Peter Obi embraces ‘Japa’ syndrome
The Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has embraced ‘Japa’ syndrome, Nigerian slang for emigration, declaring that it is good and healthy for the country, and his position on this, is coming, just as record has it that about 10,296 Nigerian Doctors are practising in the United Kingdom alone
Penpushing reports that Obi’s support for the syndrome was contained in a post via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, which was said to be in reaction to a report where the Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, was quoted as supporting the recent surge of Nigerian professionals leaving the country to seek better living in other countries, especially in Europe and America.
‘I have always preached and maintained this same position on the ‘Japa wave. Our brain drain today will be our brain gain tomorrow. Nigerians leaving the country may look like a loss today, but when we start doing the right things and taking the governance of our nation more seriously, the knowledge and resources from them will be critical in the building of the new Nigeria, as it happened in China, India, Ireland and other developing countries,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the February Presidential election argued that India’s tech industry success was partly due to utilising resources from Indians abroad.
The politician noted that Nigeria would grow and develop on all fronts only when the country prioritises investment in education and health and supports small businesses, and guarantees respect for the rule of law and the security of lives and properties.
‘Then our diasporan Nigerians around the world will return home with their global training, skills and resources to immeasurably contribute to building a New and better Nigeria. We will not give up on our dreams for the new Nigeria’, he added
Penpushing also reports that the former Governor of Anambra State pointed out that more Nigerians willing to ‘Japa’, just as he explained that we should not give up on our dreams for the new Nigeria to come
The records, however, showed that there has been growing concern over the mass emigration of Nigerians to other countries in search of greener pastures, with recent reports showing Nigeria has been losing a high number of health workers to foreign countries like the United Kingdom and United States of America (USA)
Penpushing reports that, last November, the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Prof Abiodun Otegbayo, disclosed that 600 doctors resigned in one year, adding that at least 15 high-calibre personnel resign weekly.
The 2022 African Polling Institute survey also indicated that 69 per cent of Nigerians would relocate out of the country with their families if given a chance, while record equally has it that in 2019, only 39 per cent were willing to emigrate.
Penpushing further reports that a study put the 2023 Nigeria migration rate at -0.273 per 1000 population, which indicates that more people are emigrating from the country.
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