By Fola Ojo
On this page last week, I expressed the ravaging hunger sweeping through the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. In my written thoughts, I also mentioned the maddening and sickening inability of the Nigerian government to mitigate and assuage the scourge. It is a known doctrine of life that where you find hunger, there’s anger as a corresponding response from the people. Nigerians are angry. Among other frustrating factors, they are angry because they are hungry. Nigerians are not just hungry for food; they are for good government, for a health care system that works, for liberty and freedom that are not susceptible to bruising banditry and senseless killings of the innocent, and they are for life and life more abundantly. It is an understatement that there’s palpable tension all over Nigeria! Prevalent trials and tribulations have brewed much discontentment. Too many talents and treasures have been wasted and are still wasting away. That informs why many people, the highs-and-the-mighties; the lowly and the poor are angry and finding their ways out of a nation of plenty, beaucoup resources and wealth. I was touching up on this treatise when I received the following message from a friend in Nigeria:
“Lecturers are leaving Nigeria in droves! Doctors are leaving. Lawyers are leaving. Bank professionals are leaving. Footballers and other sports professionals are leaving. But politicians are not leaving. They only go on holiday and return. Politicians are the most patriotic Nigerians.”
It is understandable when a young man after graduation from University remains unemployed for five years and later decides to seek means of livelihood outside of Nigeria. It is understandable when young and restless boys and girls surge to make adventurous moves in lands unknown. I was in my late 20s when I did same. It is understandable when a man of means who unfortunately is hunkered down by illness and sickness seeks respite abroad. But the recent daily outflow of Nigerians is different from what we have seen in the past. It should be a source of concern to everybody. Allow me to share my personal encounters with a few people in my orbit just a week ago in Nigeria.
My friend is a big name who works in the Nigerian presidency. He called me last week while I was in Nigeria requesting some information regarding how he can settle his wife and kids who will be leaving Lagos in a few months for the US. When this present regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, rounds up in May 2023, he will be joining them. I wasn’t surprised. I get similar calls frequently. But I still asked him why. He said there is so much uncertainty for his family, especially his children after he leaves office. My friend is financially comfortable. There are good but expensive schools in Nigeria. But living in Nigeria today is beyond money. It is about quality of life and bright hope for tomorrow. He was not the only one who sought counsel.
A famous anchor on a major television station, a young man I will call my son, also told me his wife and kids had already left for a Southern State in America. He confirmed that he will be out to join them toward 2023 Christmas. My brother-in-law is a medical doctor in Lagos. I was told that at any moment, he will be on his way out to the United Kingdom with his wife and kids. That will be their home for a long time.
