Former President Goodluck Jonathan urges Nigerians not to leave the country in large numbers in search of better opportunities abroad, as he believes that Nigeria’s challenges cannot be overcome if its citizens continue to do so.
He encourages Nigerians to stay positive and hopeful despite the economic and security crises, expressing confidence that the country can overcome these obstacles.
Jonathan made these remarks during a recent event in Nasarawa State, where he attended the commissioning of a Soybean Plant and Refinery and the birthday celebration of Prof. John Kennedy Opara.
Jonathan said the countries Nigerians have been running to, were built by people, hence the need to stop the “Japa” trend.
He said, “You don’t need to Japa. Those countries you are running to were built by people. We must build this country together, and invest in it so that the youths can get jobs. We must not run away from our responsibilities. This country belongs to all of us, and we must not abandon it.”
Similarly, Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri, said, “There is hope in Nigeria. So those who want to Japa, please, don’t Japa. Nigeria is a blessed country. If we all key into what the private sector is doing, no one will Japa.”
The event was attended by former President of Sierra-Leon, Ernest Bai Koroma; Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri; former governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade; former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by his deputy, among many others.
