DO NIGERIANS HAVE TO ‘JAPA’ BEFORE THEY RULE THEIR WORLD?
Nigerians social media users could not hide their disappointment and astonishment as the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, stated that he was not bothered by the fact that Nigeria doctors were leaving the shores of the country to practices abroad.
The Minister, who himself is a medical doctor, made this statement in a country where one medical doctor attends to 6000 patients as against the 600 to 1 doctor to patient ratio as recommended by the World Health Organisation. This statement made the minister see the red eye of Nigerians.
It is not just Nigerian doctors who are leaving the country, every profession with a dream to escape mediocre standard Nigeria seem to offer, has at one time or the other considered, tried to and have left the country. There has been constant criticism of the Nigerian system which has been unfriendly and hostile to merit, ambition, and dreams. All most professionals see are walls that have been built to keep their dreams at bay. I became really worried when a barber said he would leave for Canada to practice his trade because business in Nigeria is cruel.
The truth is every right thinking Nigerian, especially young people wants to leave Nigeria, If you are like me who have turned down an opportunity to leave the country, you are probably mentally disturbed. It is unfortunate that the Nigerian dream for must Nigerians is to leave the country, either through the right channels or through other channels.
The mentality that you have to leave the ‘shithole’ (as a popular president called Africa and Nigeria in extension) called Nigerian before you can make headway has become commonplace.
There is the popular notion that if the likes of MMA Champions, Isreal Adesanya, renowned writer, Chimamanda Adichie, celebrated actor, David Oyelowo and others didn’t leave Nigeria at the time they did, they would probably have their dreams still lodging in their imagination.
Even those who are doing really well in Nigerians once lived or schooled abroad. Think about it, the best practitioners in Nollywood, example, Banky W. Adesua Etomi, Beverly Naya, authors of start-ups, striving businessmen and women are more likely to be returnees.
In fact, I feel that the likelihood for a returnee to be more competitive in the job market and to succeed in the Nigerians business and creative space is higher than people breed here. I do not have any reason for this, and I do not have a statistical compilation to prove this, but I think my assumption is more likely to be genuine than the fact that Nigeria will achieve constant electricity supply in 2020.
It is unfortunate that most Nigerians do not know that live overseas has its disadvantage, there is the popular belief that everything automatically works out fine and life becomes blissful the moment you manage to leave Nigeria for any country in Europe and Americas. This, in most cases, is not the reality. life overseas, according to stories we have heard have not been as blissful as we thought.
It is painful that Nigeria was at a time the pride of Africa. Nigerians don’t leave the shores of the country before their names become known; before they become world acclaimed in their individual endeavour. Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, etc. got global recognition while they lived in Nigeria. At that time, Nigeria was the pride of Africa. Nigerians made names for themselves without having to leave the shore of the country. In fact, Nigerians abroad were eager to come back home after their stay abroad to come and contribute their quota to the development of the country.
I have come to realize that any person who can survive the harsh terrain and realities of Nigeria, can equally take on the world. This is one of the reasons Nigerians abroad are outstanding. They know what it means to be a Nigerian, the hustle and the trouble it takes to live a fulfilling life in Nigeria. The innate instinct to survive and strive is enough motivation for Nigerians abroad to put in their best and achieve all they are known for.
While it is important to note that, you, in your quest to succeed, should do whatever it takes, even if it means leaving the shores of the country. However, it is a terrible misconception to think that success can only be attained when you leave the country. You can be world acclaimed in your country if you patiently work hard to be.
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