provided free of charge. While the British community can be isolating for foreigners, information is readily accessible everywhere. It’s up to individuals to tap into these resources, including funding, grants, and benefits, by conducting their research and completing applications independently. Rather than waiting for others to assist, individuals are encouraged to be proactive in seeking support. I believe this proactive approach, with readily available help and information centres, is something I would like to see implemented by the Nigerian government to support its citizens effectively.
Does the Japa syndrome ever bother you?
It concerns everyone, including the British government and immigration officers, because it has pros and cons. Many people have been caught in the whirlwind of paying high fees to come to the UK, and these fees are constantly changing. Initially, it was £15,000, but now they’ve raised it to £23,000, and I think the Prime Minister recently increased it again. It’s not easy money; even £15,000 is a significant amount.
The Japa syndrome has been beneficial in terms of many Nigerians coming to the UK to study and improve their lives. However, policy changes have also adversely affected those who left Nigeria with plans for a better life. They sold property in Nigeria, hoping to study in the UK and eventually return to Nigeria. But with constant changes in educational landscapes and fees, their goals and plans are disrupted, making it difficult for them to leave the UK and even harder to consider staying.
These changes affect everyone: Nigerians who stay, those who can return, and those who might have planned to transition to other countries, as these endeavours require financial stability.
How do you emotionally respond to both positive and negative news reports concerning Nigeria?
When I hear positive reports, it makes me excited to know that my country is improving. And when I hear negative reports, of course, I feel sad. Every Independence Day reminds me of what I want Nigeria to become versus its current state.
What are your thoughts on the policies implemented by the former UK Prime Minister?
He did the best he could during his time, and I can only hope that the new Prime Minister offers more favourable policies for immigrants or those in the diaspora. That’s what I can say about that. Nigerians and other foreigners hope for the best, and we hope to have good representation in Parliament to express our concerns.
Do British customers frequent your kitchen?
Ninety-five per cent of my customers are British which tells me that our food is going far and wide.
How has your family supported you, and do you have any investments in Nigeria?
I currently invest in Nigeria because I believe it will be better and greater. The last time I was in Nigeria, the airport was lovely and amazing. Not a lot of people were asking for tips. They let you travel in peace. The air-conditioning and the baggage trolley were working and Nigeria is becoming great. My family has helped me so far. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of those things without the support of my family.
https://punchng.com/surviving-in-uk-tough-i-struggled-to-pay-school-fees-nigerian-woman/
What inspired your decision to leave Nigeria at such a young age?
I left Nigeria for the United Kingdom to study when I was 15. I graduated from secondary school in Nigeria at the age of 14. I came to the United Kingdom hoping to get admission to a university. However, I was told that at age 15, I couldn’t gain admission to a university in the UK. So, I needed to go back to secondary school. It was a disappointment for me that I couldn’t start university, and as such, I had to go back to Year 11, which is the same as SSS3 in Nigeria. That was my initial frustration, as I had to study again everything I had already learnt in Nigeria. I thought that was the end, but after finishing SSS3, I was told I would have to pass my A Levels for two years before proceeding to university. This meant I spent three years studying similar subjects to those I studied in Nigeria.
Consequently, the people I graduated with from secondary school would be finishing university while I was in Year 1. That was my initial frustration and the reason for my delay. I got admission to London Metropolitan University to study Law and International Relations. In the middle of that, I moved to Luton to study the same Law, and I graduated from Bedfordshire University.
Source: punchng.com
https://punchng.com/surviving-in-uk-tough-i-struggled-to-pay-school-fees-nigerian-woman/
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