The idea of ‘ja-pa is what is currently trending in the minds and on the lips of every frustrated, tired, hopeless and depressed Nigerians. Yes, you heard me right, I mean every frustrated, depressed and hopeless Nigerian who could not help their frustrating, present and tired predicament or socio-economic situation(s), or think of better ways or solutions to their present problems or challenges or unpleasing status ,instead they would resolve to want to ‘ja-pa’ for greener pastures in other countries of the world.
“Ja-pa” which literally means to run away from or leave the country of one abode for greener pastures in another supposed or assumed better country of one’s choice.
The sociolinguistic import of the word into the dictionary of Nigerian English and the ‘ja-pa’ syndrome should worry every serious individual, especially the Nigerian government. Then, the next question should be, why do most Nigerians, especially the youths want to ‘ja-pa?
One of the major reasons why people want to ‘ja-pa’ is high rate of unemployment in the country .It is no longer news that the number of jobs available in the country does not commiserate with the number of graduates leaving the universities on yearly basis. And the few good jobs available are not easy to get. They are meant for those who are well connected or have connections with the upper echelon.Even those that have jobs, cannot guarantee their jobs security. So, most youths who are unemployed or who do not have a good pay job prefer to ‘japa’ from Nigeria where things ;especially jobs are getting more difficult day by day and year by year ,to countries where they think getting good well-paid jobs is not herculean task like Nigeria.
In addition to the high rate of unemployment ,some employed youths want to ‘japa’ because of lack of good working conditions or welfare package for them by the employers ,which has led to brain drain of the country’s good heads and best hands, especially in the medical, teaching, Engineering and information technology sectors.
Many youths also want to ‘ja-pa’ because of insecurity and lack of qualitative and stable educational system in our high towers. Most Nigerian youths prefer to study in an environment where safety is assured and upheld, where incessant strikes from lecturers will not make them spend more years than necessary in the university.
However, there is the need for us to be patriotic by staying in the country and build the nation together, because there is no place like home .We can go there(abroad) to work or acquire knowledge and experience and bring the knowledge home; to our country for its betterment.
A patriotic Nigeria endures relentlessly and hopes for a better nation by doing the right things within his/her power; like ensuring the changes he/she desires start from him/her, not to complain all the time or want to ‘ja-pa’ or waiting for the right moment or opportunity to come, but instead, a patriotic Nigerian creates the right moment or opportunity by making something out of nothing and from every opportunity that comes his/her way. Take for instance, during the COVID time in the country, while some well-to-do and meaningful Nigerians ‘ja-pa’, some others stayed and made billions from the trying and epidemic season.
There is always a silver lining in every cloud. I believe with time, we will all experience a better and refine Nigeria, where Nigerians abroad will be coming back to their fatherland. Nigeria is destined for better days ahead, let us all believe that few years to come, the present situations will change for better .Nothing is permanent in life. Countries that are better than ours and developed today were not as developed like that some years back. It takes time, patience, endurance, dedication, prayers and sacrifices to build a nation.
Nigerian youths who plan to ‘ja-pa’ should note that unplanned and unnecessary ‘ja-pa’ can lead to something more dangerous and worse than what or why they run away from their father land. Don’t “ja-pa” without any vision and mission. It could end your life and ambition.
The present situations in Nigeria should be likened to a road; that has bumps, cracks and obstacles, but in the end, it gets you somewhere. May Nigeria take us all to a blissful and favorable place. A BIG AMEN I MUST SAY!
Aminu Ismail is post-graduate student of English Department, LASU.
