Though quite honestly, Nigeria is a very frustrating country and I will not blame anyone to look for a greener pastures abroad. At the same time, I will not also want to encourage people to embark on an unplanned trip abroad. I really can not imagine someone with a good paid job or a secured job abandoning such a promising job for a six – month visit visa to any western world. It is only a foolish man that leaves certainty for uncertainty
By Adekunle Alaye
The trending slogan (JAPA) in Nigeria with the meaning “run-away” seems to be likened to the yoruba adage of a talking drum” that faces someone but backs another.
Traveling abroad is indeed one of the great paths that anyone could ever experience or imagine in life. Just like a British slogan that says ” Traveling is part of education”. It is considered as a feat to someone’s life.
Especially, to some of the people from this part of the world, where barely every basic sector is dead or horribly functional of course “JAPA” would be the next line of action. Just because it has become very imperative to look for a greener pastures. Having been disappointed and frustrated by the government of Nigeria.
As a young man I have been traveling abroad (Europe) to be precise, since 2004. Oh mine! Western world is quite very lovely and interesting to live. You would be so delighted and remained fulfilled that you are overthere. This is because some of us have been perennially denied of so many basic things of life. Very sad though!
Sequel to my experiences so far in different European countries, I can say without any sense of prejudice, that western world should be a desire of anyone including myself. Except, if anyone signs a contract with suffering and smiling or incorrigible poverty.
However, base on my experience too, I have classified living abroad into two broad immigration status:
1. The life you live over there
2 What are you doing with your life in the
western world?
Quite honestly, as individual who embarks on “JAPA”, you must be sincere with yourself, by answering those two categories of immigration status above. Thus, also needs to be very convinced and double convinced that you are embarking on a very promising and ideal sphere of your life.
“Traveling should not be end but a means to an end” (Kunle Alaye). The aphorism implies that if you must go abroad at all, please let it be a trip that would open doors for your greatness in life. Please be sure that it is indeed an exercise for greener pastures.
Not only that You must also be able to differentiate between career prospects and material prospects. That is you need to ask a question of what exactly do you want for yourself?
Western world is not ATM or a place where you arrive and start to access your wealth on the streets. “You have got to work for every bit of what you earn man ok”
In the early 60s and 70s until early 80s, Nigerians who traveled abroad were always eager to return home because fantastic offers were waiting for them. And they were better useful to return home too to make their impacts on their country.
Though quite honestly, Nigeria is a very frustrating country and I will not blame anyone to look for a greener pastures abroad. At the same time, I will not also want to encourage people to embark on an unplanned trip abroad.
I really can not imagine someone with a good paid job or a secured job abandoning such a promising job for a six months visit visa to any western world. It is only a foolish man that leaves certainty for uncertainty.
Of course, as a graduate from the western world, (Brandenburg University) Cottbus in Germany, I can only imagine getting a better offer in the same western world and relocate for better immigration status and not just for a “JAPA” due to the hardship in the country.
One very interesting thing or ironical fact is that some people are stuck abroad and choose to remain there. All they need from you is prayer because you that are here in Nigeria, may be shocked that you are even better than some of them.
Finally, I will encourage every individual to imbibe a good immigration status if you are to travel abroad with the mind of settling down, such as ” students visa, “PR”, Doctoral and Post Doctoral scholarship, masters, work permit etc. In fact you would enjoy it and be highly respected.
However, shun all forms of desperate “JAPA syndrome”. Otherwise, it could land you in a disastrous end. My dear, “that is if you even come back home alive”.
Traveling should be a means to an end and not the end itself.
•Adekunle Alaye, PhD, writes from the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.
