ABUJA – A U.S.-based Nigerian film maker and producer, Rahman Oladigbolu, on Wednesday advised youths on the need to look inwards rather than seeking greener pastures abroad.
Oladigbolu produced the film entitled “In America: The Story of the Soul Sisters’’, depicting the experience of Nigerian immigrants, which won the “Best Film by an African Abroad” at the 2011 African Movie Academy Award.
The filmmaker, who was in Abuja for the film premiere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the experiences of some migrants “is far from rosy and glossy as people back home think and expect’’.
“The film draws people’s attention to the fact that they should have more cogent reasons of going abroad while their loved ones should also minimise their level of expectation,” Oladibgolu said.
“The lure of life abroad has been confusing to many of us, and for many who are able to travel out, they painfully learn that life abroad does not always justify its promise.
“In the past, they were forcing us into slavery, but today we’re voluntarily selling ourselves into it.”
He said the film will serve as a voice that tells the African immigrant story and of reconciliation in the complex relationship between African immigrants and African-Americans.
It would be recalled that the film was officially screened at the Cannes Pan African Film Festival, France, and had featured also at many festivals across the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa, and it has won several awards.[eap_ad_2]
Oladigbolu said the film has been shown at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Hampton University in the U.S.
One of the viewers at the premiere, Omolara Ilupeju, a Bio-Chemistry student of University of Ilorin, Kwara, said Africans should believe in themselves.
“We should have the understanding that staying back in our continent to contribute to its development will be beneficial to us especially we the youth,’’ she said, adding “we can still realise our dreams here’’.
She commended the key character ‘Sade’, who realised that things were not working for her abroad and decided to return to Nigeria.
Also, Rosemary Ajuka, said the film “In America’’ brought forth many salient points, the people must carve a way for themselves in their own country and contribute to its development.
“The building of a nation is the duty of its citizens and running to other countries is not a solution. “Government must also put in place enabling environment for people to realise their potentials,” Ajuka said.
She also said that: “The hardships of the life of an illegal immigrant in the western world is a story that needs to be told more to discourage anyone from developing nations who wishes to embark on such.” (NAN)[eap_ad_3]