Reps reject motion to declare national emergency on ‘japa’

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 had 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 null 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 ayes were overwhelmed by the nays.

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.