The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
‘It’s Dangerous To Travel Abroad Without Proper Visas and Documents’
· I Went To Egypt, Israel, and Other Countries Before Settling In The Netherlands-Eromosele
· Fraud Is No Guarantee For Wealth But Hard Work, Sense Of Purpose, Nigerian Youths Told
By Prince Benson Davies
Not many Nigerians leave the country in their heydays and still return to the country to give back to society, but that is not the case with Anthony Eremosele, who was first inspired and decided to see the world in 1991 and is now a citizen of The Netherlands, where he has resided for 22 years.
Anthony, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Palmetto Hotels in Lagos, hails from Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State and is a graduate of accounting from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) before moving to Europe to study Business Administration at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
In an exclusive interview with The New Experience Newspaper, the successful businessman and philanthropist revealed that he was in his second year at UNIBEN in 1991 when he decided to travel and see the other side of the world, bearing in mind the condition of the country, a decision that took him to Egypt, Israel, and other countries before finally settling down in The Netherlands, where he and his wife, whom he married in 1998, had their children and now reside.
As a licensed car dealer with a thriving business in the United States (U.S.), where he has resided since 2012 and is also a citizen, Anthony narrated that when he left Nigeria, it was not easy for him to travel abroad.
His words: “It was very difficult then. I am talking about 1991/92 through 1994. I went through the road and I won’t advise anyone to go through the land, especially now, as it has become very dangerous. If you want to travel, go through the right source, by air with the appropriate visa, because if I have to tell you my story, it is a long, long, long one. “It is dangerous because you have to cross the sea, take a boat, and even work at night. You know, there are different stories that we can’t tell now. I don’t want to even remember all the experiences. It is a long, long story. “Things are different now compared to then when there were passport controls. Everything is now digitized compared to those days when you had laminated passports and things like that.” On his parents’ influence in his life, the 53-year-old recalled that at a point, he felt he was suffering and couldn’t take it anymore, but with the help of his family members who encouraged him to hang on, he got through and arrived where he is today.
He spoke very fondly of his 95-year-old mother and said that he just might have taken after her, adding, “My mom is a great woman, and she is alive. She is 95. She gave me moral support and prayers, and by the special grace of God, she is still praying today, and I am happy she is still alive.
“She gave me her blessings and encouraged me a lot when I was young. I followed her footsteps because I think she was a businesswoman; she knows how to do business, so that is how I was raised.”
Unfortunately, Anthony lost his father at 72, revealing that his dad had an accident in 2001, which led to his death.
Anthony, who has a burden to contribute his quota to a better society, has been embarking on projects in his hometown and beyond, including singlehandedly donating books to primary schools in all the LGAs in Esan in 2004. In 2021 and 2023, he fixed some bad roads and helped to connect electricity in some areas.
Despite his contributions to Nigerian society and his zeal to keep doing more, the 53-year-old says he is not inclined to venture into politics, saying: “I have no political ambition in Edo State. No, I am not into politics, I don’t like politics. I don’t want to be a politician, I have never been and I don’t want to.”
He also touched on his experience in Europe and the system of government in comparison to Nigeria, describing them as different and incomparable, especially in Amsterdam.
He said: “I live in The Netherlands. I am a citizen of that country and also a citizen of the U.S. Europe is way different. They are well organized. The thing is that Europeans are strict. Their word is their bond, which means if they tell you something, this is how it is.”
Continuing, he highlighted how living in Amsterdam shaped his worldview, adding: “I was trained in that kind of way, so it makes me disciplined. They taught me how to be self-reliant, honest and dedicated.”
Economically, Eremosele described The Netherlands as a country filled with serious-minded people who are honest and believe in equality, when compared to Nigeria.
“There is no segregation compared to Nigeria. Nigeria is a good country only when you have money. If you don’t have money in Nigeria, everybody looks down on you, but Europe is not like that. Not Europe, Holland is not like that. Holland is a place where even if you don’t have money or a job, they provide for you.
“There is social welfare, which ensures that they provide you with housing and all the facilities you need until you get yourself on your feet in terms of employment,” he stated.
Nonetheless, the Edo State-born and bred entrepreneur maintained that Nigeria will always be his home, as he expressed optimism that the country will change for the better someday.
“There is nothing like home. Regardless of what is going on in Nigeria, there are safe places in the country, especially in Lagos. I won’t because of what is happening and because of the stories people are telling about neglecting my place of birth.
“I still feel Nigeria will change one day, regardless. If we, as Nigerians, cooperate and have a common dialogue, Nigeria will be a haven for people to call home,” he added.
He further advised Nigerian youths not to be lazy or discouraged, just as he admonished them against engaging in illegal activities, as he called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to be more supportive and help their kinsmen back home in a bid to better Nigerian society.
“They should sit up and fight for their rights, avoid corruption, fights, conflicts, and rivalry. If you seize all these things, you will make it in life.
“There’s no safer way to riches than hard work and tenacity. If you think you will commit fraud to make money, you can make money in certain ways, but not satisfactorily. You will be scared every minute of the day anticipating police officers. So, the best thing is to work hard and remain safe,” Anthony concluded
