Abuja, April 9, 2024 –Â Some Stakeholders of an online platform have advised Nigerians, especially the youths travelling abroad, to be more patriotic and travel legitimately for self and national development.
This was part of the highlights of the discussions at a forum where the Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), delivered a lecture on “Pros and Cons of Japa.”
The forum was organised by No Dull Moment in Islam (NDMI), an online platform for Muslim Elites and Professionals.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was the Special Guest of Honour, spoke on irregular migration and its negative impacts as well as ways to mitigate its effects with a focus 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 exodus of Nigerian youths under the guise of looking for better opportunities elsewhere without having the intention of returning back to the country to give back.
She said that this was due to the challenges Nigeria was passing through which was global and been faced by the countries they are running to.
Dabiri-Erewa described migration as a fundamental right of an individual, but advised that such movement must be justified and evaluated before embarking on it.
She recalled how the Commission alongside other agencies of government 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.
The NIDCOM boss said some of them had subjected themselves to menial jobs that they could not do in Nigeria, some lost their lives in the process, while others had sold their family inheritance just because they wanted to migrate.
She implored the Nigerian professionals to increase their awareness and education about the negative effects of irregular migration and the importance of seeking employment within Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa assured that the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will 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 return for those who have already been affected through aggressive advocacy and partnership with relevant agencies of government.
In his contribution, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) who is also the Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also 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 shared his experiences in his interaction with some Nigerians who travelled outside the country and canvassed for more collaboration with government agencies to stem the tide of irregular migration and brain drain.
He also advised Nigerians in the 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 Nigeria Medicals in the diaspora, to implement recommendations for improving the health sector in Nigeria.
He shared his recent experience while trying to import medical equipment for teaching hospitals in Nigeria which attracted huge custom duties capable of discouraging donors thus highlighted the need for a standing committee to scrutinize new equipment and ensure their authenticity.
Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in Ilorin, said he detested how some of his
colleagues refused to return to Nigeria after studying abroad to apply their acquired knowledge and skills.
He said India, China and Singapore utilised the experiences of their returnees from Diaspora for national development.
He advised that Nigeria use Nigerians who returned from abroad to take 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 mindset and promoting their message.
The participants expressed determination to continue their efforts towards improving the situation.
They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to support the returnees by providing enabling environment for them to thrive.
Participants highlighted the difficulties faced by professionals trying to bring in their expertise into the country, which included financial and bureaucratic hurdles which should be removed by the government as an incentive for investors in the country.
Participants stressed the importance of patriotism and community involvement in social development, particularly through cultural renaissance.
They advocated for a stronger social security system to assist the unemployed, and encouraged greater volunteer services to strengthen the country’s fabric.
They equally proposed hat 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 abroad due to frustrations and difficulties which graduates face in Nigeria, should explore legal assistane for job legitimacy.
Earlier in his welcome speech, Dr Mutiu Agboke, the Coordinator of NDMI, said the platform was for Muslim elites and professionals for championing issues of national cohesion and development through its regular online lectures where resolutions are passed to relevant agencies for execution. (GBN)
