March 25th, 2024
Traveling abroad for a more convenient lifestyle has become a common practice among middle- and high-income earners in Nigeria, but the practice, while good, could be leaving risky mental marks on aged parents whose children are overseas, writes BABATUNDE TITILOLA
As he dumped his fragile body on the couch in his large sitting room which now feels empty, Dr Olubunmi Sanyaolu sighed heavily with waves of worry spreading across his face.
It has been three days since the 77-year-old last spoke with his son, Bunmi, not because he did not want to, but because a child living 6,600 miles away and in different a time zone can be hard to reach sometimes. This is aside from the sky-high international call charges.
After several attempts to hear from the 27-year-old proved futile, the old man became restless. His mind wandered miles back and forth as though it was searching for a lost treasure.
He mumbled. The days have not been the same since his beloved son, named after him, left for London in September 2023.
“Watching Bunmi grow up is a source of joy for me,” he told Sunday PUNCH.
“He has older sisters but I gave him my name because he is my first son. He was running my business after he completed his national youth service but I wanted him to see the other side of the world.
“He did not mount pressure on me to let him leave. When he was younger, he did not have any plans to travel out.
“But lately, he found himself preparing for it. Although he has the resources to stay here in Nigeria, it had been boring, so I felt like I should let him go,” he said.
Sanyaolu told our correspondent that he felt Bunmi would do better abroad despite the consequent feeling of missing his first son.
“The economy is not that good. Kids like him have ideas, so when they are done with school and get out there, they get disappointed.
“I try to speak with him very regularly, a minimum of four times a week. I miss him. He had always been independent and on his own in Lagos before traveling. I miss him but we speak regularly so I don’t miss him too much. Very soon, I will visit him,” he added.
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