Chrys
The house of representatives has rejected a motion to
declare a state of emergency on factors causing young Nigerians to relocate
abroad.
The motion titled: “Need to Declare Emigration of Young
Nigerians Abroad AKA Japa Syndrome a National Emergency” was sponsored by
Philip Agbese, a lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal
constituency of Benue state.
While moving the motion, Agbese, a member of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), said reports by African Polling Institute indicate
that 69 percent of young Nigerians would opt to relocate abroad if they have
the opportunity.
He said the United Nations Department of Economic and Social
Affairs reported that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 totalled
1.7 million — a substantial increase
from 990,000 in 2010.
The legislator said the “growing statistics” of young
Nigerians relocating abroad portends a grave danger for the nation in many ways
ranging from economic to intellectual and social aspects.
“The eagerness to migrate to countries that offer hope seems
to have a compelling influence. Those leaving Nigeria are not just the poor but
middle class who possess skills/workforce including bankers, lecturers, health
care practitioners, doctors, nurses, and 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,” he said.
Agbese warned that if the “japa” situation continues with
the nation’s best brains and skilled personnel leaving, the country “may fall
into grave crisis”.
He, therefore, prayed the house to ask the federal
government to convene a national summit with key stakeholders to effectively
address the “japa syndrome”.
Agbese also asked the house to declare a state of emergency
on “the factors that predispose young Nigerians to give up on Nigeria in
preference for other nations.”
THE DEBATE
Contributing to the debate, Sada Soli, a lawmaker from
Katsina, opposed the motion, saying it breaches the fundamental human rights of
movement as contained in the constitution.
“This motion as it is
looks nationalistic but it contravenes the provision of the constitution. It is
the liberty of a Nigerian. If he is qualified, he has all the grand rights to
move anywhere he wants to source for a living,” he said.
The lawmaker said the motion should not be allowed to pass
because it contravenes the provisions of the constitution.
Similarly, Idris Wase, former deputy speaker, said any law
or motion that conflicts with the provisions of the constitution is nill and
void.
Speaking in favour of the motion, Ahmadu Jaha from Borno
said the motion is seeking to prevent Nigerians from relocating abroad but to
address the factors behind their emigration.
“We should be mindful
of the prayers of the motion before killing it. The mover of the motion is not
praying that everybody should be stopped from going abroad,” he said.
“Let’s tell ourselves the truth. The factors enumerated (in
the motion) are the actual factors or reasons behind people leaving this
country to seek greener pastures somewhere”.
He added that the motion is “appropriate” and should be
considered.
In his debate, Femi Bamisile from Ekiti moved for an
amendment of the motion that the word “Japa” should be expunged because it is a
“street language”.
“It should be removed
and a proper word used,” he said.
However, when the motion, including the amendment, was put
to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, the nays were
overwhelmed by the ayes.
Speaking after plenary, Agbese said he will rework the
motion and represent it before the house.
He also thanked the speaker for giving lawmakers the
opportunity to express their viewpoints on the matter.
