From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives, on Thursday, rejected a motion seeking to address incessant emigration of youths, especially professionals, to other countries, known in local parlance as “Japa syndrome”.
The motion, which was sponsored by
member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Philip Agbese, was titled “need to declare emigration young Nigerians abroad A.KA. Japa syndrome a national emergency.”
The motion had sought to urge the Federal Government to convene a national summit with key stakeholders to effectively address the “Japa” syndrome, as well as “declare a state of emergency on the factors that predispose young Nigerians to give up on Nigeria
in preference for other nations.”
Agbese, while leading debate, on the motion, which was seconded but Dennis Idahosa, from Edo State, expressed concern over the large number of young persons leaving the country to leave permanently in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada amongst other countries.
According to him, “the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada portends a grave danger for our nation in many ways from economic to intellectual and social aspects.
“Also concerned that the Nigerian population is made of two-thirds of persons under the age of 30 and a
good number of these persons are already afflicted with what today is acceptably referred to as the ‘Japa syndrome’, as estimates indicate a staggering tens of thousands have relocated to the USA, Canada, South Africa, and even Gambia over the last two years.
“Those leaving Nigeria are not just the poor but middle class who possess skills and workforce, including Bankers, Lecturers, Health care practitioners, Doctors, Nurses, trained
manpower, all of whom were trained in Nigeria and emigrating at a time when their services are needed to build a strong and vibrant economy in Nigeria”.
“If this scenario continues with our able minds, brains and skilled personnel leaving, Nigeria may fall into grave crisis in our critical sectors, from education to healthcare, thereby making a bad situation worse”.
Nevertheless, Sada Soli, who raised a point of order, argued that the motion infringes on the constitutional rights of citizens to freely move in and out of the country.
However, Ahmadu Jaha, who countered Soli, said the motion is geared at addressing fundamental issues, which would make Nigeria more habitable for all citizens, particularly, professionals.
He noted that if the fundamental issues are addressed it would encourage doctors, nurses, engineers and other professionals to remain in the country.
Regardless, majority of the lawmakers rejected the motion in a voice vote.
Agbese told journalists that he was impressed that the motion got the attention of the entire House, stating that he will represent it at a later date. He commended the speaker, Tajudeen Abbas for allowing a robust debate on the motion.