Nigerians are very bright and ambitious people by nature, and with opportunities well channelled, a lot of change-makers have come out of the people.
However, the reverse is the case for Nigerians living in Finland. It is a statement of fact that Nigerians living in Finland have made Nigeria proud and have brought great publicity to the country through their academic achievements.
In recent times, the city of Vaasa, which used to be dull as a result of lack of activities, has been resuscitated by Africans, especially Nigerians, through the promotion of their cultural heritage which the Vaasa City Council has acknowledged and cherished.
On the religious point of view, Finns, as Finnish people are called, are not the religious type, as they do not go to church, except few who many have had encounters with African Christians. Interestingly, most of the Pentecostal churches in Vaasa are peopled by Nigerians who troop in their numbers on Sundays to attend church as a mark of reverence to God.
Remarkably, at the heart of Vaasa City Centre is the City Church which has the highest concentration of Nigerians as members. The church, which has been the first port of call for Nigerians coming to Vaasa, is like a family made up of Finns and Nigerians. There Nigerians are treated with respect and dignity, and the church has assisted many Nigerians to integrate into the Finnish system. In turn, Nigerians have been dedicated to the growth and development of the church in all ramifications.
To mark the end of the year, 2014, a Christmas party was organised by the Vaasa City Church for members and their friends. The party witnessed the highest turn-out of Nigerians, both non-members and their Finnish counterparts. To reflect the mood of the day, the church wore a new look so much that it would not have been difficult for even a blind man to notice that an important event was taking place.
As part of the programme of the activities, Finnish and Nigerian gospel songs were sang. More important was the quiz competition which was won by a group led by Evang. Matthew Okorie. It was a refreshing evening, as friendship, goodwill and meals of both cultures were shard in the spirit of love among the brethren.
In his remark, the City Church Presiding Pastor, Tom Lipkin, thanked guests for coming, especially Nigerians who despite the cold weather in the country still find time to celebrate with both their Finnish friends and their Nigerian brothers and sisters. He prayed for more cordial and mutual rapport between Finnish citizens and Nigerians living in Finland. He also prayed for a successful free and fair general election in Nigeria next month. The climax of the celebration was the sharing of Christmas gift to all guests.
Pastor Lipkin, in an interview, disclosed that Nigerians coming into the church added colour to the church and have showed a lot of seriousness and dedication in the things of God. He said Nigerians are very wonderful and hardworking people who are determined to succeed in whatever they are doing.
Corroborating the pastor, an English translator and a board member of the church, May-Gret Axell, noted that Nigerians are great, hardworking, serious people who would do anything to succeed.
Axell, who is also a member of the Vaasa Municipal Council, disclosed that her interactions with Nigerians have been wonderful, and they have not lived short of expectations, against the western media reports about Nigeria and Nigerians.
Her words: “I meet Nigerians every day. Aside that I am a member of the Vaasa City Municipal Council, I also am a teacher; I teach in the Vaasa Vocational Institute where many Nigerians are doing great academically. Nigerians are intelligent people determined to succeed in whatever they do. I love and cherish them so much, especially their kids.”
In a chat with TheNiche at the event, Evang. Okorie, who was the President, Nigerian Community in Vaasa, also thanked the City Church board members for their assistance and contributions towards the integration process of Nigerians into the Finnish system.
Reiterating Nigerians’ determination to continue to live peacefully with their host country, he called for synergy between Nigerian churches and the City Church in evangelising the two countries.
He disclosed that he was working on a kind of cooperation between his home church and the Vaasa City Church in the area of evangelism and exchange of evangelical visits between Nigeria and Finland.
Since the introduction of free tuition to higher education in Finland, many Nigerians have grabbed the opportunity to enhance their educational standing from undergraduate to graduate, even to the doctorate levels. For instance, in Vaasa that has over 20 institutions of higher learning, you find many Nigerians in each studying for one degree programme or another.
At the University of Vaasa, Nigerians who have graduated with honours are in hundreds, with hundreds still studying at various levels. Presently, there are Dr. Charles Osifo, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, Public Management, and over four doctorate candidates in various disciplines. The list of master’s students are countless.
At the University of Applied Science, many Nigerians are doing great in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Telecommunication Technology, as they have proved and used their God-given talents positively.
However, with the latest revolution in the health sector worldwide, most Nigerians have found their ways in most of the health institutions in Vaasa and neighbouring states. In Novia University, one of the leading nursing institutions in Vaasa, most Nigerians are excelling in their studies, with the hope of getting employment in the healthcare service delivery sector.
The mindset of an average Nigerian living in Finland is to make positive impact that will bring Nigeria and Nigerians honours, either while studying or after graduation. After graduation, many Nigerians have been opportuned to work in Finnish conglomerates like ABB, Wartsila, Itella Posti and various health service delivery institutions, making tremendous contributions to the economy of their host country through their professions.