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RHA, Vol. 10, Núm. 10 (2012), 63-74 ISSN 1697-3305 THE NIGERIAN DIASPORA: A STUDY ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION Paul Obiyo Mbanaso Njemanze* Recibido: 21 Enero 2012 / Revisado: 15 Febrero 2012 / Aceptado: 3 Marzo 2012 INTRODUCTION explain why people move and Lee, (1966) n an academic exercise of this nature, it is incum- later focused on the characteristics of the Ibent upon the writer to commence with the potential migrants’ origins and destinations. erection of a theoretical framework. So, we shall Short (1978) prompted the development of a first and foremost, look at the various International more contextualised and micro influenced migration theories. Thereafter, we shall analyze the traditional research. However, White (1980) emigration phenomenon. In this context, we shall recognised a philosophical dichotomy in bring to the fore the push factors which brought in migration research between micro and macro their wake the exodus. Next, we shall take more approaches. These approaches produced the than a casual look at Immigration. In this realm, theory of multilevel modelling Cadwallader we shall discuss the pull factors, and the Nigerian (1989), and Massey (1990). Halfacree and physical and cultural presence abroad. Finally, we Boyle (1992) developed the theory of assimi- will analyze the Diaspora-Homeland Relations. lation to explain what happens to the migrants in their new environments. Pre - sently, Humanistic methodologies are used in 1. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK studies that consider migrants as decision makers Thomas-Hope (1999), Riccio, B A review of literature shows enormous work 1 done on migration studies. Commenting on this, (2002) and Nadje, A (2002)”. Julius Komolafe contends that: It is instructive to note that International “For the past several decades, migration migration theory has been divided into three major research has produced an impressive collec- types: the macro, meso, and micro. “Macro theo- tion of studies that approach migration from ries stress the structural intent circumstances that different perspectives, focusing on different perform ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors for migration”. In methods of analysis and developing theoreti- respect to Meso theories, it is worthy to note that, cal models. they “reject the macro focus on push and pull fac- These include the first generation of migra- tors, as an alternative positioning migration stream tion research which was based on macro inside a combined system of relations between empirical scale studies. Such studies searched states”. The two important aspects of meso theories for the laws of migration. are systems and networks. “It is assumed that E. G. Ravenstein, (1885) Herberle, (1938) migration will take place within migration system, later formulated a “pull-push” hypothesis to for example, among economically, politically and * University of Lagos (Nigeria). E-mail: [email protected]. 1 Julius Komolafe, “Searching for Fortune: The Geographical Process of Nigerian Migration to Dublin, Ireland”, [http://www.africamigration.com/archive_01/j_komolafe_searching.htm”] accessed on 02/03/2010. 63 RHA, Vol. 10, Núm. 10 (2012), 63-74 Paul Obiyo Mbanaso Njemanze culturally related countries” and networks present which welcome change for the sake of change. “a position of individual and collective subjects, for For some individuals there must be com- example, currently existing and possible future pelling reasons for migration, while for others migrants, their relatives, businesses, religion, and little provocation or promise suffices”.3 social groups they belong”. And “micro theories It is instructive to add that not all persons stress out the aspects (a variety of expenses and who migrated reached that decision themselves. profits of migration) that are affecting personal Children were usually carried along by their pa - choices to migrate”. Micro level explains “concrete, rents willy-nilly and wives accompanied their hus- small-scale, and narrow level of reality, such as face- bands though it tore them away from environ- to-face interaction in small groups within short ments they loved.4 time”.2 From all indications, it is pertinent to state Migration usually encompasses more than the that the holistic approach is the most plausible factors associated with the areas of origin and des- modality in the analysis of international migration. tination. This is true whether of migration as a per- This is because it views historical phenomena as manent or semi-permanent change of residence. dimensions of a spectrum. Between the areas of origin and destination are intervening obstacles and personal factors which exert a lot of influence upon the individual 2. EMIGRATION migrant. As Everett S. Lee explains: The movement of Nigerian peoples outside “The balance in favour of the move must be the country has been partly a product of develop- enough to overcome the natural inertia which ments within environmental sphere, economy, po - always exists. Furthermore, between every two litics and social realm. It is important to note that points there stands a set of intervening obsta- the genesis of the Nigerian Diaspora pre-dated the cles which may be slight in some instances 1914 amalgamation of the protectorates of and insurmountable in others. The most stu - Northern and Southern Nigeria. This is because died of these obstacles is distance, which, millions of people were forcefully moved out of the while omnipresent, is by no means the most territory that later became known as Nigeria important…. Personal sensitivities, intelli- through the instrumentality of the Trans-Atlantic gence, and awareness of conditions elsewhere Slave Trade. Our interest however is on the move- which enter into the evaluation of the situa- ment of peoples of Nigeria during colonial and tion at destination depends upon personal post-colonial periods. Thus, we shall look at devel- contacts or upon sources of information opments that constituted into the “push factors” which are not universally available. In addi- and engendered emigration. tion, there are personalities which are resistant In the realm of the environment, it is remar - to change – change of residence as well as kable to note that the pre-colonial period was other changes – and there are personalities “marked by balance in ecosystems and harmonious 2 Reasons for Nigerian people migration to Europe, group 14: Gaisva Radziute Obialo, Rasa Museckaite, 4th semester in International Social Science Basic Studies, House 21.1, Roskilde University, 2008, [http://digg.ruc.dk/bit- stream/1800/3189/1/Reasons%20for%20Nigerian%20people%20migration%20toEurope.pdf] accessed on 02/03/2010. See also – Global Migration Perspectives, No.50 October 2005, International migration and livelihoods in southern Nigeria, Chinedum Nwajiuba, Imo State University, Nigeria, Global Commission on Migration, 1, Rue Richard Wagner, CH: 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, [http://www.gcim.org/mm/File/GMP%2050.pdf] accessed on 02/03/2010. 3 Everett S. Lee, “A Theory of Migration” in Migration, edited by J.A. Jackson, (London: Cambridge University Press, 1969), 285, 287. 4 Everett S. Lee, “A Theory of Migration”, p.233. For further discussion on migratory behaviour, see Clifford Jansen, “Some Sociological Aspects of Migration” in J.A. Jansen (ed.), Migration, 60-65; R.C. Taylor, “Migration and Motivation: A Study of Determinants and Types” in J.A. Jackson (ed.) Migration, 99-101; E.G. Ravenstein, “The Laws of Migration” in Journal of Royal Statistical Society, LII (1889); William H. McNeill and Ruth S. Adams (eds.) Human Migration: Patterns and Policies, (Bloomington and London: Indiana University Press, 1978), 1-401; Ian Bowen, Population, (London: James Nisbet & Co. Ltd., 1954), 167-191; and W. Petersen, “A General Typology of Migration” in Clifford J. Jansen (ed.) Readings in the Sociology of Migration, (Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1970), 49-69. 64 The Nigerian Diaspora: a study on international migration DOSSIER bio-diversity”. “The way resources were allocated “native” to a “non-native” of Nigeria. Similarly, the and used demonstrated man’s good grasp of his Land and Native Rights Proclamation No. 9 of capacity as well as an appreciation of the potentia - 1910 and amended by subsequent Acts clearly lities and limitations of his environment.”5 specified that all land in Northern Nigeria came Accordingly, and reasonably too, there was a under the jurisdiction and control of the govern- ment which reserved the right to grant title to land tenure system. This described how farmers 9 and others held or controlled land.6 Commenting occupation and use of land. on this, Herbert Macaulay observes that: The British refused to pay compensation to “In Nigeria, there is an established system of the local people for the land acquired. An example Native Land Tenure which is based upon the was the Ebe Forest Reserve which she considered would be “a dangerous and possibly expensive fundamental conception that land is an asset 10 God-given which is subject to the condition precedent.” She also tried as much as possible to avoid the use of the word “acquired” to refer to that a member of any community who is true 11 to his political and social obligations to that land alienated. It is pertinent to admit that du - community of which he is a unit, possesses an ring the colonial period, botanical gardens were indisputable right to share in the bounties of established and the Forestry Department did some the land, the ownership of which is vested in useful conservation work. The colonial govern-