Nigerian Irish woman aspires to Dáil seat

Ireland needs to step up when it comes to migrant representation in Irish politics.

Passionate advocate and leader in migrant rights in Cavan is Maryam Temile, who recently graduated from the Migrant Leadership Programme by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

Maryam is originally from Nigeria, having come to Ireland in 2004, and aspires one day to be elected to the Dáil.

A lawyer by profession called to the Nigerian Bar, Maryam came to Ireland to further her studies in Trinity College and graduated with a Master of Laws in 2011. Friends had recommended Ireland as a “peaceful country”, which was “good for family life”.

“When I came to visit Ireland, I fell in love with its serenity.”

Coming to Cavan wasn’t initially on the cards for Maryam, however accommodation struggles in Dublin saw her looking elsewhere for somewhere to stay. A friend recommended the Breffni county where she found a place to stay.

“I would have preferred Dublin,” she said, with more opportunities suited to her profession there, or so she thought.

The mother of two travelled from Cavan to Trinity College daily to complete her studies. The hindrance of accommodation became a blessing in disguise for Maryam, finding a home in Cavan.

“Getting a job was, as a migrant, was very difficult years ago in Ireland.

“I wasn’t lucky with getting a good job,” she said, despite having a masters from Trinity College.

Maryam began volunteering locally, taking a different path to her original career aspirations.

“Luckily for me, I met people who became like family to me.”

“I fell in love with Cavan.”

“That was when all of these community things started.”

Diverse

By “community things” Maryam means her heavy involvement both locally and nationally in initiatives aimed at enhancing migrant representation in Ireland. The mother of three is chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Cavan, an executive board member of the Cavan Cross Cultural Community, board member of Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre and Gaelscoil Bhreifne. She represents women’s rights on a local level, is a trained Parent Plus facilitator delivering workshops on healthy family living and is a qualified cultural champion advocate helping migrant families access services in Cavan. Maryam is also a Peace Ambassador with the Universal Peace Federation of Ireland.

Among all of her titles, there is one more that Maryam dreams of achieving - becoming a TD in Dáil Éireann.

Her recent studies gave her insight in the Irish political system. “I love anything with decision making, I want to be at the same side of the table where decisions are being made to favour the less marginalised and the underrepresented people. That is my dream.”

Migrants make up over 12% of the population in Ireland, with only 10 holding council seats out of 119 and currently no TDs or senators.

“It’s time we have our voice to be heard, it’s time we need to be at the political table, at the policy making decision table, it’s high time,” she said.

Between 2011 and 2015, over 42,000 migrants were nationalised in Ireland.

However, Maryam questioned how many of these people you see in political seats, how many you see in the teaching positions or on football teams?

“Democracy is governed for the people, by the people, that is democracy and, when you’re looking at Ireland, there is something missing. The elements of democracy are not complete in Irish politics,” she opined, arguing that the elements of participation, justice and equality are not currently present.

Her passion derives from the struggle she had in pursuing her career in Ireland, which is shared by so many others.

“Getting a job as a migrant even when you are well educated it is always very difficult.

“Most of the migrants, they are so talented,” she said, calling for the government to provide more opportunities for migrants, many of whom already have a degree in their home country, which is not recognised here.

Although the situation is better than when Maryam first arrived here, she said “there is still much more that needs to be done”.

She organises events across the county in order to integrate different nationalities, allowing people to work together in harmony.

“When there’s community spirit, you find things are so much easier because the society can move forward,” she said.

“Stereotyping will be reduced, prejudice will be reduced, and racism will be reduced. I won’t judge you because I would know who you are and your culture.”

A vital element of Maryam’s work is representing “less marginalised” people who can’t speak out, giving example of people who are experiencing domestic violence. Representing the interest of women with Local County Development Council (LCDC), the cultural champion is a listening ear and acts as a bridge between migrants and Cavan County Council.

“They won’t share because of their family stigma and all sorts of things.”

“We are there to help them, to be their voice,” she said, adding that translation for people whose first language is not English is a barrier.

“I know so many people who are ready to give back to the society because Ireland is a beautiful country, we are ready to give back and make a difference. We are here to build the country together.

“Somebody has to start something, we are here to stay, my kids are Irish and I’m Irish,” she said, adding that she is proud that her three children Ryan (19), Gemma (17) and Gennelle (10) speak Irish fluently.

“Anything that will help me to make this country a better place, I’m ready to do because I’m Irish and I’m ready to impact and make a difference, that is why I’m here.

“Somebody has to start something for others to follow,” she concluded.

“If you want something to change, it has to start from you for others to see it in your and then they follow suit.”