The Face Behind Nigerian Heroes
I was featured on Nigerian Heroes last week. Being the curious person that I am, I also wanted to know more about this person who started the organization featuring and celebrating Nigerians from all works of life; Shedding a positive light on country that has received more that it’s fair share of negativity. Here’s my interview with Janine Udogu, founder of Nigerian Heroes.
You are the person behind Nigerian Heroes. Can you tell us more about you?
My name is Janine Udogu. I was born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland. My parents got divorced when I was still very young, yet they always remained friends. So instead of having only two parents, I ended up having four (my father and his new girlfriend as well as my mother and her second husband).
My stepfather comes from Morocco and I guess that is where I got a little “African Blood.” I had a very beautiful childhood growing up with one brother in a very safe environment. At the age of fifteen I travelled to New York as an exchange student and got the opportunity to study in a very exclusive private school for a year. Coming from a humble background that was a remarkable experience. On my return to Switzerland I finished my studies and started working. At the age of 17 I met my first husband, who was an Asylum seeker from Congo. We got married after I turned 18. But the marriage only lasted a few years. In 2008 I met my second husband and the father of my three children. He is originally from Anambra State Nigeria and he made me to love this country like my own.
My interests are of course my children. But I am in love with Nigerian culture. I am studying Igbo ever since I met my husband and I attend all the local meetings my husband goes to (Igbo Meeting, Anambra Meeting), using that as an opportunity to improve my Igbo skills and to learn more about the culture. I love to cook and yes, I do know how to cook Nigerian food as well. My favorites are Egusi and Okra soup, but I also love Ofe Aku and other local soups. Generally I would say that I am very interested in other cultures and languages. I speak German, French, Italian, English a little Igbo and a little Lingala (Congo). I love to travel and to read books and I love being a mother!
What made you want to start this initiative especially since you aren’t Nigerian?
I have to explain this looking a bit further back. Just like me, my husband had been married before. He even had a daughter with his first wife. So even though his family really liked me they insisted he married an Igbo woman this time. They wanted to make sure that his kids would grow up in Nigeria, learning about the culture and the heritage. Which is very important to them, especially since my husband is the first born of the family. So they found him a wife and arranged for everything. They even paid the “bride price” as it is normal in Igbo culture. When my husband (At that time still my boyfriend) told me about it, I was shocked. But I decided to stay with him, no matter what. I understood that this had nothing to do with the feelings he had for another woman, but with the pressure end expectation from his family. I think my husband was so surprised to hear that I agreed to this set up, that he decided he would not need the Igbo woman anymore. Instead he convinced his family and the elders that this “Oyibo” (white woman) could very well raise his children in their interest and that he would not need to marry another woman. So after we already knew each other for four years, we finally got the go ahead from his father to get married. And we wanted to do it the right way. So we prepared to get married in the Church of his village in Nigeria. Because one can get married many times in court, but in Church, you only get married once!
I had travelled to Nigeria so many times and I never had any bad experience. That’s where I realized that there was a big gap between the perception people have about Nigeria from the news and the way Nigeria really is. So I decided it was high time to start a project that would change people’s view of Nigeria. And what better way to do that than to show examples of how hard working, successful and positive Nigerians are. That is how Nigerian Heroes came to life
I was so excited about it that I wanted to share this day with my whole family and friends. It was only then that I realized that none of them was willing to travel to Nigeria with us. They told me they were too afraid of Boko Haram, kidnappers and all the other things one could read about in the news. I was very upset. I had travelled to Nigeria so many times and I never made any bad experience. That’s where I realized that there was a big gap between the perception people have about Nigeria from the news and the way Nigeria really is. So I decided it was high time to start a project that would change people’s view of Nigeria. And what better way to do that than to show examples of how hard working, successful and positive Nigerians are. That is how Nigerian Heroes came to life. But this project is not only meant for foreigners. It should also change the way Nigerians see themselves. Because never before have I experienced such prejudices and mistrust amongst people from one nation. Igbos, Yoruba’s and Hausa’s see themselves as individual groups in such a strong way, that up till today some voice out that Nigeria should be divided. Coming from Switzerland, where different “tribes” are, living together peacefully, I think that the best way to unite the people is through education. Teach them that we are all humans, we all have problems and in the end, we all want peace, love and happiness. I hope that portraying Nigerians from all corners of Nigeria will help change the way Nigerians see themselves and make them proud of their nation.
What is the criteria for being a Nigerian Hero?
Everybody can be a Nigerian Hero. Of course you have to be Nigerian. But other than that, there is no criteria. Everybody has an inspiring story to tell, you just have to make them talk about it.
Who and what inspired you on your path?
Well I could not mention anybody in particular. But I am inspired by people who believe in themselves and are willing to pursue their dreams no matter the difficulties they face.
What’s been the response to Nigerian Heroes?
The response has been wonderful. People really like the project and the idea behind it. But it has been hard getting people to talk about themselves. I hope that with more publicity, people will better understand the aim of the project and find it easier to open up and share their story.
What’s the next step for Nigerian Heroes?
My goal is to make NigerianHeroes a platform where anybody can “nominate” a Hero. As for now, I am myself actively getting in touch with Nigerians asking them to tell me their story. But I hope that in the near future people will get in touch with me instead, whenever they meet somebody that inspires them, so that the person can be portrayed and inspire even more people.
What haven’t you done yet that you would like to accomplish?
We are planning to move to Nigeria within the next five years so that our children can see Nigeria as their home and not just a tourist destination they travel to once a year. I am really excited about it and I can’t wait to start packing my bags!
Where can people connect with you on social media?
You can find NigerianHeroes on www.nigerianheroes.com, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nigerianheroesblog, on twitter@Nigerian_Heroes. Any nominations of NigerianHeroes can also be sent to me directly to nigerianheroes@outlook.com
So imagine my delightful surprise knowing how much Janine loves Nigeria, wants a positive image of the country and is finding a way to do it. We need more people like her. Thank you Janine. Wishing you more success with Nigerian Heroes. Keep walking your path to greatness.
