The House of Representatives has rejected the call to stop the increasing migration of Nigerian professionals seeking jobs outside the country.
The member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Philip Agbese, had moved a motion to that effect on Thursday, urging his colleagues to support it to curtail what he described as ‘JAPA syndrome’.
Agbese expressed concern that, “the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada portends a grave danger for our nation in many ways from economic to intellectual and social aspects.
He argued that, “if this scenario continues with our able minds, brains and skilled personnel leaving, Nigeria may fall into grave crisis in our critical sectors, from education to healthcare, thereby making a bad situation worse”, praying that a resolution be passed to urge the Federal Government to convene a national summit with key stakeholders to “effectively address the JAPA SYNDROME” and declare a state of emergency on the syndrome.
However, Hon. Sada Soli raised a point of order, and pointed that the motion was in contradiction of the constitutional rights of citizens to freely move in and out of the country.
Hon. Ahmadu Jaha countered Soli, saying it was a good call that needed to be supported overwhelmingly, adding that it only sought to address fundamental issues which would make Nigeria more habitable for all citizens, particularly, professionals.
When the question was eventually put by the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, majority of members voted to reject the motion.
Reps reject call to end ‘Japa’ syndrome
