On that KLM flight to London, I did not envisage the things I would have to endure in order to get to my fortune. The challenges I have faced so far in the U.K ranged from questions about identity and race. For the first time, I realised how the color of my skin and the mention of my Nigerian heritage affected how I was perceived by non-Nigerians, as well as my survival as a student, and in the work place and how I perceived life outside of Nigeria. My sojourn to the UK was to take me through a straight, six-year period of studying, from A/S Levels to Master's degree level, in the face of grave adversity, ranging from sudden unemployment and homelessness, institutionalized racism and even heartbreaks. I became the victim of a "clash of mentalities", but the lessons from my African roots proved useful for my survival in the West, and increasingly I realised how my lessons from the West could be beneficial for building a better homeland in Africa. My journey has taken me to unimaginable places, through the length and breadth of the UK, all over Europe, around the United States of America, to the UAE, and even as far as the conflict ridden Israel and Occupied Palestine, up to Jerusalem, and down to the Gaza Strip. In the end, regardless of where I have been, the things I have witnessed, and, after all said and done, one truth remained evident: That there is no place like home, and that the ball is in the court of my generation to make it a better place for the next generation, as we have come to represent the bridge between the old and the new world to which we aspire. For me, home has come to encompass the global village which has continued to expose how interconnected we have become. My trials, tribulations, and sojourns exposed me to my generation- a generation in need of redemption.
About the Author: Alexander Tetenta was born in Scotland, but grew up in Nigeria where his family originated. He holds a degree in Politics from London Metropolitan University, where he penned his first major thesis titled: Democracy and Democratization in Nigeria- The Way Forward. The knowledge he gleaned from his academic thesis and his unique personal experiences came together beautifully in his recently published novel so well narrated in every literal sense. For Alex, growing up and attending school in Nigeria were both rewarding and punishing. Alex attended an elite primary school where as a bright kid; he was awarded the privilege of skipping the last grade to head straight for his secondary school education. Although Alex's secondary school days were liberating, that period was marred with the struggles of a youngling grappling with the harsh realities of boarding school and the growing pains of having to cycle through six secondary schools within the span of about six years. After sitting for the University Entrance Exams in Nigeria, Tetenta came out with flying colors particularly in subjects of Government & Politics. Tetenta had his sights set on pursuing a degree in the Humanities and Social Sciences especially after reading some of his mother's notes on the topic, but the family had other prospects for him to become an engineer like his brother. In line with his family's expectation, Tetenta enrolled into a Pre-Science degree which was short-lived after a lengthy strike action. It was at this fateful juncture that Tetenta found the British High Commission, obtained his passport and left Nigeria. Since returning to the U.K, Tetenta has diligently studied and worked hard, travelled around the world, and acquired many interesting and insightful experiences worthy of writing about. He also holds a Masters Degree in International Law from the University of Glasgow.