Sir, - I read with dismay the letters to your newspaper by Colm O Cuanachain, Richard O'Brien and Dorene Groocock in reaction to Mr E. E. Edobor's letter in which he clearly stated Nigeria's position vis a vis those individuals who falsely claimed to be Nigerians and political refugees.
Immigration is a common phenomenon worldwide. As a Nigerian living in Ireland since 1985, I have known many Irish people - some were my friends in college - who have left Ireland in search of economic and social fulfilment abroad. It is a known fact that grass does seem greener on the other side.
Nigeria is made up of over 100 million people of which, going by the law of averages, about 2 per cent (2 million people) at one time or another contemplate living life outside.
The Shell/Ogoni saga has opened up fresh loopholes. The refugee status encourages all sort of falsehood and pretences. These people can easily claim to have stowed away from Nigeria with no passport and identification papers. The majority of these people are not Nigerian citizens but people from other black African countries who have crossed over from Britain and other European countries to exploit the generous Irish system. The chance of instant accommodation, food and cash on their hand on arrival is a very tempting opportunity not to be missed by these desperadoes.
No country in the world is free from internal political agitation and conflict. Nigeria is no exception. I strongly support Mr Edobor's point that these people who are masquerading as Nigerians and political refugees are nothing but economic and social desperadoes. - Yours, etc.
Garville Avenue,
Dublin 6.