The 3rd edition of my Nigeria in 2016 features Kevin Barry aka Kayode Oyinbo. Enjoy!
My Nigeria showcases friends of Nigeria who have either been to the country or have an interest in Nigeria. It is an avenue for them to tell the world their thoughts about Nigeria and her people.
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CTN: Please introduce yourself to our readers
Kevin Barry aka-Kayode Oyinbo:
My name is Kevin Barry. I am sometimes referred to as Kayode Oyinbo. I am originally from the state of Wisconsin in the United States, and have been coming to Nigeria for six years now. I first came as a student in an exchange program and studied at the University of Ibadan for one year. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in International Relations and African Studies. I have spent the last few years working in consulting, communications and business development all over the world, with a focus in the Middle East and Africa.
I’ve always had a place for Nigeria in my heart and can’t seem to stay away. I speak Yoruba fluently, and also have a great interest in bata and talking drum traditions. Aside from the beautiful array of languages and cultures in Nigeria, there is tremendous unrealized economic potential. Nigeria is blessed with an incredible population and wide array of natural resources, and the country is hungry for investment. Nigeria is a somewhat difficult place to understand for outsiders, as it is not simple and nothing is straightforward. An image problem (sometimes well deserved, other times not), also often serves as a hindrance to foreign investment and tourism flows. Now that I’ve invested a great deal of time and energy into understanding Nigeria better, I am able so see it for what it is which has opened many doors for me.
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CTN: What do you think about CometoNigeria magazine and the website?
Kevin Barry aka-Kayode Oyinbo:
Nigeria is a complicated, unique and special place. Aside from obvious characteristics on the surface, it is completely different in its culture, attitude and worldview from any western country I have ever visited. Therefore, it is easy and tempting to quickly formulate opinions about the country, but I believe it deserves a closer look that is as complex and multi-faceted as the country itself before one can truly understand the place for what it is.
Nigeria is first and foremost a land of paradoxes; It is a country that has everything and nothing at the same time; Everything is possible and impossible at the same time. It all depends on “how you play your cards,” who you know, and dare I say luck (or God’s Grace if you are truly Nigerian). Conventional logic or “common sense” as an American or European would define them do not exist in Nigeria-in fact, the polar opposite of these notions is what pragmatically takes place on the ground in Nigeria. Perhaps a better way to encapsulate this ideal is that Nigeria has its own unique forms of logic and procedure.
Nigeria’s people, as anywhere in the world, are products of their environment. There are all kinds of people in Nigeria-with over 250 ethnic groups and cultures, it is hard to truly answer the question “what do I think of her people.” Just like any former colony, there is a constant antagonistic dance between traditional culture and contemporary culture which has been heavily influenced by the British, as well as western pop culture. Overall, Nigerians are extremely welcoming, hospitable and jovial. I have always appreciated and been inspired by the widespread sense of humor that is prevalent within Nigerian culture, and this is my number one “coping mechanism” for dealing with stress or adversity in Nigeria. Nigerian’s are extremely entrepreneurial, resourceful, bold and quick on their feet. These qualities contribute to a very intense and robust society, and even sometimes contribute to a less than desirable image of Nigerians abroad.
I would absolutely encourage anyone and everyone to visit Nigeria-it is a powerful place and there is a lot one can learn from visiting. However, I would only recommend that one visit if they know and trust someone personally on the ground to help with logistics. Particularly, as a foreigner, Nigeria can be difficult to visit 100% on your own, and will most likely result in spending an exorbitant amount of money for what would be considered mediocrity by western standards. Nigeria is rife with headache-inducing situations, and these situations are often exacerbated when one appears to not know what is going on. Having someone who knows the lay of the land can help you mitigate and avoid many of these situations. As a business destination, Nigeria provides some very lucrative opportunities, but again, having the right trustworthy relationships is critical here.
CTN: Is Nigeria ready for tourism?
Kevin Barry aka-Kayode Oyinbo:
Yes and no. Nigeria already has vast and vibrant places that one can visit as a tourist, both natural and manmade. I think that Nigeria is ready for domestic and possibly regional tourism, but not quite ready for international tourism. There are currently quite a few places (some better known than others) that one can visit for leisure including Obudu Ranch, Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, Olumo Rock, Old Oyo National Park, Ilase Beach, La Campagne Tropicana, Lekki Conservation Centre, and Ayikunugba Waterfalls, to name a few. Some of these places are more developed than others, but all are very beautiful in their natural state. Many Nigerians are even surprised to discover that some of these places lie “right under their noses.”
I think there is a big cultural component that keeps many Nigerians from enjoying these beautiful treasures. Life in Nigeria is not always easy and it can take a lot out of you. Many Nigerians prefer to spend their leisure time sedentarily watching television or attending parties (funerals, weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies…let’s face it, the owanbeconcept heavily blurs the lines between these) instead of strapping on their hiking boots and getting out in nature. Furthermore, many Nigerians embody an image and wealth-driven complex that would favor travel to Dubai, South Africa, London or Malaysia to engage in more traditional consumerist activities rather than enjoying natural wonders that exist at home. Come To Nigeria Magazine is a great example of an initiative that is creating more awareness about Nigeria’s domestic tourism sites so that people may enjoy them more. Or, as the Yoruba proverb goes, “Naani nàànì naani ohun a ni là a naani” which basically means you should appreciate and not overlook assets or attributes that you possess.
Read more of Kevin Barry aka-Kayode Oyinbo’s interview inside (3rd) edition of CometoNigeria Magazine in 2016