Battle to overcome difficulties after returning to the continent

ELIZABETH Okoh is one of the exciting new generation of African authors writing about “home” from the diaspora.

In The Returnees, she tracks the story of three young adults returning to Nigeria from London.

In this immensely readable novel we meet Osayuki Idahosa, who leaves behind her job in public relations after a shattering betrayal by the man she has lived with. She is savvy, smart and has a great job lined up in Lagos.

Cynthia Okoye is a graduate whose parents have had enough of her ennui and pack her off to Nigeria to take part in the National Youth Service. She is peeved about being sent “home”, but comes to discover that there are choices to be made within constraints.

Kian Bajo has plans to be an Afrobeat star, and plans to make it big in Nigeria.

The three meet at Milan airport while waiting for their connecting flight. It’s clear that both young women think that Kian is a bit of a braggart, but the story he brings is one of determination to succeed – and he has been promised things by a friend in Nigeria who turns out to have exaggerated his plans to turn Kian into a superstar.

Okoh manages to write about a somewhat annoying character, while at the same time showing his vulnerability.

Cynthia is bewildered by what she sees as her exile back to a country that has never been home for her. But she comes to find that if you put the sulking and bad temper aside, it is possible to change a situation.

Each has their own reason for going back, and the intersection of their lives is beautifully managed. Witty and filled with life lessons, I loved it.