Richard Osanaiye, the Lead Pastor of the Glorious Liberty Church (GLC) Global, has urged the Federal Government to empower young people to start businesses or create jobs as part of its efforts to stop young men from leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
Young men would continue to leave Nigeria to “japa,” according to Osanaiye, unless the government provides them with such opportunities.
Among young people in Nigeria, particularly those looking to leave the country, the slang term “Japa,” which means to emigrate in Yoruba, has become widespread.
The young clergyman noted in a conversation with reporters at the church in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that economic survival continues to be a major factor in youth migration out of the nation and into criminal activity.
He gave a speech at the church’s “Gathering of the Eagles 2022” conference, which drew over 2,000 young people interested in learning how to start their own businesses.
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According to Osanaiye, other problems would also be resolved if the unemployment problem was resolved.
According to him, there aren’t enough jobs for young people, which is why they are “japaing,” he said. I impart to my followers the knowledge that a man’s first priority is his ability to survive economically. People steal because they can’t support their families and themselves. Human trafficking, kidnapping, and other crimes also result when people are unable to support their families and themselves.
“If the unemployment issue can be resolved, other issues will be resolved. Giving people jobs or giving them the tools they need to get jobs or start their own businesses is thus one of the only ways to address the “Japa” issue.
I don’t advise youths to “japa,” he said in response to a question about whether he supports youth migration from Nigeria to other countries. Youth should maximise their potential, in my opinion. You are not limited by your surroundings, in my experience as a man of God, but by the choices you make.
“God knows He made you for Nigeria; if He didn’t, He should have made you for the US, the UK, or wherever He wanted. Not that I believe those who have left the country should not have done so, but I think their decision to do so was motivated by a sense that there weren’t enough opportunities available to them. But we’ve created opportunities for ourselves and we’re developing structures and values for ourselves, so that when the people who left look at us in the future, they will realise that we have a better life than they do.
