Africa Journal Day 12

Wednesday, May 4, 2005
Day 12
Jos Airport Departure Lounge

Today is a travel day—Jos to Lagos this morning, and Lagos to Douala, Cameroon this evening. My nephew Bert is to meet us this evening at the airport, stay overnight in Douala and drive to Yaounde tomorrow. Cathy and I visited Cameroon in the early 80’s with the Kooiman’s before Andrew was born, two solid days driving by car, for ten days of hanging out on the beach. We have pleasant memories of that trip, except the long, dusty, bumpy drive. But let’s wrap up our impressions of Nigeria first.
Yesterday started with a visit to Evangel Hospital, a mission hospital of SIM (formerly Sudan Interior Mission, now Serving in Missions). There is still a considerable expatriate presence and I was able to interview a physiotherapist and a physician for my research. Findings were quite similar as in Mkar: very little depression, some low back pain (probably increasing), complete absence of neck and shoulder pain and no recognizable Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Anyone who has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) type symptoms tests positive for HIV.
After the Evangel tour and interviews, Andrew and I went to Shere Hills, a volcanic mountain area where we hiked and climbed. I remember going out there before; we have a picture of a time we took out mothers out there for a picnic with other missionaries.
The afternoon was quiet, and we spent the evening with Chris Roos, a missionary nurse who has spent her entire career in Nigeria, much of it Mkar during out time there. She is now stationed in Jos and her present passion is HIV/AIDS prevention, having founded a ministry called Beacon of Hope to challenge the Church to teach HIV/AIDS prevention. She showed us her office, followed by supper at the Cedar Tree.
Let me summarize my impressions. The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) recently released a report that placed Nigeria high in three categories:

1. Religious (# 1)
2. Happiness (#1)
3. Corruption (#3) – used to be #1, so improvement

I would concur with the BBC report; spirituality is a high priority here and people express their faith openly, and even on secular radio there are constant references to things spiritual. The Church is growing rapidly, with Pentecostal churches showing the fastest growth. Chris also said that these churches are most effective in HIV/AIDS prevention. Islam of course also has a major presence in Northern Nigeria.
The BBC’s finding that Nigerians are the happiest in the world does surprise me somewhat, and I wonder what tool they used for their survey. Certainly the paucity of depression might explain it. Some earlier studies I have seen placed Nigeria quite low on the happiness scale.
My own findings revealed more low back pain than I remember from before, but still less incidence than in Canada, although when you consider how much back work they do, you would expect more degenerative disease. Neither I, nor the people I interviewed, see any post trauma neck pain, what we call WAD (Whiplash Associated Disorder) at home. As mentioned before, depression and suicide are extremely rare. In Tivland homosexuality is unknown, incest is rare, as is the physical abuse of children. Children respect their parents and authority. I saw no cigarette use (except one Lebanese woman in an Internet Café). People do use alcohol and I cannot say how much alcoholism there is. I saw no teenage rebellion.
People are industrious, trying to scratch out a meagre income in anyway they can; everybody is trying to sell produce or services, so there are vendors along every street and at every intersection. Although people all report hard times, I saw no starvation or malnutrition.
So on the positive side, here is a culture that is resilient and happy despite very low average income. The strength of their relationships, secure maternal infant bonding, and strong spiritual beliefs surely contribute to this.
The major challenges Nigeria faces are a high birthrate, urbanization and the replacement of farmland. The HIV/AIDS epidemic will be major load for the health system, and sexual promiscuity and polygamy both contribute to its spread. There are not the numbers of AIDS orphans here that I think we will see in Malawi, but that may only be a matter of time. Corruption and exploitation of the poor will also need to be addressed. And someone badly needs to start a waste management operation.
I am thankful for my time here. We in the West can learn from African culture, and this has spurred my passion to teach the importance of relationships, healthy spirituality, and the importance of a solid nuclear family where children are raised with unconditional love.
And we are thankful to those who have lovingly hosted us. Hospitality is a way of life in Africa.