Aworanti-Ekugo’s Lagos to London Provides Survival Tips for Nigerians Abroad

Mary Nnah

Inspired by happenings today where young Nigerians consistently leave the country to seek greener pastures abroad, Lola Aworanti-Ekugo in her fictional novel, “Lagos to London” advised Nigerian on how to live their lives abroad so as to fulfill their dreams and at the same time, make their country proud.

“I thought there was an important story to tell based on my background about understanding the cultural exchange between countries in African and other European countries – understanding and finding that balance between living in your country and also being a foreigner”, she said on why she wrote the book.

Speaking further, Aworanti-Ekugo said her book gives a view into life abroad, so that people can decide where they want to go and if they go, whether they want to stay or come back. To summarise the book, she said, “The book is like going abroad, without leaving your seat.

“I thought it was important to promote good value and allow people to sort of discover themselves and find their own path and place in the world.”

She hopes that her book will inspire people who are trying to find that path whether in Nigeria or abroad.

For Aworanti-Ekugo, ‘Lagos to London’ is a book that inspires following one’s dream, finding one’s own path and being an ambassador for Nigeria wherever one finds oneself in the world.

“We are good people, brilliant people and amazing people who can have a good impression whether it’s abroad or whether it is here in our own country as well”, she noted.

On how long it took to write the book, she said, “It took a good number of years. People think it’s one year but it was a bit longer. I think it as about three years to write the book because I felt like there was a lot say and it required time as well, so it took a while, but I am really happy that it’s finally out to the world and I think it is going to make a good impact in schools at all levels.”

The author, who initially could not find her bearings on what she actually wanted to be, eventually became a Digital Innovation Specialist.

She had always loved technology but it took her a longer time to find out that.

“I love technology – solving problems and I realised that I don’t have to be one person, I can be many things and I think we can all be many things as we are all talented. You don’t have to restrict yourself.

“I am a digital innovation executive with up to 15 years experience in the industry but I also love to write and I am also solving a problem of the youths today even through writing”, she said.

Although she confessed that a little bit of her life is portrayed in “Lagos to London”, she added however that the book is a mixture of so many people’s stories as she wanted it to be very relatable and for people to be able to see themselves in it or see someone that they know.

“In the book there are stories about people who lost their way in the beginning but eventually found themselves; so, it is a book about me but I think there is a bit of everybody in the book.”

She therefore encouraged every student to read the book as it is actually about finding oneself and realising that he/she is of her own race.

“Nobody can run it for you. Everybody is uniquely scaled with different talents and it is up to you to find it and make your mark in this world.”

She specifically advised young people, especially to be true to themselves and not fall under peer pressure to do things they were not supposed to do, adding that, “Hard work and good values actually pay off in the end” and that though the journey may seem long, it’s actually worth it in the end.

And for those going abroad, she reminded them that they were ambassadors of their country, adding, “the streets of abroad are not paved with gold, you still need to be a good person; you still need to work hard, find yourself and find your place”.