The Japa conversation: is it better to leave Nigeria or stay back?

Hello people, Happy New Month!!!

We are finally in the ember months which often signifies that the year is fast coming t an end. We are officially about to enter the end of the year party season and all the exciting things that accompany the ember months. 

As is our tradition here, we bring you four stories that caught our attention in the social space every week. And, this week is no different.

Let’s get to it. 

The Japa conversation

Earlier this week, a video of a Thé France Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatman surfaced online. While attending the 2022 edition of the Youth in Business Forum, he asked the moderator the definition of Japa. 

Japa is the local parlance that has been used to describe the mass migration that has been going on in Nigeria from since many years back now. 

According to a report by Statista, in 2021, the migration rate in Nigeria stood at -0.29 per 1,000 population. This means that 0ne in three friends have left Nigeria in the past 5 years. With time, the number of people leaving Nigeria got slightly higher than that of those entering the country, especially between 2000 and 2021.

Yes, JAPA, is the word that has become the anthem among the younger Nigerian population who feel the country is frustrating and are desperate to escape overseas where they believe better opportunities are readily available.

So, this week on the social space, a conversation on whether to Japa or not resurfaced and a lot of people came up with different takes.

Most believed that Japa is the surest bet for the teeming young population in Nigeria since a good majority are talented and hardworking but bemoan the environment in Nigeria.

And, some others believe that Japa is not a solution to the many problems in the country. Even when they leave, Japa will not solve the country’s problems for the family members they have left behind.

Some others, mostly industry leaders see the current Japa trend as an opportunity for those who have remained behind who will have access to more opportunities that the highly skilled leaving have made available. 

What do you think? Are you team japa or team remain? 

Niyi Akimolayan calls out Don Jazzy 

Filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan has complained about music executive, Don Jazzy’s new signees “always singing about sex”. 

In a tweet he shared, Akinmolayan stated that the fact that the young artists singing mostly about sex doesn’t sit well with him  He added that sometimes you can tell they don’t even know what they are singing about.

Akinmolayan tweeted; 

“This thing where Don Jazzy gets young artists and most of the song is about sex and sex makes me feel somehow sha. I don’t know. It’s all sex sex sex. Sometimes u can tell they don’t even know what they are singing about. But what do I know? The music industry is rich as u say.”

What do you guys think about this? Do you agree with Niyi or do you think he’s just chasing clout? 

Moving on…

Rumour has it that some folks in the Nigerian entertainment space have been brought in for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Nengi and others questioned by the EFCC

The rumour mill has been on overdrive this week with allegations that the EFCC has confiscated Nengi’s house & car.

Even though she said she decided to spoil herself with both, EFCC’s investigation showed both were bought & gifted to her by the operator of a Ponzi Scheme, Diongoli, who’s being prosecuted for eloping with “investors” fund worth N1.2billion.”

The alleged fraudster, Micheal Diongoli who was arrested for fraud has been rumoured to be the bankroller of Nengi’s, Nancy Isime and others in the industry. 

According to rumours, Nancy Isime didn’t have anything seized from her as her lawyers wrote to the EFCC stating that the suspect was a sponsor of Nancy Isime’s show. Actor, Yomi black and Actress, Onyi Alex were rumoured to also be involved in the case.

This is generally a sordid affair and a prime example of why one should be careful of the company they keep. Be careful of the company you keep especially if you are not sure of their source of income. Do not take free gifts or free meals as nothing is ever really free.

For our final bit of news, we try to make it some good news…

Gospel Singer Tim Godfrey shares his testimony

Popular gospel singer Tim Godfrey best known for his song Nara Ekele, earlier this week took to his Instagram to share how God healed him of paralysis in the post he shared; 

This picture right here was when I was admitted to the hospital. It started with me feeling some pain in my back, then a hellish pain in my arms

“I went for an MRI and the scientists told me that my bones were 20 years older than my age—over 60 years old when I’m in my 40s. They also told me that my spinal cord disc had shifted and all these other complicated things were happening to me at the same time.”

“I was always in pain. Sometimes I would hold my hand to my face and cry so badly. They told me that I had overstretched my body and a lot of other evil reports.” He added: “But as the song says, when there is a chance for evil, God turns it for good. I went home after some treatments and intensive prayers believing that I am healed and it is so. “Right now, I’m really grateful to God for the gift of healing. I imagine the plan of the enemy was that I’ll be paralysed, but God turned it around.”

Tim Godfrey shared the testimony to encourage people to listen to his new song ” turned it around”. this testimony was followed by congratulations and prayers from friends and fans. 

That’s all we have on this week’s roundup. Until next week!

Read also: https://technext24.com/2022/08/26/pastor-jerry-eze-number-turned-40-prayer/