Japa syndrome: Reps reject motion to stop emigrations

Forum 10 months ago

Japa syndrome: Reps reject motion to stop emigrations

A MOTION seeking to declare emigration of young Nigerians broad, popularly known as Japa syndrome, a national emergency was roundly rejected by the members of the House of Representatives at plenary yesterday.

The motion sharply caused some rowdiness in the chambers as members said it was against the spirit and letters of the 1999 constitution on freedom of movement.

The lawmakers, however, adopted the prayers of the motion, urging the federal government to convene a national summit with key stakeholders to effectively address the syndrome.

They also asked that a state of emergency be declared on the factors that predisposed young Nigerians to give up on Nigeria in preference for other nations.

Presenting the motion earlier, the mover, Philip Agbese, noted that available statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit indicated a mass relocation of young Nigerians abroad.

He said: “The recent reports by African Polling Institute indicate that 69 per cent of young people would opt to relocate abroad, if given the chance or if the opportunity presents itself.

“There is a 40per cent increase in the number of young Nigerians leaving the nation, compared to the number captured in 2019, as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 was 1.7million, which is a substantial increase from 990,000 in 2010.

“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.