Adedokun Waliyu 
Beyond the negative reputation often ascribed to Nigerians in Italy as traffickers in drugs and human being, a young female Nigerian is changing the narrative with her exploits in the European country, GRACE OBIKE reports.
When stories are told about Nigerians in Italy, the impression usually created is that of irresponsible individuals who constitute themselves into social nuisance by way of prostitution, human and drug trafficking and other forms of vices.
A 2017 report by ReliefWeb titled ‘To be a Nigerian Migrant in Italy’ quoted some Italian sources as saying that about 50 per cent of Nigerian women and girls migrants in Rome in particular and in Italy in general are forced by smugglers and human traffickers to work as sex slaves.
A research conducted in April 2022 by ReliefWeb stated that approximately 119.000 Nigerians reside in Italy; that the country hosts the second-largest group of Nigerians in Europe (after the UK) and is “the most important destination for Nigerian victims of trafficking”.
While in 2016, IOM Italy reported that the top nationality of migrants reaching the country via sea was Nigeria, with a notable increase in the number of women (11.009 compared with 5.000 in 2015) as well as of unaccompanied children, with over 3.000 compared with 9.00 in 2015.
From all the negative reports, however, some positives are finally coming out in terms of Nigerian migrants doing great in the country.
One of such news is that of Tracy Eboigbodin, a Nigerian woman from Benin City, who emerged winner of the 11th series of Master Chef, Italy, an international cooking show.
Ms Eboigbodin, her brother and parents had relocated to Italy from Nigeria 17 years ago when she was only 15 years. She recalled that things were tough for her family after they relocated but she stayed focused.
She went on to graduate from the university while working as a waitress; a job she did for about 15 years before proceeding to culinary school. She embraced her passion for cooking and ventured into the international cooking competition replicated in over 60 countries.
Eboigbodin explained that she refused to be limited by the stereotype of being a Nigerian and a woman from Edo State, as they are often times linked to prostitution and trafficking.
Her words: “It is not just me; a lot of Nigerians are doing great things in Italy. They are hairdressers, tailors, and so on.
“They don’t need to depend on men. There are so many Nigerians in Italy that are good.
“I have a Nigerian friend in Italy who is a doctor. So the story is changing.
“Unfortunately, this side of Nigeria is hidden from the citizens (Italians) so they do not know us.
“They only know the negative side.
“I think it is time to change the story about Nigerians, especially about Nigerian women, because there are so many talented ones.
“They can give more.”
The Italian embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and Fraser Suites, celebrated Ms Eboigbodin at the seventh edition of the annual week of Italian cuisine in the World, which was held in Abuja.
The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, described Eboigbodin as a good representative of the youths of the country and the fact that Nigeria youths can make it anywhere they choose in the world.
He said the stories of Nigerians in the diaspora is changing for the better.
De Leo said unfortunately, stories of Nigerians achieving great things in Italy is not usually celebrated as the negative ones, but that of Eboigbodin should be a turning point for young people to dream and achieve in whatever field they choose.
Hailing Eboigbodin for her feat, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, urged Nigerians in the diaspora to emulate compatriots, making the nation proud in their host countries.
Tallen said: “This is one of the best news we would have coming from Italy as against the backdrop of all the bad news we have been hearing about Nigerians in Italy.
“Thank God for this beautiful news. She is here to break the ice and turn things around.
“And I believe this is the beginning of many good things about Nigerian women in Italy.
“She has opened new doors and closing bad sides of the stories.”
The Minister promised to ensure that Eboigbodin is made an ambassador for young girls in Nigeria, especially in her home state of Edo, to enable the girls realise that if they decide to travel, they can make it through hard work and determination without having to get themselves engaged in activities that could spoil the image of the country.
On her part, Eboigbodin said she intends to train other Nigerian girls in Italy on alternative means of making a living either by returning to school or getting themselves engaged in handwork, especially hair braiding which is quickly becoming sort after by residents and could be rewarding if one engages in it.
