By Petrus Obi
A Nigerian who escaped from his country in search of greener pastures has shared his experience with The People’s Embassy.
Frank, (not his real name) arrived at the United in the wake of the mass exodus that seemed to have climaxed in 2023 before the changes in rules which appear to have affected the number of Nigerians seeking to migrate to the United Kingdom.
Having borrowed so much to facilitate migration with his family, Frank, on arrival was able to secure a one room apartment where he settled with the family.
“It’s an experience I will never forget. We arrived in Scotland in October 2023 through the Care Visa. I was the dependent, but I had no work.
The Care firm that gave us COS had no shift for my wife. She was asked to give them a while to put things in order.
Things were tightening up; the money we had was running out, and we had to eat and pay our bills.
Through some contacts, I was directed to a neighbouring city where I could easily get work to pay bills and at least get started in this land.
Thus I found myself in this new location (name withheld) and fortunately I was employed by an Agency. Even though the shifts were irregular, I was consoled that I would soon earn my first Pounds Sterling.
It was a weekly pay, so I needed about two weeks for my first pay. But, there was a major problem; where to lay my head at night.
I didn’t have money for either a hotel, or rent another apartment, having rented one in Scotland, so I took what I thought was the best decision at that point in time – to sleep at the bus station.
They were the most horrible days of my life. It was dead cold. Sometimes I had to wait for the last passengers to leave before I made my bed.
It’s an experience I wouldn’t wish my enemy.
I had to sleep at the station during the week and then return to Scotland at weekends to see my family.
After a while, however, I started meeting blacks, especially Nigerians. A good Samaritan took me in after hearing my story.
But I thank God that things are looking up and we are settling down.
It was a very tough beginning but today I am happy. And I thank God I made the decision to Japa.
Reach us on petrusobi@gmail.com, tatan4us@yahoo.co.uk
+234 8035494795 (WhatsApp) +44 7884908540
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