A representative of German Academic Exchange Service and lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Jacob Maché, tells BAYO AKINLOYE about the things he loves about Nigeria
Why did you come to Nigeria?
That is a long story. I come from a European country that is responsible for a lot of crimes committed in African countries. My main motivation of coming to Africa – I know many people (from Europe) go to Asia, Latin America – is to go to a place many people from my cultural background do not want to go. I am also in the country to demonstrate that the culture of Nigeria which has been disparaged in the estimation of Europe is not truly what the foreign media portray it to be. I am here to create such awareness.
Which other African country have been to?
I was in Cameroon for six weeks before I came to Nigeria.
Before you came to Nigeria, what was your impression about the country?
Usually before one visits a country, one checks what the media is saying about such a country. I was particularly attracted to Nigeria because of Ile-Ife, which is considered as the base of Yoruba people all over the world.
For how long have you lived in Nigeria?
I have lived in Nigeria for more than three years.
What was the first food you ate in the country?
I arrived in the country in the evening and I was looking forward to eating Nigerian food. While in Cameroon, I ate a lot of Cameroonian food. The first Nigerian food I ate was a Yoruba delicacy: I ate amala and ila with smoked fish (okra soup). In Ife, there is a woman whose meals are perhaps the cheapest among the canteens operating in the campus. But her food is the best. I must confess that other canteens I have been to do not know how to cook well – the quality of her food is good.
What Nigerian food is your favourite?
They are many. I am mainly exposed to food cooked by the Yoruba; I usually eat fufu and ewedu soup.
What about your favourite local drink?
Emu (palmwine) is my favourite local drink.
Apart from being to Lagos and Osun states which other places have you visited in the country?
I have been to Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Enugu, Kaduna, Edo, and Kwara states. I have been to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja too.
What culture shock have you experienced?
I think in Lagos particularly, people in general do not bother about how other people feel. My reference is to how commercial motorcycle riders also called okada drive recklessly and against traffic rules. Seeing them on Lagos streets is like witnessing anarchy. The fear of someone getting knocked down by these motorcycle riders is always on my mind. I am also awed by the level of distrust among some Nigerians. In my opinion, it makes it easy for an outsider to easily deceive them. To control people, all you have to do is to create distrust among them.
What Nigerian languages do you speak?
I speak Yoruba. But it is quite difficult for me to learn and speak other Nigerian languages because I stay in Yoruba communities most of the time. Even though I speak Yoruba, I do not speak the language as fluently as I would want to.
Can you say ‘good morning’ in Yoruba?
Yes, I can. E kaaro.
Do you have a Yoruba name?
I have Yoruba names. You can call me Olosun, Osungbamila, and Akanni.
Where and how do you relax?
Obafemi Awolowo University has a huge campus and it can take a long trek to cover the ground. Usually, after my work, I would go home to sleep. But be that as it may, I think I enjoy life more in Lagos. In Lagos, I am learning to live independently of anybody. Prior to this time, to a large extent, I had to depend on other people to get around. I used to be a prisoner of my office. But now I can go out on my own using public transportation.
Have you ridden in Keke Marwa (tricycle) or danfo (commercial bus) before?
I have used all kinds of transportation modes in Nigeria to the extent that I can tell you how much it will cost you to take a bus from one area to the other. I know how much bus conductors usually charge as bus fares.
Can you tell me how much it costs to take a bus from the Island to Yaba?
I can guess it will cost about N200.
How do people react when they people gaze at you?
I do not know. You will have to ask those people. But any time that I am wearing aso oke, people are usually thrilled and some of them usually ask if they can take a photograph with me.
Do you have a favourite Nigerian artiste?
I have met a couple of Nigerian artists; a name that readily comes to mind is Segun Adefila of Crown Troupe of Africa. He is a performing artiste. Currently, I am working with some of his dancers on a project. I am also getting training in dancing and drama. I must admit it is difficult not to like Fela (Kuti, the Afrobeat legend). I equally appreciate Prof. Wole Soyinka.
What Nigerian book are you reading or have you read?
I have read a couple of Nigerian books. I have read Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie’s ‘Half of a yellow sun,’ Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and two other books. I have more books piling on my table that I have not read.
What do you do in Nigeria?
I work for a German academic exchange service. It is an organisation set up to connect German academics with foreign academics. For example, it links German scholars with Nigerian scholars in any higher institution. I am like an ambassador that provides necessary information about German education to anyone who is interested in scholastic activities. Similarly, if any information is needed about education in Nigeria I am the go-to person. I also have another job: I am a lecturer at OAU.
I am in the Department of Foreign Languages. I teach German Literature and German Linguistics at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
Do you miss home?
I have been travelling for some years. Anywhere I am is home to me.
How long do you see yourself living in Nigeria?
It is difficult to say. One thing I can say is that when one stays in a place for some time it is easier to live one’s life there and difficult to leave the place later for one reason or the other. I wish to stay long in Nigeria because I have known more people and have been involved in some productive collaboration with Nigerians. I will like to work more with these people. But that is my own feeling. I am not the one to decide how long I will stay in the country. The organisation that I am representing in the country will decide how long I will stay in Nigeria. I know they will like me to stay here for as long as possible.
What will you miss most about Nigeria?
It is difficult to say; it will be the people.
What similarity do you see between Nigerians and Germans?
They are all human beings.
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