Seeking unity

President of Nigerian community works for closer ties in business, culture


Growing up alongside his businessman older brother, “Stanley” Enoch Davis Obinna always recalls having an entrepreneurial spirit.

As soon as he left school, where he studied business, he set up a textiles shop. Then in 2002 he learned of the big demand for Korean imports in his homeland, Nigeria, and set off to investigate for himself.

For several years after arriving in South Korea he worked for others, figuring out the market and deciding where his talents could best be used.

In 2005, when he felt the time was right, he restarted his business, concentrating on second-hand clothes, textiles and handbags, popular imports in Africa.

“I started very small; I started by exporting 20 foot containers and by the grace of God my business expanded up to exporting 40-foot containers.

“Now, I have many factories in Korea where I make packages, I now even have a machine to make goods for shipment,” said Davis, who now exports not just to Nigeria but around Africa.

The 44-year-old was the first African to register his company, Davis Group Korea, as a group of companies here.

But apart from his wife and children ― a family he has formed since arriving in Korea ― Davis is most proud of his achievements in unifying the Nigerian expats here, he told The Korea Herald at the office of the Nigerian Community in Korea, in Itaewon, central Seoul.

Nearing the end of a two-year term as the Nigerian Community’s president, an elected post, he is able to reflect on the ups and downs of leadership.

As of 2009, according to the immigration office here, there were 1,785 Nigerians registered in South Korea, the vast majority of whom were men involved in business.

“I have listened,” Davis said thoughtfully, explaining that his primary strength has been as a mediator easing the path of Nigerians in a foreign country and ensuring that they integrate well with the Korean community.

“My duty is to see to the welfare of every Nigerian here. If they have a problem, the first thing is to contact me and I will give whatever I can give to make sure that they are OK.”

“I might not be able to do everything ― I have my own problems ― but my ability here is to make sure that (Nigerians) feel at home and feel that they’ve met someone who can listen and give some direction,” he said, aware that particularly in terms of business he has plenty of advice to give.

Davis also knows well the feeling of being a stranger in an unfamiliar country. When he first arrived he recalls having difficulty adjusting to the change in diet and cold winter climate.

“It’s not easy to be in a foreign land. I will say a lot of Nigerians have had some predicaments, but that is how it will be when you’re in another country.

“My advice is always make sure you compose yourself very well,” recommended Davis.

To encourage a sense of community and a support network for Nigerians, Davis has instigated social events and get-togethers. His latest was the creation of the Ambassador’s Unity Cup, a country-wide soccer tournament.

“Through the glory of God I have been able to bring my community together again because during the past we’ve had factions. I’ve had to bring them together under one umbrella as a community,” he said.

“Nigerian Hill” in Itaewon provides a safe haven for those seeking home comforts, but Davis believes there are also clear similarities between Korea and Nigeria, which can help people assimilate wherever they are in the country.

For one, they share the respect for age with Confucian Korean society.

“In Nigeria we respect our seniors … there are certain things a senior will tell you to do and you will not have to ask him why, you will just do it because they are your senior and they asked you to do it.”

He also finds Korea’s multi-religious culture to be similar. Korea has a significant Buddhist population, Nigeria a significant Muslim demographic, but they have Christianity in common.

Davis, hailing from Alayi in the eastern region of Nigeria, found that a great help when he arrived and served as the Assistant President for Foreigners in 2005 at the Presbyterian Korean Church in Wondang.

He praised Korean Christians for their welcoming and helpful attitude toward new expat members.

“With new believers they will always help you and assist with your problems … and when you go to church, they will always make sure you take lunch before going back home.”

Ultimately, though, he feels that integration into Korean society is all about the extent to which you are prepared to learn about and appreciate another culture.

“If you can understand their (Koreans’) culture it makes living here much easier,” he said, advising that it is not wise to expect your own norms in your host country.

The Nigerian community has in the past suffered its own internal conflicts, but it has also been the subject of external prejudice, among Korean society but also elements of the expat community.

Davis believes that if all expats are on friendly terms here, regardless of nationality or occupation ― teachers, the military and other professions ― it would be mutually beneficial.

“To me I think it would be good if we (expats) could come together and be more integrated than we are. We are strangers in a foreign land.

“By coming together we can share our experiences regarding Korean culture, it will help us to understand it,” he said.

If he could chose one thing about Nigerian culture to recommend to others, it would be the way people embrace outsiders in their country, whilst also remaining patriotic.

There are currently around 800 Koreans in Nigeria, most working as construction engineers for Korean firms but also some permanent residents and a handful of missionaries. He encourages others to visit, recommending the ripe business opportunities of the emerging economy as well as the tourist pursuits of its rich and varied landscape.

“It is a land of opportunity,” he said, also emphasizing the privilege he feels he has been granted to be able to work in Korea.

He hopes that in the future Korea and Nigeria can work together more culturally and in business, where he sees few barriers apart from language.

“If we can bring the two countries together that will be an honorable thing.”

Davis is proud of his achievements as president of the community here and feels he has made it more unified. But his strong religious faith ― he is presently an elder at the Redeemer Church of God ― makes him reluctant to accept credit as he is guided by his belief.

“As a Christian I believe that whatever I can achieve here now is by the grace of God. I don’t talk of skill because that I’m a leader does not mean that I happen to be the best here. I believe God wants me to lead his people.”

Although he is leaving the date for his return home up to a higher power too, he said that whenever he goes, he will always be glad of what he learned in Korea ― his home for the last 10 years.

“I’ve learned much here so I will always be grateful. I believe that whatever I am now, that is from Korea and so I will always be thankful for that.”

‘Stanley’ Enoch Davis Obinna

• 2003-2009 — Vice President of International Chapel Korea, chairman of the
Alayi Development Union Korea

• 2005 — Assistant president for foreignersat the Presbyterian Korean Church, Wondang

• 2005-present — President of Davis Group export company, first African to
register group of companies in Korea

• 2009-present — President of Nigerian Community in Korea

• 2005-present — Elder at the Redeemer Church of God, Seoul

By Hannah Stuart-Leach  (hannahsl@heraldcorp.com)