This piece was inspired by three related factors.
The first. Recently, I read a story book, titled: “From Rags to Riches,” by Adenike Akinjobi. The theme of the literature is about amorous affairs between a brilliant University graduate from a poor family and a lady (also a graduate) but from a very rich background.
The relationship did not receive the blessings of the lady’s parents, to the extent that when she took in, her enraged father went berserk; approached the family’s physician treating her daughter for malaria in the hospital, instigating the Doctor to abort the pregnancy!
His reason was that he couldn’t withstand a ‘village boy’ who he recklessly declared was forced to attend University to marry his only daughter and ended up taking over ownership of his expansive and rich estates.
Eventually, the Doctor pricked the desperate supposed father-in-law’s conscience and subsequently made him reason.
He counselled him that his daughter had found a partner she loved, irrespective of his poor family background. The Doctor went further by asserting that the happiness he craved for his only child could be attained, if he set up the young man with business. The message immediately sunk and thereafter, the man jettisoned his ignominious plan.
The second ‘influencer’ is the ironic story of a cousin who up until now lives in the United States. By all standards, she has been doing and still doing very well, till date. But she always speaks to the contrary, whenever we engage each other on the way of life abroad, back home and where would be her choice, if she were to choose.
She would always restate: “Boda Taju”, in States, you earn exactly what you work for, no wastage, no shortcut, everybody is well taken care of, but you pay dearly for all services you enjoy!
For this reason, she ascertains one must work extra ordinarily hard, to live well and have pittance reserves and savings. The experience, she always alarms, is tough. Her position is that for her to survive in ‘Naija’, she doesn’t need to go through the degree of stress she does abroad! Hummn!
The third “prompter” was a conversation I once had with the wife of a friend. The wife has a sister, a practising Judge. The topic of our discussion was how “Japa” has taken its toll on the Banking, Health and Education sectors of the country.
My friend’s wIfe scolded her Justice sister – on her position to restrict her children from travelling overseas to make a living.
However, I rationalised the Judge’s position. I told her that her sister understands very well that though the system is working fine in western world, still, the stress foreigners go through to survive and make ends meet is enormous and killing.
Similarly, I told her that her sister knows very well that many Nigerians travel out due to hopelessness and frustration. That the Justice has links in high places, so she could walk her way through, to fix her children. Besides, she knows very well that it’s a lot better for her children to stay back, struggle and make a successful career at home.
My friend’s wife was also told that her sister would have confidently posited that apart from holiday, there is virtually no reason for one to be locked in foreign lands for survival. To some extent, she was convinced by the justification I gave to corroborate her sister’s opposition to “brain drain”.
The three narratives above are not to underrate some of the reasons and factors always adduced to justify ‘Japa’ syndrome.
At the same time, they are to make those still aspiring to join the league that individuals’ God-given talents and potentials with focus, resilience and good strategies can be explored to achieve greater results at various levels of economy.
Again, the experiences being shared are to send a caveat; That the west is not a bed of roses. Truly, there is social justification there, still, the level of leakages is minimal, so, cheating the system is difficult and almost impossible.
In any case, not all those who crossed over the shore make it. This may sound shocking, but it’s real. So, the issue is like in the Yoruba proverbial saying: “Eni egun nle ki oma roju, bi o se nre ara aiye, ni o nre ara orun”. (The one who is being trailed by masquerade should persevere, as fatigue affects both the prey and would be predator).
A national daily in 2023 did a special report, focusing on the alarming mortality rate of Nigerians living abroad. The bane of the casualties according to the report was that many left the country with multiple loans from friends and families to process visa, flight and other sundry expenses.
So, for them to survive and pay the loans, they need to go for three, four jobs with little or no good resting time. In the end, they overburdened themselves, a situation that leads to many health and mental conditions, such as developing high blood pressure, distress and low productivity.
Ironically, few Nigerians who have lived abroad are now pushing and advocating for staying back. A recent instance is that of a Medical Doctor, Patrick Ezie. The Physician has lived and worked overseas for years, but his verdict today is: Nigeria is where healthcare services are needed the most.
Ezie, who is the Medical Director of Silver Cross Hospital, Guidna in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, confirmed that the number of lives his hospital has been able to save was a testament that “home is where the impact is needed, not overseas”.
The Doctor’s advocacy aligned with the recent Federal Government’s appeal to medical practitioners to resist the urge of leaving the country.
While meeting with members of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Medical Association in June this year, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, pleaded: “Let us stay back and salvage this nation together. This is our country, the greatest black nation on earth, and a promising nation that we need to invest in.
“The NMA is one of the most prestigious, preeminent associations in this country. We must commend you for the sacrifices you are making and for staying put in this nation.
“All hope is not lost because Nigerian doctors are making giant strides, recording milestones in the profession and, most importantly, making tremendous sacrifices to serve this nation.”
Apart from economic survival, what about challenges of socio-cultural differences in relation to raising family and upbringing of children? While racism has stayed for long, the emergence of another outrageous trend captioned with the acronym “LGBT” is another aspect every right thinking person should and must give serious thought. If you manage to free yourself from the horrible experience of the new ‘abnormality’, what about your family members, in particular, your wards, as they develop and grow in foreign lands?
The points being made here are: Circumstances in which we found ourselves make ‘Japa’ a vogue. But truth be told as being proven, it’s never the best option for an individual’s survival and growth of the country.
The following submission by a “netzin” (an internet user) will drive the points home further.
“No foreigner can develop Nigeria for us. We have to face our realities, roll up our sleeves, pull resources together, and begin to narrow down to what aspect of the economy we want to make an impact.
“Only Nigerians can develop Nigeria.
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“The capital to develop the country is already in our hands. If our statistics are what they truly are, the GDP of Nigeria in 2023 was $476bn. The budget of the government for the same year was a paltry $19.8bn, which is just 4.2% of our GDP. All the noise we usually make is a misplacement of priorities. Our real problem is misallocation of the 95.8% of the GDP that is in the hands of the private sector.
“Most of the countries in Europe do not have as much GDP as we do in Nigeria, yet our citizens Japa into all those countries for greener pastures because most of those countries have a smaller population…”
Therefore, today’s – 2024 Conference and 6th National Discourse of The Companion (Association of Muslim men in Business and the Professions) with the theme: “Between Patriotism and Self Preservation” and Lecture Topic: “Dilemma of the Nigerian Youth: Challenges at Home, Uncertainties Abroad” is to reset the public mindset and change its focus for a more productive and patriotic drives and struggles for survival.
No doubt, all attendees, joining physically or virtually will have something to take home in the end. Wishing all a fruitful session.. Balogun is the Deputy Editor, The Eagle Online; E-mail: [email protected]; WhatsApp: 08023289053.
