As an adventurous person, I have always loved breaking the ice. And so it was some few months ago, I told some senior citizens like myself that I was preparing to return home for good. (I recently celebrated my 75th birthday). Many did not believe me and some thought there was something wrong with my thinking faculty. I studied here between 1969-1976, before returning to Nigeria to serve the INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND for 20 years (1976-1996). In 2008, my 3rd son who was the only one among our six children to be born here in 1975, invited me and my wife of 47 years back to the USA on immigrant visas. Because my wife was 10 years younger and has always been lucky with different employment, she progressed in her career path in the USA.

 

In 2009, an opportunity came my way to be hired as a Correctional Officer III by TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE in Tennessee colony, Texas, I jumped on the opportunity. I was on record the oldest staff to be hired as a Correctional Officer. Because of my age, the organization gave me a written undertaking that if I could tarry on the job for six consecutive years, my pension will never be less than $50,000 (Fifty Thousand dollars) annually. I was highly excited about such a firm and juicy retirement benefit. But alas, just after 13 months on the job, arthritis ailment pulled me out of the job. I was lucky to qualify for the state unemployment benefit that was paying me about $1,450 monthly for 17 consecutive months. Having lost the biggest job I ever held, my mind was set to return home where my meager pensions were trickling. In September this year, I took the plunge and arrived back into the warm hands of family and friends who had missed me for almost 6 donkey years.

 

SETTLING DOWN IN NAIJA

 

Because I had all along been following the daily happenings in the country via phone chats and on-line news, etc, there was nothing strange to me when our flight landed at the Murtala Mohammed International  airport. Where you stay in Nigeria, defines your perception of the country. In my own case, I was lucky to have  a daughter married to in-laws with some average means, and so life just seemed I was still in the USA or even better. My daughter is lucky to afford two nannies, a driver and a gateman, courtesy of the well-grounded father-in-law. based on the scenario stated, NEPA problems did not bother me much. The only nagging issue I encounter is getting hooked to the internet to do my write-ups as writing has become a very important aspect of my life.

 

My advice to returnees like myself is to exercise patience in dealing with NAIJA’S RED TAPISM. I had one of those run” arrounds’ while trying to open a savings account with one or two banks very close to where I live. I hate the idea of every one knowing that you are going to the banks, and so I chose to have my money in nearby banks. The issue of NEPA bills as part of what one has to produce did not bother me.

So far, I am elated being among people who value me and in each public place, you see people offering their seats to me. This idea made me very proud.

 

Chief Ugonnia Chukwuelue

Retired Area Manager Industrial Training Fund  (1976-1996)