In 1985, a group of forty seven artistes led by late Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie formed the United Support of Artistes (USÀ) for Africa. The group sang a song that became a ‘numero uno’ in most countries of the world.
They sang the song basically for famine relief in Ethiopia and also to help people living in abject poverty in the United States of America. I am sure some people will be shocked that there is poverty in America.
Contrary to some people’s belief that money grows on trees in America, a lot of people are in penury in that country. Indeed, poverty has no boundaries.
However, poverty has levels. In the advanced countries, poor people could still live decently. This is because they are are given some social welfare allowances.
The reason most people migrate is to seek a better fortune. This could take the shape of moving from the neglected rural ares to the urban areas where there are more opportunities.
However, migration to the western nations used to be a preserve of African and Asian nations. We would live anywhere as long as it is ‘abroad’.
At first, it was for education. Then when despite the resources present in Nigeria, in particular, we refused to cater for our armies of the unemployed, they found it necessary to ‘check out’,
However, for the Europeans the chickens have probably come home to roost. The establishment of the European Union has shown that Oyinbos are not totally strong. They have a soft underbelly.
Citizens of less fortunate countries are now rushing into the more prosperous nations. Trust Europeans, they are generally being their brothers’ keepers.
My belief is that if we could have less misgovernance in the world, migration might not be a necessity. And a world devoid of wars and strife.
It is only then that we can happily sing, ‘We Are The World’.
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