Nigeria’s Situation is Redeemable – Dollin Holt
Could you introduce yourself to netizens?
I am Dollin Wilson Ovaroh Holt. I live in Luton town in England. I am originally from Warri in Nigeria. My father was British and my mother is Nigerian.
What’s your nationality?
I will describe my nationality as dual: British and Nigerian.
What was growing up like?
Growing up in what I will describe as the old world was beautiful. There was a sense of innocence and less chaos. I was practically raised by my grandparents who doted on me. They showered me with love and showed me how to be content, including a lot wisdom on navigating and finding my place in the world I have been born into; which was going to be through books. Thev also taught me the importance of love and appreciation and kindness in difficult times. And a lot more. So, my childhood was a learning curve
I’ve seen some your stories and other people like them. Did anyone teach you to write so well?
Hahaha! Thanks. Writing came to me naturally, but was significantly influenced by reading widely. I was so restless and wasn’t really inclined towards academics, but found some peace with literature. So, I wasnt taught to write. It came to me, and was significantly helped by reading.
Have you published any book?
No, not yet. But I contributed a chapter to a book on forced migrations and refugeehood. I am also in the process of getting my quotes, poems and short stories together, to be published.
You are familiar with the situation in Nigeria. What is wrong with Nigeria?
I am very conversant with events in Nigeria. In fact, I recently visited the country. Some kind of homecoming. It is my contention that things are horribly bad. I am naturally an optimist, but my optimism is somewhat frail about Nigeria. Not only is leadership its Achilles heel, (the major problem) but the people, the young demographic especially, have been socialised to think that making money at all cost is the way; and so, crime has been a terrifying consequence. An ever increasing poverty, inequality of opportunities, the economic meltdown, a rudderless government, insecurity and a host of other socioeconomic factors are, am afraid, causing many to lose hope in a once beautiful and magnificent country. But the situation is not irredeemable. There is now a growing awareness that things are so bad and they have to change. With a new leadership emerging, things might begin to change. But it will take some time.
Don’t you think the country needs brilliant people like you to fix it?
Hahaha…hahaha! There are people who are more brilliant and can be of immense help in reversing the trend, but the problem, and in fact, it is a curse, they are not given the opportunity to. There is a cabal that is intent on holding on to power like a birthright, and is not yielding. But things are going to change.
What do you feel about the Rwandan plan of the British government?
The Rwandan plan is baffling. I never would have thought that a British government would come up with an idea as inhumane as this. My worry is that the government is hell bent on pursuing it, despite the last moment intervention of the European Human Rights Commission to stop it. It is politisation of immigration meant for electoral gains.
What advice do you have for youths?
My advice for the youth is never to give up. There is hope. The youth should not abandon the country and go abroad to seek a better life which is often elusive. Nigeria is their true home. But most importantly, they should steer clear of violence and the curb the urgings to make money by crooked means; which often leads to death and the festering of crime and cruelty.
Tell us your happiest day, so far.
My happiest day so far was when I was called up to the platform to receive my first master’s degree as a mature student, in a graduation ceremony; and I have gone on to study more.
What about your most embarrassing moment?
Embarrassing moment was falling asleep in a train and finding myself at the last station with a book steadily held in my hands when the train driver woke me up with this look on his face. He couldn’t control his laughter.
