When faced with challenges, we are told to be concerned but not worried. Why? Pastor Taiwo Odukoya explained – concern, while not denying the existence of the problem, focuses on the solution and not the problem but worry focuses more on the problem than the solution. Nothing can be more profound.
Like we experienced in the ‘80s and up till the early ‘90s, when the effect of austerity measure began to bite, the productive youths are leaving Nigeria in droves again.
Someone asked me why are the productive youths in Nigeria leaving Nigeria? In my silent response, I tried to apply the “concerned but not worried” maxim but it occurred to me that I will be denying the truth if I say I’m not worried. Why? The solution to the problem on our hands is not visible to the naked eye.
It is ironic that not minding the skyrocketing exchange rate, Nigerian parents defy the odds to insist on education tourism abroad for their children. Even the best graduating students from the best universities in Nigeria ask for compensation from their parents to do their masters degree abroad in order to add prestige and credibility to their curriculum vitae. Shouldn’t we be worried?
There are four categories of productive youths in Nigeria today that I know. The first is those who have left, the second is those about to leave and the third is those who are waiting for the opportunity to leave. There is a fourth category who will stake all they have to build Nigeria but their hope is waning.
The scarier part for me is that the gainfully employed, who are more economically and socially stable, constitute the greater majority of those leaving the shores of this country for better opportunities abroad.
This government claims to be the best of all seasons but Nigerians are leaving Nigeria. Even the motivational speakers who would usually rekindle the hope of young Nigerians now motivate from outside the borders.
If we lose our best brains to this confusion, who will paddle this canoe? The ship of state is floating in the middle of the high sea but the supposed ‘paddlers’ are taking a walk. This ship may sink.
Akin Oluwadare Jnr
05 July 2021
