In the political landscape of Finland as it concerns the minority African community, only one Nigerian has been elected a City Councilor and that was in the year 2000 under the Christian Democrat. Since then, many have attempted but they weren’t successful. Mr Anthony Anih a health worker based in Vaasa will be looking forward to turning the tide with his Swedish People’s Party of Finland which has great influence in Vaasa.
About myself
Anthony Sopuruchi Anih is a Fnnish Politician, Founder and Director of Chivia Foundation- Child Violence Impact Africa. Chivia Foundation is a non-profit and private-public partnership dedicated to create awareness and support violence exposed children across Sub-Sahara African countries. As a doctoral researcher at Åbo Akademi University Vaasa, Finland, Anthony has a strong background in Children and Adolescent mental health especially vulnerable children from war-torn areas, refugees and immigrants. He is also a contributor to Vasabladet newspaper on the areas. Anthony was born in Nigeria but shares Nigeria and Finland as his countries. Over thirteen years ago, Anthony embarked on a study journey to Finland where he bagged certificates in healthcare science- nursing, mental health and today researching under Developmental Psychology. He has produced scientific publications and presented in high-profile conferences issues including parental trauma on family functioning, adolescent development etc.
Political Career
There are numerous reasons people delve into politics or choose political career in life. For me, it is far from way to fame or fortune. Obviously, politics as a career in this part of the world is mainly a community work, representation and being a voice to the people. Personally, I feel a sense of innate leadership skills, power to influence people and desire to do all those. In other words, I am more of a marketer. Beyond all the aforementioned qualities, I have a burning desire to give back to the society that have cared for me in different areas such as education, healthcare and security ever since I immigrated to Finland. I have every reason to be a good human, immigrant, and citizen in a country that has trained me with taxpayers’ money. Considering my education qualifications, work experiences and international exposure, I can excel immensely in different countries like America, United Kingdom and Canada but they are not my options and targets. It is topmost on my scale of preference to contribute to a sustainable development in my City, Vaasa and Finland at large.
Anthony Anih
I have also participated in several community works as both volunteer and organizing member. They can be minor participations but also contribute to societal building. Now is the right time. A time to give back to my society as a decision-maker. Regarding the forthcoming Municipality election, I am optimistic that I will be elected into Vasa city Council to represent the voice of foreign-born residents.
What did you see in the Swedish People’s Party of Finland that made you pitch your tent with the party?
My support and commitment to the Swedish People’s Party of Finland is unwavering and un-negotiable considering its political ethics and values. At the onset of my political career, I had so much interest in Social Democratic Party of Finland, but after a thorough research about Swedish People’s Party of Finland, I became captivated.
The Swedish People’s Party believes that prosperity and justice are made out of a society that serves individual human beings, an economy that supports everyone and considers the environment. It has also a strong believe in an inclusive education system, that gives every single resident of Finland the opportunity to develop and become whatever one wants to be. On another important point, I would emphasize that Swedish People’s Party is a Liberal organization. Liberalism in the sense tolerance, equality and openness. More so, it supports freedom of thought.
Do you speak Swedish fluently?
Firstly, I speak both Swedish and Finnish language. Nevertheless, I always inform people especially at workplaces that my Swedish language skill is stronger than my Finnish language skill. The reason being that I got in contact with Jakobstad town the first time I moved to Finland. I lived, schooled and worked there before moving to Helsinki and back again to Vaasa. It might sound as a joke but I can proudly mention that Jakobstad is my hometown in Finland. It was there I learnt to speak Swedish language.
What do you cherish most about your community?
Early winter this year I made a statement on Instagram that triggered a huge traffic on my social media page. I mentioned that relatively, Vaasa City has a great number of foreign-born residents including naturalized citizens, permanent residents, students and refugees. Vasa city has abundant potentials and skills among immigrants that can boost growth of the local economy, create jobs and cater for individual households in terms of providing basic needs.
Vaasa city has a well-planned integration package considering the diversity of its immigrant population. The integration service ensure support for individuals and families in different life challenges, knowledge and understanding about Finnish society and culture, and working life. Importantly, the integration program is carried with respect to one’s culture.
Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your two highest priorities for change in your community, in the short and long term.
Over the years of my research as a developmental psychologist, I came to the conclusion that our individual perspective about human world depends heavily on where we grow up. Where we grow up changes the way we look at the world. But, it makes one neither better nor worse than the other. Growing up in Nigeria, Africa opened my eyes to how big the world is, it gave me a sense of how people struggle amidst hopeless in government, ethnic violence and unbeatable unemployment. Less progress was made in securing accountability for human rights violations and abuses and the right to freedom of expression remained increasingly restricted. While growing up in the society, I understood that things were not right because a better society has the responsibility to protect its citizens and provide them with the opportunities to excel in life.
Finland is a small country compare to majority of the countries where its immigrants came from. It is our collective responsibility as immigrants to promote peace, protect the environment and contribute earnestly in growing the economy. At the moment global economy is wobbling and politicians are not speaking with one voice. It is actually a scaring situation for Europe and America. Even the corona virus pandemic that seemed to be a universal equalizer has significantly worsen many of the root causes of armed conflict in Africa, Middle East and Asia. The pandemic has de facto exacerbated and entrenched social and economic inequalities, which increase the risk of conflict. The post-COVID19 pandemic is on the way to hit hard on Western economies
For some time now, Nigerians in Finland has not been in the spotlight politically, do you see yourself as the one to change the narrative?
It is certain that I will always identify with my country of origin, which is Nigeria. However, the moment is about protecting our democracy and building a better future for the beautiful country that have shaped us to the best of what we represent today. Like every ordinary citizen on the street of Nigeria, the opportunity to reclaim my sense of purpose, scholarship to higher education and basic healthcare services were far-fetched for me. Finland gave them all to me. I was trained by taxpayers’ money. Therefore, it is all about Finland. It is all about my dream to contribute to a sustainable economic growth and promote peace across the nation.
My aspiration and dream remain a constant one. It is a dream to build a better future for you and me. I look forward to a time when I will not be judged by country of origin, color or religion. A time when my job application would not be decided based on my surname. As a Nigerian by birth, I will continue to struggle for the best of our beautiful country, Finland.
Any message for the voters from the immigrant background?
The year, 2021 municipality election in Vaasa is certainly not a Nigerian or African election. I am contesting under the umbrella of immigrants’ community in Vaasa. Therefore, the only assured way to accomplish the dream of winning the seat is a pragmatic approach. We are one united voice and we sing the victory in a laudable form. We need a collective effort to achieve the dream. We need to stand in solidarity as fellow immigrants, to see each other, our pain, our aspirations, our struggles, our hopes and our dreams.
We came from far and near to make up one community of foreign-residents in Vaasa, we need our voice to be heard. We need one of us to sit among others on the table where matters concerning us are discussed and decided. Our health and employment come first, in whatever we do, and they go a long way to determine a lot about us and how the larger society of Finland feel about us. The struggle is not only about us but also for our children and next generation of immigrants.
