The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission’s (NiDCOM) Chairman, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says the youth’s migration syndrome a.k.a `JAPA’ is having negative impact on the country’s human capital resources.
Dabiri-Erewa said this on Thursday at a press conference to announce activities of the commemoration of the 2024 National Diaspora Day Celebration slated for July 25 in Abuja.
She said that the theme for this year’s celebration, was “Japa Phenomenon and its Implications for National Development.”
According to her, the event would also feature the 2024 Diaspora Merit Award.
She said that the day was set aside to commemorate Nigeria diaspora, hence the reason for the theme also bearing in mind the benefits and the disadvantages of japa.
She said that “it is another year for us at the commission and another opportunity to stand on the threshold to commemorate the National Diaspora Day/Diaspora Merit Awards to appreciate outstanding Nigerians in the Diaspora.
“This year’s theme Japa, the Phenomena and its Implications for National Development, is very timely as it aptly describes the country’s migration status especially within our youth population.
“Japa, a Yoruba word which means to flee or escape, has overnight become the trademark for Nigerians leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“Factors such as economic instability, security concerns, and inadequate standard of living are ranked high among reasons for the exodus of Nigerians abroad.
“The consequence of this phenomenon is the decline of strong human resources because most of the Nigerians relocating are the youths.
“This in turn, makes a downward turn on labour and productivity in the country. However, we have to turn our lemons into lemonades.
“ Today, we change the story by celebrating those vibrant Nigerians who are making positive impacts in the Diaspora and making the country very proud, also those who while abroad are contributing positively to national development,’’ she said.
Dabiri-Erewa added that the national diaspora celebration was a call to action for all Nigerians, public and private driven sectors, government agencies and the media.
According to the NiDCOM chief, phenomenon demands Nigeria’s collective attention to find ways to leverage the expertise and resources of our diaspora for national development.
“On our part as the sole government agency for Diaspora affairs for Nigeria, we will host the second edition of the national diaspora merit award, after its maiden outing last year.
“The awards ceremony as usual recognises wonderful diaspora Nigerians in the areas of agriculture, business, health, leadership, philanthropy, sports, education, entertainment, technology and industry,’’ she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the activities would fearure at the event include, panel discussion on the theme of the day, goodwill messages, presentations on special diaspora projects by Nigerians in diaspora commission.
Others are, presentations on investment projects by members of the diaspora community in Nigeria amongst others.
