Goodluck Jonathan has set up a board to generate 3 million jobs in one year for Nigerians to curb brain drain. What type of jobs do they want to create that will keep Nigerians at home? Why are Nigerians flooding out of the nation in the first place? It is not all jobs that require exceptional intellectual or technical dexterity, very many jobs that could keep folks happy do not require rocket science intelligence to execute. I heard the president quoting some figures generated by the national bureau of statistics to justify his projection but I cannot help but conclude the board being set up is only to justify some already concocted hogwash aimed at boosting his non-existent CV for re-election in 2015.
Nigerians who have left the nation's shores are of various shapes and sizes and not all of these migrations can be termed as brain drain. The highly skilled that leave do not necessarily leave because of absence of jobs; they most likely leave because of a host of varying reasons. It could either be a result of grievance with labour laws, insecurity, uncomfortable living conditions, disrespect and perhaps a lack of gratitude for their expertise. A good number do in fact stay on in foreign climes after completed or botched academic pursuits; some do business regularly and a few have just given up on Nigeria due to the perpetual violence and corruption that has crippled the nation.
Doctors, nurses, engineers, scientists among other professionals troop out of Nigeria daily to nations where they are perhaps better valued and are able to raise their children away from the chaos back home. The past weekend was spent visiting family and a friend in a part of the UK where I could not help but observe the significant Nigerian population domiciled in that region. I actually crashed the wedding reception of a Nigerian couple with my friend who told me the bride was a hairdresser who was doing very well with her business. The significant number of mixed race couples at that event convinced me that Nigerians had fully integrated and put their sorrow behind them. What salon job could Elumelu and co create for Nigerian hairdressers or barbers wishing to emigrate to nations where there would be no need to worry about buying fuel, servicing generators and slapping one's face while trying to sleep at night while circulating blood boils in the heat? I passed through the gates at a train station on friday and then on sunday and noticed a young station worker with a name tag on his chest bearing "Omo". It is not really difficult to spot Nigerians or Nigerian born people at these arguably unskilled jobs. The manager of one of the trains I boarded gave his name simple as Joe. I was quite impressed at how well fed and content he looked as he went round to check and validate the tickets of the passengers on board. Will Elumelu and co create such mind settling transportation jobs for Nigerian men seeking for what Joe is apparently enjoying in the UK within one year?
Most Nigerians living in South Africa, the Americas, Europe and even Ghana will most likely not trade whatever they are hustling with in those places for a free return ticket back home with a few added goodies. Most Nigerians would rather be treated as second class citizens where they are as long as basic amenities are never lacking in their abodes than risk a return to darkness, violence, insecurity or the shame of being trodden upon by fellow citizens. Talking with other people about Nigeria's mess alone is enough to raise one's blood pressure to near stroke levels if one is not already there from the harsh conditioning faced everyday. If Nigerians abroad will not exchange this chance to live beyond 45 years of age, why does Jonathan think that the offer of clerical jobs in banks, politically oriented positions or a small stipend to start off a small business would retard brain drain? I do not want to be seen as the ultimate pessimist when it comes to Nigerian affairs and the incumbent's in particular; it is just clear to me that he is either not serious enough about addressing the needs of the populace or does not in fact understand the rudiments and responsibilities of the office he occupies. Opportunities abound in Nigeria but the people have been robbed of their confidence, honour and dignity. A country where foreigners are treated like royalty even if devoid of grey matter, where public servants and politicians assume they are doing the people huge favours by occupying such positions cannot be sustainable.
Nigeria is so bad she forces her best brains to seek sanity elsewhere; the people who call this brain drain that needs halting never deem it fit to force their way out too. I wonder why...Shouldn't they extend whatever feeds their stamina to remain within the shores to every single Nigerian? What they do must definitely not require any cerebrospinal fluid to lubricate. Should the brains waiting to be flushed down the drains not choose to flush out the committee and board setting machines instead on or before 2015?
It will surely take more than just 3 million jobs in one year to halt any impending brain leak. A proper president would definitely be a good start.
joa
10-11/09/2014
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