Some Western commentators and politicians speak negatively of Africans and Asians migrating for “greener pastures” and I’ve met this view myself from Europeans I have met. It is hard to face such stereotypes and lack of investigation of the complex reasons for migration. In my case, I came to the UK to learn best practices in journalism, media, and communication in a conducive environment. As a lecturer in mass communication at a university in North Central Nigeria, I felt that studying for a Ph.D. in the UK would position me as a global scholar and journalist. However, there was also another reason why I wanted to go.
I watched how my city in Nigeria was slipping into sectarian and religious crises which included farmer-herder clashes. A nearby town was witnessing increasing cases of abductions and criminality. When I arrived in Scotland in late 2022, I felt safe here. While my own journey brought me some respite, I often think of the safety of my colleagues, students, parishioners, and family members back in Nigeria. Some migrants move to pursue a career, to study, or for business purposes. But many others, across Africa, travel abroad to flee imprisonment, torture, and other human rights abuses from brutal regimes. Among these are tales of dozens of young migrants who meet their untimely deaths while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
The violence, poverty, and illiteracy in some underdeveloped countries make the developed world irresistible destinations for migrants. The legacy of the Western world’s colonial history and ongoing impact mean that unless the G-8 nations assist both underdeveloped and developing countries, forced migration will remain an open wound for too many. Context The Migrant Voice Glasgow Network Coordinator who also doubles as the coordinator of “Putting ourselves in the picture” indicated that the cleric was invited “to read the story that he wrote for our upcoming zine” at “an exhibition of our zines and a storytelling event as part of UNESCO RILA Spring” event in May.
According to her, “We are looking for contributions to our upcoming zine about human rights for migrants – something more personal – on migrant experiences in Scotland or the UK, but it can link to one’s experience in the home country, such as explaining why some people are forced to flee their countries where their human rights are abused.” In a statement, Antoniak disclosed that “since late 2022, Migrant Voice has been publishing monthly zines showcasing migrants’ heritage, experiences, and contributions to Scotland.” The event featured a meeting of migrants “those who have been featured in the series, and listen as they read their stories and poems about belonging and being othered, struggle and perseverance, traditions they cherish, their hopes for the future, and pride of who they are.”
Readings at the event of the organisation which has, as motto, followed group reflections and a short creative writing session just as participants were tasked to “write a mini story or a poem centred around one of the suggested topics to be featured in the upcoming zines” the organisers stated. Fr. Dyikuk, a priest of Bauchi Diocese northeastern Nigeria, epicentre of the intractable Boko Haram insurgency is a second-year student at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK and an a volunteer/ambassador for Migrant Voices. The survivor of Boko Haram attack and journalist’s research focuses on outsmarting the insurgents in the deployment of media resources as tools for mass destruction.
Being presentation by Rev. Fr. Justine John Dyikuk, Ph.D Researcher, University of Strathclyde and Ambassdor, Migrant Voices at Migrant Voices/UNESCO RILA Spring Event held on Monday, May 20, 2024at University of Glasgow, Scotland.
