Japa Syndrome: House Of Reps Reject Motion Seeking To Stop Nigerians’ Migration

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The House of Representatives on Thursday, rejected a motion seeking to declare the migration of young Nigerians to other countries, a national emergency.

Hon. Philip Agbese, representing the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State who presented a motion in that direction said that the available statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit indicated a mass relocation of young Nigerians abroad.

He expressed worry that those leaving Nigeria were not just the poor but middle class who possessed skills, noting that if it continues Nigeria may fall into grave crisis in the critical sectors from education to healthcare, thereby making a bad situation worse.

Agbese said, “In line with the renewed hope theme of the President Bola Tinubu administration, the triggers that predispose young Nigerians to find the choice to leave the county attractive, such as uncertainty of the duration of stay in higher institutions, poor living wages, growing unemployment, poor living condition, insensitive leadership, insecurity, post-graduation realities, among others, which makes young people frustrated, demands a declaration of a state of emergency in order to address the japa syndrome.

“Our young population remains one of our greatest assets, and although the prospects of a growing Nigerians in the Diaspora could be beneficial in a way, it should not be at the expense of our needed manpower, also as it bothers on national pride when our young, bright minds leave the country in droves, conveying an impression that ‘Nigeria is a sinking ship that everyone is rushing to get out of”.

Also Speaking in respond to the motion, Hon. Sada Soli presented a point of order, pointing out that the resolution went against citizens’ constitutional rights to travel freely within and outside of the nation.

In opposition to Soli, Hon. Ahmadu Jaha argued that the proposal was sound and deserved broad support because it simply aimed to address fundamental problems and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians, especially professionals.

When the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, finally presented the question, the majority of the MPs chose to reject the resolution.

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