I would like to see a future where we can collectively change the ugly for beautiful, a future where people can learn to see the good in the bad. I would like to see a future where everyone is given equal opportunity without there being any bias or talks about privilege. I would like to see a future where we all take a stand on what is moral and fight against what is immoral.
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
My name is Omav Kpokpogri (Po-Po-gree apologies for the K, it is there to confuse people, and I, unfortunately, cannot take it out). I am of the Isoko tribe that originates from Delta State in Nigeria, however, I was born and raised in Lagos State which makes me a Lagosian. I travelled frequently to the UK until when I finally relocated in 2010.
I have four siblings, and I am child number four. My dad was a Rear Admiral in the Nigerian Navy before he passed away in active service, so part of my growing up was in the naval base. My siblings and I all went to military school, so if you see me marching down the corridor with a serious face on, please don’t be scared to say hi, I promise you, I’m friendly.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Enjoy life and be happy, but never forget who you are and where you come from, because that is your identity.
What has your experience been living in the UK?
With every experience, there are ups and downs. I have had both positive and negative experiences, but the positive far outweighs the negative. In the 10 years I have been here in the UK, I have mostly had a good time. I can say this as I have the privilege of knowing what life is like on another side of the world.
The UK is now my new home. I have my family here, I have friends here, I have my career here, so it has been a blessing for me, but with that being said, there have been times where I have been reminded of my skin colour in ways that no human being should.
In the 10 years I have been here, I have been racially abused four times, and I can count that because it stays with you, but with each encounter I had, I took it as something that I would have to tell as part of my life story. Did it break me? Not at all. I am far too well travelled and educated to let ignorance or lack of knowledge affect me. One thing to remember is that people are people, and one person cannot be held accountable or responsible for the thought process of a whole country.
As I said, 10 years and four counts, that’s four days out of 3,650 days plus some…. and for me that’s alright.
What is your vision for the next generation?
I am very hopeful that the next generation would see race as what it is… race. Right now, my generation is very accommodating and accepting of the differences amongst us, and very keen to learn and understand what makes us different. As an example, there are more interracial relationships now than there have ever been, and this has led to the rise of bi-racial children being born. I personally think these children would be a majority race soon and a beacon of hope that times have changed, and people are more accepting of the new world regardless of race.
What change would you like to see in the future?
Maya Angelou said if you can’t change it, then change your attitude. With that being said, I would like to see a future where we can collectively change the ugly for beautiful, a future where people can learn to see the good in the bad. I would like to see a future where everyone is given equal opportunity without there being any bias or talks about privilege. I would like to see a future where we all take a stand on what is moral and fight against what is immoral.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Advisor
