Stakeholders on an online platform have advised Nigerians, especially the youth traveling outside the country, to be more patriotic and travel legitimately for self and national development.
This was one of the highlights of the lecture delivered by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), on the “Pros and Cons of Japa” at No Dull Moment in Islam (NDMI), an online platform for Muslim elites and professionals.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was the Special Guest of Honor, discussed the phenomenon of irregular migration, its negative impacts, and potential ways to mitigate its effects, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing Nigeria’s medical personnel and the issue of Nigerians being trafficked to Libya and other countries.
The NIDCOM boss confirmed the mass exodus of Nigerian youths under the guise of seeking better opportunities elsewhere without intending to return to the country to give back.
She acknowledged that though the country is facing challenges, which are global and also faced by countries where some Nigerians migrate, migration is the fundamental right of an individual. However, such movement must be justified and evaluated before embarking on it.
Dabiri-Erewa recalled how the Commission, alongside other government agencies, facilitated the return of over 10,000 stranded Nigerians from Libya alone, as well as from Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Lebanon, Germany, among others. She mentioned that some of them had subjected themselves to menial jobs they couldn’t do in Nigeria, some lost their lives in the process, while others sold their family inheritance just to migrate (Japa).
She implored Nigerian professionals to increase awareness and education about the negative effects of irregular migration and the importance of seeking employment within Nigeria.
On the side of the Federal Government of Nigeria, she assured that the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would implement reforms to create more job opportunities and improve the economy, aiming to reduce the need for migration.
She reiterated the resolve of her Commission to work on strategies to prevent Nigerians from being trapped in situations like those in Libya, ensuring safe returns for those who have already been affected through aggressive advocacy and partnerships with relevant government agencies.
In his contribution, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), who also serves as Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), explored the reasons for migration from an Islamic perspective, the need for economic advancement and knowledge transfer within their community, and the potential of harnessing the diaspora to improve the country’s economy and security.
Oloyede, who shared his experiences in interactions with some Nigerians who traveled outside the country, advocated for more collaboration with government agencies to stem the tide of irregular migration, thus reducing brain drain and encouraging the Nigerian diaspora to invest in Nigeria’s economy.
The JAMB Registrar expressed his willingness to work with the Minister of State for Health, who is in charge of Nigerian Medicals in the diaspora, to implement recommendations for improving the health sector in Nigeria.
Prof. Is-haq Oloyede shared his recent experience of trying to import medical equipment for the use of teaching hospitals in Nigeria, which attracted huge customs duties, capable of discouraging donors. He highlighted the need for a standing committee to scrutinize new equipment and ensure its authenticity.
Speaking in the same vein, Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, detested how some of his colleagues refused to return to Nigeria after studying abroad to apply their acquired knowledge and skills.
He argued that India, China, and Singapore utilized the experiences of their returned diaspora for national development, thus proposing utilizing the experiences of Nigerians who have returned from abroad as advocates and taking advocacy messages to religious houses.
Participants at the webinar also discussed the potential of harnessing the diaspora to improve the country’s economy and security while acknowledging the challenges of changing mindsets and promoting their message.
The participants expressed determination to continue their efforts towards improving the situation, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to support the returnees by providing an enabling environment for them to thrive.
Similarly, participants highlighted the difficulties faced by professionals trying to bring in their expertise into the country, including financial and bureaucratic hurdles, which should be removed by the government as an incentive for investors in the country.
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Above all, the participants emphasized the importance of patriotism and community involvement in social development, particularly through a cultural renaissance, as well as advocated for a stronger social security system to assist the unemployed and encouraged greater volunteer service to strengthen the country’s fabric.
They equally proposed to the government that the Japa team, which consists of Nigerians working abroad, could act as agents to assist their fellow citizens seeking employment overseas, thereby contributing to the country’s national development.
It was also recommended that those migrating outside the country based on frustrations about the difficulties graduates face in Nigeria should explore legal requirements for job legitimacy.
Earlier in his welcome speech, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, the Coordinator of NDMI, said the platform is for Muslim elites and professionals across the globe championing issues of national cohesion and development through its regular online lectures, where the resolutions are passed to relevant agencies for execution.
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