A motion seeking to stop young Nigerians from leaving the country in search of greener pastures, popularly known as Japa Syndrome has been rejected by the House of Representatives.

A member from Benue State Mr Philips Agbese, sponsored the motion which came under matters of urgent national importance during a plenary session precided by the Speaker Dr Abbas Tajuddeen.

The decision to reject the motion followed a point of order raised by a member from Katsina State Alhaji Sada Soli, challenging the constitutional provisions backing the motion.

Presenting the motion Mr Philips Agbese, said in view of the alarming rate of young Nigerians leaving the nation to seek for greener pastures abroad, there was the need to declare National emergency to minimize the trend.

He explained that statistics have indicated a 40% increase in the number of young Nigerians leaving the nation compared to 2019 while a report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs revealed that 1.7 million international emigration from Nigeria were recorded in 2020 which was a substantial increase from 990,000 gathered in 2010.

Mover of the motion noted that recent Reports by the African polling Institute indicated that 69% of young people would opt to relocate abroad if given the chance.

The lawmaker expressed Concerned that the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the USA, and Canada portends a grave danger for the nation in many ways from Economic to intellectual and Social aspects.

He said, those leaving the country were not just the poor but middle class who possess skills/workforce including Bankers, Lecturers, Health care practitioners, Doctors, Nurses and trained manpower, all of whom were trained in Nigeria.

He advocated for the organisation of a national summit to address the factors causing the problem to prevent Nigeria from falling into crisis in sectors like education and healthcare, thereby making the situation worse.

Speaking against the motion however, a member from Katsina state Alh Sada Soli, argued that the motion contravened the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, which provides the liberty for Nigerian if qualified, normal and has all the grant rights of movement anywhere he wants.

For a member from Borno State Ahmed Jaha, the bill does not seek to stop young Nigerians from relocating abroad but for the urgent need to address the factors causing it.

After a debate, the Speaker Dr Abbas Tajuddeen put the motion to voice vote, after which majority of the members voted to step it down.

The house has adjourned till July 4th, 2023.

COV /TSIBIRI