The Japa phenomena and it's implications for the National Development, Organization by NiDCOM

By favour Augusta Eke 

Japa phenomena 

Abuja, July 25,2024 (FNC)

The Japa phenomena and it's implications for the National Development, Organization by NiDCOM 

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says Nigeria has raked-in about $99 billion from diaspora remittances in the last five years.

Speaking on Thursday at the state House, 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebrations with the theme “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development”. 

President of the Nigerian Senate, who was represented by Sen. Sani Bello, the Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs stressed the need to reverse the Japa trend, by creating an environment that will entice Nigeria’s teaming youths, to seek fortune within their homeland

Senator Sani Bello drew emphasis to the need to address the prevailing Japa phenomena, a trend where droves of skilled and talented youths persist in seeking fortune beyond the nation’s shores, daily.

According to him, "determination must remain unwavering, we must create an environment that not only foster technological growth, but also entices our talented youths to seek their fortune within our homeland.

“He said "let us enhance job prospects, tighten security and cultivate an inclusive and supportive economy. By investing more in education, healthcare and infrastructure; we will retain our skilled workforce and draw back those who have ventured afar.

He listed some of the programmes and activities of NiDCOM to include: National Diaspora Day Celebrations; and was visibly elected that events marking the annual celebration was successfully hosted on July 25 and 26, 2023.

It was the 17th anniversary of NiDCOM  and the 5th edition to be marked; and the event was carefully planned to recognise and celebrate over 20 million Nigerians living in the diaspora.

Dabir-Erewa, through  the commission gave  National Diaspora Merit Award to different professionals on July 26, 2023; that's Day-2 of the event. 21 notable Nigerians in the diaspora and four diaspora associations who were adjudged to have contributed to the development of the country and their host countries were recognised and honoured with the coveted awards. 

Worthy of mention is the fact that the awards were presented by no other person, than Her Excellency Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of federal Republic of Nigeria.

Next was the Badagry Door of Return Festival, which was celebrated by NiDCOM in the month of October 2023. The programme was developed to commemorate the gruesome ordeal  thousands of Nigerian slaves had to suffer from, during the obnoxious slave trade era and the significance of the ancient city of Badagry, during the period.

“Badagry Diaspora Festival, with its Door of Return ceremony is designed as a variable platform for our reunion of descendants of the ex-slaves, and an avenue to attract descendants of Diaspora Africans, scattered all over Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean among others.

These were Africans whose ancestors were forcefully taken away in dehumanizing conditions, during the infamous Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, being welcomed back to their ancestral home, for permanent residency, and or, to do business.

According to a World Bank statistics made public recently, Nigerians in the Diaspora have remitted over 99 billion US dollars into the system in the last five years. By any standards, this is huge financial in-flow, and is highly commendable.

So, this is a sector that the commission and federal government need to pay more attention to. At present, we haven’t paid sufficient attention to it. A lot more ought to be done for us as a nation to be able to tap into the enormous resources we have with the diaspora. We are still scratching the surface, and that’s what I will say.”

She then expressed the hope that the enabling Bill would pull through, so that Nigerians in the diaspora would benefit from the adjoining provisions of being allowed to participate (vote) in elections in the country.