Kene Udoh said even years after moving to Los Angeles from Nigeria, he cannot part from his roots ““ he said he lives, breathes, and speaks about Nigeria at all times of the day.
Udoh, a fourth-year psychology and neuroscience student, moved to Los Angeles from Nigeria at age 17 ““ leaving his family, friends and life behind ““ in order to pursue one goal: attend UCLA.
But once he got there, he wanted to keep his culture close by sharing it with others.
In his second year at UCLA, Udoh heard about the Nigerian Student Association from friends. He soon joined the organization and has become an active member and its current treasurer.
On Saturday, the organization plans to host its second “Nigerian Cultural Show,” a night of traditional Nigerian dance, theater, food and song.
Udoh’s distinct accent and light attitude easily draws other students to him, and he said he never tires of talking to people about his childhood in Nigeria.
“When I meet people they always ask about Nigeria, and I tell them about my experiences. I lived in Nigeria for 17 years of my life, but it feels like a 100,” he said.
During Saturday night’s performance, Udoh plans to participate in a skit that comically addresses Nigerian perspectives on American culture.
The culture show, which will include a skit about the world arts and culture major that portrays Nigerian parents questioning the idea of “wacking,” aims to highlight the differences between Nigerian and American culture, said NSA President Valerie Okelola.
“We, as Nigerian students, are taking from both worlds. We’re exploring, but we’re keeping our heritage with us,” Okelola said.
In order to keep ties with his family, Udoh moved in with his uncle when he first arrived in California. He began attending community college in Santa Clarita to prepare himself for UCLA.
“I’ve always wanted to come to UCLA. I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Udoh said, adding that he dreamed of attending the university as a child.
“UCLA is known worldwide, even down to the villages in Africa,” he said.
In the five years he has lived here, Los Angeles has not only become his home away from home but a community of friends and family.
Last year, Udoh joined with other Nigerian students to reorganize the Nigerian Student Association, which had been dormant for several years. Saturday’s performance marks the second time a cultural show has been put on by the NSA. The last time a cultural show was hosted by the NSA was in 2003.
Over the past two years, a small number of students have worked to increase NSA membership and leadership, helping the NSA grow strong enough to host a show, said Ameachi Okafor, NSA cultural show director.
“It’s really important for us to go out there on campus and show people our culture,” Okafor said.
The planning of the cultural show has drawn its members together, Okelola said. Many members have worked very hard preparing for the show, including Udoh, who has played an essential role in encouraging members to participate, she said.
“A lot of the guys look up to him as a senior and respect him. Kene has been that force to reach out to the other guys in the group,” she said.
Okelola said she is glad the NSA connects her with other Nigerian students on campus and provides a support network, especially as NSA members have spent a lot of time together getting ready for the show this weekend.
After weeks of preparation, Okafor said she is proud of the cultural show, especially after the obstacles the NSA has faced, including finding a suitable venue.
“Even if we’re not born in Nigeria, we still have these Nigerian values … and that’s a beautiful thing,” Okafor said.