GEJ to Nigerians: “You Don’t Need to Japa, We Must Build This Country Together”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to remain committed to building the nation rather than seeking opportunities abroad. Speaking over the weekend at an event in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, he emphasized the need for collective responsibility in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

The event, which marked the commissioning of the Soybean Plant and Refinery of the CSS Group and the birthday celebration of Prof. John Kennedy Opara, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), was attended by several dignitaries. Among them were former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma; Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri; former Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen; and Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by his deputy.

Jonathan cautioned against the increasing trend of emigration, popularly known as “Japa,” stressing that the countries Nigerians are moving to were built through dedication and effort. “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,” he said.

Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, echoed Jonathan’s message, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s potential. “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,” he stated.

However, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, highlighted Nigeria’s economic difficulties, particularly the rising cost of food. He warned that the level of hunger in the country was dangerously high and called for urgent government intervention. “The level of hunger in Nigeria is too high due to very high food price inflation,” Adesina said. “Accelerated efforts are needed to expand food production, lower the price of food commodities, eliminate food import dependency, and support local farmers in Nigeria.”

He noted that during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture under Jonathan’s administration, a bag of rice cost N8,000, compared to the current price of over N100,000. Adesina stressed that Nigeria must implement bold policies to support farmers, develop agricultural value chains, and create incentives for agribusinesses.

To address these issues, Adesina revealed that the AfDB and its partners are supporting the Nigerian government with a $538 million initiative to develop special agro-industrial processing zones in eight states: Cross River, Imo, Oyo, Ogun, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory. He added that a second phase, with a financing target of $1 billion, would extend the project to all remaining 28 states.

Former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma also emphasized Nigeria’s significance to Africa’s progress, stating, “If positive things happen in Nigeria, we are happy because Africa can only get it right when Nigeria gets it right.”