Yusuf Gaya, Information Technologist, “All faiths preach compassion and kindness. You cannot claim you have good faith if you are not kind.”

Soft spoken and articulate, 28-year-old Yusuf Gaya came to Canada in the winter of 2015 to pursue his studies in Information Security Management at Fanshawe College in London. Even though he had braced himself for the cold, it was, says Yusuf, “a baptism by fire.”  Yusuf hails from Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria which is situated in the north. “Nigeria is a mix of ethnicity, faiths and beliefs,” says Yusuf, “but we have all learned to coexist together. That’s the mark of humanity, being able to coexist together.”
Yusuf had a comfortable upbringing with opportunities to travel and visit family in different parts of the world.  He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of East London spending two years in Malaysia and one year in England. Soon after completing his National Youth Service, he found work as an IT Analyst in Abuja. A gap in IT security in one of his projects sparked his desire to study further and he came to Fanshawe with the intention of completing his course and returning to Nigeria.
While Yusuf was able to navigate the system in Canada without too much difficulty, he did find himself in a place where he knew no one. “But my experiences have been positive,” says Yusuf, “my neighbours, peers and colleagues at Fanshawe made me feel at home and accepted.”  He continues, “It could be something as simple as a smile, holding the lift door open, being addressed with respect. It is these small gestures that made me feel welcome.” 
When Yusuf graduated from his program in August 2016, he realized that he was eligible for the study work permit, so he applied for work and was able to find a job almost immediately as an IT analyst at WILL Employment Solutions where he still works. In addition, he also works at the South London Resource Centre as Program Support with the settlement agency. “Working with WILL has given me a comprehensive picture of the struggles faced by newcomers to London,” says Yusuf. He recommends that anyone who comes to Canada for the first time should look up the settlement services offered in their city and reach out to them, as the support provided is invaluable.
Yusuf is the youngest of four siblings, and he feels that being in Canada has allowed him to grow up in ways that would not have been possible if he had stayed in Nigeria where his parents and older siblings would have watched over him carefully. However, Yusuf believes that the values he was taught have held him in good stead. “I would never compromise those values,” he says, “as I would be very disappointed in myself.” 
Yusuf reflects on the increasing diversity in London. “It’s a blessing,” he says, “because we have an opportunity to know about other cultures, food, religions etc. and realize that we are all Canadians and friends.”  He is part of a soccer playing community that believes that sport is a vital way to promote unity. He often reflects on the lessons he learned in his one year in the Nigerian National Youth Service, which aims to promote the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all, irrespective of cultural or social background. 
“There are many different Nigerian sayings about life,” says Yusuf, “but the one I live my life by is “that ‘Experience is the best teacher.’  It allows me to be adventurous. To make mistakes and learn from them.  To be successful and learn from that success.”
As a young Muslim man, Yusuf found his way to the London Mosque early on and believes that the Friday prayer is a way for all Muslims to come together and commune. “The whole point about having faith is not about the individual, it is about humanity,” says Yusuf, “all faiths preach compassion and kindness. You cannot claim you have good faith if you are not kind.”   He treasures his freedom to practice his faith in Canada and feels that he has never been discriminated against as a Muslim man.

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