Eryca Fremantile is an African in diaspora, a Jamaican by birth who believes that Nigeria is her roots. An internationally respected motivational and empowerment speaker, who is a global ambassador for many international organisations, she is a genius whose story of survival is a lesson in impossibility made possible.In a brief encounter with Wale Ojo-lanre at the Royal Gardens Hotel, Kensington, London, Eryca, who is billed for a programme on Breast Without Spots in Nigeria, revealed her thought on many issues.Are you a Nigerian'Why the question'You have been so conspicuous in some of the events of Nigeria Carnival 2011. You were at the press conference at the house of commons, you were, in fact, one of those who came early and you are here again promptly'Ok. I am an African. Nigerian carnival is an African event and I believe I should be a witness of this great event meant to showcase one of the most advanced cultures in the world.But you have not answered my question Where are you from'If I tell you I am a Nigerian, can you make a guess'With your physique and features, you are probably from Akwa Ibom or Delta, a waffi lady'Ok. You see, that is where the confusion comes in. I am from Jamaica but what my instinct is telling me is that I am a Nigerian in bone and flesh. A lot of people I have met always assumed I am a Nigerian. I remember one of these days when I was jumping from one clinic to the other, that was when I had an accident I got to one clinic, the head dermatologist was a Nigerian and the white doctor said to him, 'Boss, your country lady needs attention!' And the boss came around, attended to me and inquired whether I was a Nigerian. This conception led me into a research, which was not farfetched, that 85 per cent of African'American have their roots in Nigeria, not to talk about a Jamaican.And what has been your feeling'You know the psychological import, the feeling of wanting to be what you are, the feeling of going back to the roots. The psychology of not having a sense of belonging ' a self initiated trauma.But have you been to Nigeria'Oh, yeah, a couple of times. And do you know what' Whenever I set my feet on Nigerian soil, I always have this feeling of bliss. This aura of absolute peace and protection would envelop me as if I escaped from a prison.Do you have very strong relationships with Nigerians'Of course, I have. Apart from being a columnist in This Day newspaper, I have met Mama Josephine Anenih, the former Minister for Women Affairs, an affectionate woman; my dearest sister, Her Excellency, Mrs Obioma Imoke, wife of the governor of Cross River State,who has been a sister in a million, and my dearest friend, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Ajoke Adefulire. At this carnival, I also met the current Minister for Women Affiars, Hajiya Zainab Maina. They have been wonderful people and recently, I met this great lady, Barrister Bianca Onoh'Ojukwu, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on the Diaspora, an awesomely intelligent lady who understands perfectly, her calling and mission. Barrister Bianca is very deep. She is endowed by her creator, combining all the virtues: brain, beauty and brand (BBB).How do you know this'It does not take you a year to be able to decipher a dullard from a smart person, provided that you too have a modicum of intelligence. I had a brief discussion with her and she raised the bar so high that I thank God for her life. We discussed the diasporas' challenges and expectations, and she opened up her strategy of approach and implementation. She did this so convincingly that if given the necessary support she will bring us back home.Who are the us'I mean Nigerians in the diaspora; people like me and many others who will be an asset to the country; distinguished and eminent Africans whose brains and intellectual properties are being used to develop some developed countries at the expense of their developing home states. Some are being wasted here while they can still be useful there.Do you mean you are contemplating coming home, leaving all this luxury, well organised social system, the fame, the money, the awe, the respect and glamour'Yea, one can acquire all these, but there is nothing better than total freedom. You would certainly not like a situation where you have all these and you still feel being naked; a situation when you always feel like a fish out of water; a situation where your inner most being tells you, 'hey! you are nothing here but a bloody visitor, a stranger of no value, a traveler of no permanent consequences! 'Won't you think'Are you saying if the environment is right and near perfect, you can relocate to Nigeria'Why not' that is the ultimate.You mean if you are offered a place to stay in Abuja or Lagos, you will jump at it'See, let get it straight once and for all. There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. It is one of the best places under the firmament where you can crystallise your idea into gold within 24 hours. I have been to Nigeria several times and I will be there in the next couple of days. Nigeria is a tourism investment haven, a virtual economic virgin land where half of the resources have not yet been tapped. On the security issue, Nigeria is not over challenged in terms of security. You cannot compare the crime rate in a state in the US to the whole of Nigeria. I am surprised whenever people talk about insecurity in Nigeria. It is over bloated. Yes, I am not a tart or a rat here, but that has not solved the problem of who I am and my ancestral origin.Yes, you said you will be in Nigeria soon. What for'Ok. I am coming to Nigeria on the invitation of Professor Ifeoma Okoye, who is championing the 'Breasts Without Spots' (BWS) gospel. The event will take place in Abuja on the cancer day . I am one of those who have been billed to deliver papers. You know cancer is evil and a shame unto womanhood.Why'You see cancer is deadly, a terminal ailment. However, even though terminal and deadly, it could be tamed. It is a preventable shame on womanhood and I am happy there are many organizations rising up against this virus that is wreaking havoc on womanhood. That is why I appreciate Professor Okoye who has deemed it fit to address the issues involved with this event. A lot will be exposed at the event about cancer.As a multi'disciplinary researcher, I don't think you should restrict yourself to cancer advocacy alone when you get to Nigeria.You see, I am invited by an organisation which has taken the pains to make arrangements for my stay in Nigeria. Unless I have other organisations inviting me for a talk or the other, then I can act. But luckily, this time around, Pastor Edwin Biayiebo, the Senior Pastor of House on the rock, The Word House, Enugu, Nigeria, has invited me for a brief talk in the House on the Rock, Enugu, and I am elatedWhy'This is because the church is living up to the expectations of God. The spiritual success of a man cannot be divorced from his earthly and physical wellbeing. Despite the fact that I have an engagement in Liverpool on that day, I had to talk to the Liverpool organisation to shift their own event to the first week of November. I have this uncanny passion for Africa. I have determined to serve more, the African interest than any sphere. Let us put our intellectual resources into use in Africa, nay Nigeria.So, after the Enugu engagement, will you return to the UK'I might, if there is no further engagement. But if another church or organisation gives me an invitation, I can consider it and stay till the end of October in preparation for the Liverpool engagement. I am around now to offer any service that will be beneficial to humanity.
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