JAPA, a popular ‘Yoruba’ term in Nigeria used to describe the act of relocating to other countries for greener pastures, has been the top priority of many Nigerians.
While some citizens who relocate to other countries to find better ways of life succeed at it, some others find it challenging and eventually consider it a mistake migrating in the first place.
In recent years, many Nigerians who have fled the country encounter experiences which prove that the economic instability engulfing the country is suffered in most other countries around the world.
In a trending video, popular cleric, Prophetess Olabisi Adamu has cautioned Nigerians desperate to migrate out of the country about how not-so-rosy life is abroad as she recounts from experience, how items have doubled in price abroad just as it is here.
Read also: Japa: 300,000 West African migrants risk lives annually on dangerous routes
She said, “You are the one that thinks your nation is gold, and I think this happens to people that don’t really travel out of the country. If you go to Canada, you hear what Nigerians are going through, you will sit at home.
“Here you can come and say please help me with transport, urgent 2k, over there, nobody sabi you, no work, no pay, you don’t earn a dime, you don’t get a dollar, you are OYO (on your own), if you greet them, your eyes will jam someone’s eye and say hello, all they will do is look at you. I’m like these people are so rude, they don’t greet, so you can’t even beg them for money, but you’re not hearing what is going on over there.”
She explained how much inflation has eaten deep into the global market, saying it does not only happen here in Nigeria.
“There was a box that I bought two years ago, last year, when I went to buy it, it had increased by 15 pounds before I left London, I needed that box again. You know all these lightweight boxes for packing foods, by the time I went there, it had doubled in price in one week, but you think you are the only one, you think it’s only Nigeria that is feeling all of these things, the economic instability is everywhere, everything is expensive everywhere, my friend told me that her shop in Ghana, she pays $4000 a month for a plaza, so she had to cut to rent out to people and you’re here thinking Nigeria is the worse case scenario, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
She emphasized that we are in a time where it is crucial to seek God’s guidance before taking action, a period of obedience.
“You’re in that season where like Isaac, we must wait to hear God before we make moves, otherwise you will waste 10 years of your life and come back and be praying prayers of restoration, we are in that season, where no matter what they are saying, if God says move, you move, where no matter what they say, if God says don’t move an inch, stay in the land. I will bless you here, if you stay, you will see the hand of the Lord, we are in that season where our obedience must be active not passive, our faith must be alive not dead.”
Read also: Japa: New Zealand targets more talents with new visa subcategory for seasonal work
According to Toyyib Adewale Adelodun, a London-based Nigerian, “Unless you are bringing a good amount of cash with you, ‘japa’ or new dispensation doesn’t mean life will change instantly. For up to 2 years I moved here, I couldn’t afford a room of my own. I rarely go out as the budget was extremely tight”.
In a conversation with businessday, Uzonna Michael who is a born Nigerian currently residing in Atlanta, USA, shared a brief experience on some unfriendly experiences in his own case of ‘japa’.
According to him, “I heard a lot about racism but never encountered what it felt like to be a victim, not until I got into the states.
“I have had to work countless shifts just to afford a decent roof over my head which came at a price. Time waits for no one, and punctuality is part of the country’s way of life. So far, I’ve managed to balance it, but it has meant juggling work and school. To me, that’s an achievement, though it leaves me coming home every day completely drained”.
“As an immigrant in a foreign country, you don’t seem important to anyone because you’re not a citizen, so you don’t need to expect things to be easy.”
“Having good times is not really impossible, they only come at a price you must be willing to pay if you really want to survive.
He also shared his encounter with other Nigerians he met there.
He said, “Personally, I’ve noticed that meeting other Nigerians who are willing to help here is like a mirage only except the person or persons involved is a family member.”
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