Japa syndrome: NCAC urges youths not to leave Nigeria

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC),has urged Nigerian youths and the general public not to migrate from Nigeria,instead stay behind and contribute to the task of nation building.

The Director General of the NCAC Otunba Runsewe, gave the advice during a one-day programme, themed “Culture, Peace and National Rebirth: An Agenda Setting, organized by the Council, yesterday in Abuja.

Runsewe said the programme is apt and motivated by the need to put the issues of culture and peace in the front burner of national discourse as we seek to reposition our nation on the path of growth and development, in line with the philosophy and objectives of the incoming administration.

He explained that the objective of the agenda setting is for a rebirth of Nigeria .

“To reduce the rate at which our youths migrate from Nigeria and draw attention to the limitless opportunities within among many others”.

Runsewe stated that the sensitization was key considering the alarming rate at which the nation’s cultures are being eroded and substituted by alien practices.

He said: “The disturbing development has also greatly impacted on the youths, as there is a growing feeling of alienation among the vast majority of the youths, manifesting in various forms of restiveness and the internationalization and exhibition of vices that are at variance with our culture.

“Incidences of violent crimes, transgender, the End-SARS protest and the Japa syndrome are clear indications of a youth population that harbours a sense of alienation, exclusion, disillusionment and despair.

“Many of the youths are at a cultural crossroads with a high propensity for anger and violence.”

He said that travelling abroad doesn’t allow for automatic affluence.

“It is our duty to culturally guide the country, our youths are frustrated due to the state of the economy, but it is not enough to travel out of the country to embrace menial jobs when they can stay and be creative to create wealth”.

He said “We need to wake up to this reality and ensure the situation is promptly corrected by the government and parents.”

He appealed to Nigerian leaders at all levels to work as a team to provide the enabling social environment for the nation’s development by preaching peace, living in peace and working together.

Similarly,Managing Consultant/CEO Hadid Event Management,Mrs.Rebecca Ede,” There are many reasons why so some youths think japa is the best option, some think they aren’t employed while others think they are not gainfully employed.

The see some people that have not gone to school showcase there affluent on social media and they too want to be like them not thinking how this people got their wealth”.

She said “ It breaks my heart despite the things we see happening .

“For instance people drowning into seas among many vices and stories, but people still want to japa”.

I appeal to youth to stay back home and look within to the limitless opportunities that we have in the country, we can see that foreigners are coming into our country to tapped into the vast wealth.

Meanwhile, She called on the youths to imbibe the spirit patience and not be in a hurry in life .

Niger NUJ tasks incoming govt to partner journalists

From Yakubu Mustapha

Minna N iger State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Comrade Abu Nmodu has stressed the need for the incoming political leaders to see media as the most potent tool for robust development.

This was contained in a statement issued by Comrade Abu

Nmadu.

It said this is in line with the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, as declared by UNESCO on 3rd May every year.

Nmadu said this day as a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluates press freedom around the world, defends the media from attacks on their independence, and pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

The State chairman of NUJ described the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day, set by UNESCO, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights”.

He posited that freedom of press implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state; and its preservation has already been guaranteed by Section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The NUJ chairman urged all working journalists not to be discouraged by the hazard of the profession or outright opposition against them in the line of duty but to remain resolute to defend the right of the people.

FCT: Residents blast Kwali Chairman over social amenities

By Usman Shuaibu

Some residents in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have scolded the Chairman of the Area Council, Mr. Danladi Chiya for failing to provide basic necessities of life to the people such as potable drinking water, rural electrifications and good roads in the area.

Some of the residents who spoke to Peoples Daily Correspondent in their separate interviews in Kwali, further said that the administration of Chiya had failed to pursue policies and programmes aimed at moving the Area Council to the next level.

They alleged that the Chairman had not been using the monthly subventions enough to provide the gains of democracy for the people who voted in power.

A resident in Kwali Mr Audu Auta said that the leadership of Chiya was yet to impact positively on the lives of the residents in terms of developmental projects at the grassroots level.

Auta expressed with dismay that the administration of the Council’s boss had neglected the people at the grassroots in the area of provision of transformers.

Another resident, Sunday Ikaka, berated the Kwali Chairman led-administration for not rehabilitating some of the dilapidated roads in Kwali and its environs.

Ikaka also tongue-lashed the Chairman of the Council for nonchallant attitude towards the development of the rural dwellers, urging the Chairman to do something urgently to ameliorate the people’s plight at the rural areas.

Similarly, a trader at the Kwali main market, Mrs. Ngozi Silas, said that despite the revenue being generated in the market the Chairman had abandoned the market in the area of upgrading it for a better outlook.

Silas accused the Chairman of playing politics of tribalism among other tribes in the area, pointing out that the Chairman should know that not only Gbagyi people who voted for him.

On his part, an aggrieved APC member who pleaded for anonymity alleged that the Chairman had diverted the Council’s resources to erect a gigantic house in Kwali.

Not left out a civil servant in Kwali Area Council who did not want his name to be mentioned in print, lampooned the Chairman for not providing office materials or equipment in some offices to enhance productivities of the workers.