White Farmers Move To Nigeria

In 2002, the head political figure in Zimbabwe, President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, led a movement that involved seizing lands from the white minority in the country. These actions almost seem predictable coming from Mugabe, who rose to prominence in his country as a leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union. The guerilla group took down the white dominated government of, then Rhodesia, in the Bush War in the 60s and 70s. Mugabe's new policy called for the forced removal of Zimbabweans of European descent and basically leading to their quasi exile. Forced in this context entails the use of weapons; such as, axes, crowbars, and farming tools; as well as beatings of the unfortunate white Zimbabweans. The large tracts of farmland that the archaic Rhodesian government reserved for whites is now in the control of the majority group, leaving many farmers out of business.

But the whites are not without hope. Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki has propositioned a number of the exiled farmers to come to Nigeria and help with their current agricultural nightmare. Nigeria is in the middle of a farming crisis that has led to skyrocketing prices of grains and a shortage in the food supply in some areas. Most of the problems can largely be blamed on unfavorable weather in recent years. Saraki's vision is for the farmers to come in and jumpstart the farming industry with their knowledge in the field. The governor believes that the white farmers will pass some of their agricultural secrets of to their Nigerian workers, thus benefiting Nigeria. Saraki also wants to bolster the interest in farming as a profession among Nigeria's youth. He sees welcoming the whites as a way for the country, and Africa in general, remain a viable source of output long past the oil reserves have run dry.

The whites, who just witnessed their former nation's first election from Nigerian soil, were at first reluctant to go to another country where they would be an extreme minority. For some, the will to remain in Africa made their decision for them. Many were surprised of the welcoming spirit that greeted them upon entering the country. Judy Hatty, who relocated in Shonga, in Kwara, had this to say, "We are so used to being the enemy of the state in Zimbabwe, so when I discovered people here are not anti-white, it was such a relief." Only time will tell if this mutually beneficial experiment will pay off.