This is Israel: From Struggles to Sanctuary: My Journey of Building Home and Hope in Belfast
Roots Beyond Borders
A life that defies labels and celebrates shared humanity
Let me tell you about my life - it’s never been simple, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I was born in Nigeria in 1972, left home at 16, and made my way to Germany where I became a citizen. In 2008 I landed in Belfast, and now, at 53, North Belfast is my place. It’s my community, my identity, my home. I’m a dad to two grown-up kids, married to a strong, brilliant woman whose faith is Russian Orthodox. I’m Nigerian by birth, German by passport, Northern Irish by heart. I’m a Black man, I see myself as Protestant, but I don’t fit neatly into any box. And that’s okay. Because when I strip away the labels, I’m just a human being - feeling sorrow, hope, happiness, just like you. We all bleed the same colour. We all chase dreams and face challenges. That’s what connects us.
Resilience in the Face of Rejection
Turning discrimination into determination
I’ve always tried to stay positive, but I won’t pretend the road has been easy. Germany had its share of racism, but nothing prepared me for some of the things I faced in Northern Ireland. In 2008 I was working in Belfast when my manager believed gossip that I was “illegal.” He didn’t check facts, didn’t follow procedure - just told me to leave or he’d call the police. When I pushed back, he said, “Germans are white, so you can’t be German.” He thought my passport was fake. Five minutes of checking would have shown I was legal. Instead, I was treated like a criminal.
Another time, in a cleaning job, the local manager always picked the three Black workers to scrub toilets and do the worst tasks. “That’s your job,” he said. I’d joined a trade union by then, so I knew my rights. I spoke up. He laughed: “Who are they going to believe - you or me?” His mate was higher up, so I went straight to the regional manager to raise the issue.
Then in 2015, I was waiting for an interview and stepped into the bathroom. Two panel members walked in, not knowing I was there. One said, “Did you see the Black guy outside? No chance he’s getting the job. He can dress up all he wants, but the likes of him won’t work here.” I walked out, washed my hands, looked them in the eye, and went back to the interview. When they asked about my experience in the interview, I smiled and said, “Why bother asking? You’ve already decided because of my skin.” The colour drained from their faces. I didn’t get the job, but I walked out with my head high.
These moments hurt, but they didn’t break me. They made me more determined. I refused to let racism define me.
Kindness That Changes Everything
How one woman’s compassion lit a path forward
In 2010 I was seriously ill with a heart condition. My family was struggling - no food, no toys for the kids, barely surviving. That’s when Mae walked into our lives. She was from SureStart, visiting about support for our daughter. She saw our situation and didn’t just tick boxes. She went way beyond her job - helped us get the benefits we were entitled to, gave us advice, and even put £50 of her own money in my hand for food. Mae didn’t judge. She cared. She gave us a hand up when we needed it most. “We didn’t want a handout,” I told her, “just a chance to stand.” And she made sure we got it.
Mae also encouraged my wife to chase her dream of a PhD. At Queen’s University, Dr. Joe Vyle saw her talent and believed in her. He didn’t see labels - he saw the person. Because of people like Mae and Joe, I learned that dreams are possible, even when everything feels impossible.
Paying Hope Forward
Founding communities of welcome, inclusion, and support
The kindness of people like Joe and Mae changed everything for me, so I decided to pay it forward. In 2015 I co-founded the Nigerian Community Northern Ireland (NICONI) to promote awareness, education, and inclusion. That same year I started IAssist-NI, supporting BAME people with long-term illnesses through befriending and practical help. In 2016 I joined Belfast City of Sanctuary and became Chair in 2019 - working to make our city a place where refugees and new arrivals feel safe, welcome, and valued. Then in 2017 I founded Diverse Youth NI, bringing young people from different backgrounds together to explore, learn, and build friendships.
I do this because I believe one act of kindness creates another. If I help someone today, they’ll help someone tomorrow. That’s how we change the world.
We Are All Human
A call to see the person behind the stereotype
I love Belfast. The day I arrived at Europa station; I asked a taxi driver for directions. It was only a 10-minute walk, but he drove me anyway, chatting about the city, its history, its people. He made me feel welcome from the first moment. That’s the Belfast I know - the one full of good, kind people. Yes, there are a few who judge by skin colour or accent, but they’re outnumbered by those who see you as human. I saw it in the thousands who marched against racism after the death of George Floyd, and again last year, after the race riots. We stood together because we know: we share the same struggles, and the same hopes.
This is me. This is my Belfast. And together, we can make it a home for everyone - one story and one act of kindness at a time.
“One act of compassion can ripple through lives, communities, generations.”
One city. Many stories.
Meet the people behind the stories.
Real voices, lived experiences, and the moments that shaped them.