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Prof. Oyeweso Labels ‘Japa’ Syndrome As Modern Day Form Of Slavery
Professor Siyan Oyeweso, from the Department of History and International Studies at Osun State University, has referred to Japa Syndrome as modern day slavery that poses challenges in cessation due to specific reasons.
He conveyed this perspective during the 2023 Summit held by the Centre for General Nigerian Studies (CGNS) at Lagos State University (LASU).
The summit, themed “Diaspora Gains and the Questions of Modern-Day Slavery in Africa,” featured Prof. Oyeweso discussing “From Trans-Saharan Slave Trade to ‘Checking out,’ Sapa, Japa, Japada: Interrogating Issues in Brain Drain, Brain Gain, and Modern Slavery,” where he emphasized the complexities associated with the subject.
According to him: “Diaspora gain and modern-day slavery are two burning fundamental issues and great ills that have continued to beset and shape global human and state relations.
“As the movement of people across national and international borders remains one of the core aspects of the global socio-economic and political value chain, it has become difficult, if not impossible, to take the issue of diaspora and modern-day slavery lightly, given its implications for sustainable growth and development on the African continent.
“This presentation is an academic and practical inquiry into the most urgent problems affecting Africa in the micro and macro space of global population movement. No topic illustrates Africa’s current position in the international system better than the one on issues of slavery, migration, and diaspora. Africa’s history with the wider world is replete with these three fundamental themes.
“The concept and practice of slavery are not only attached to African history, but also the relationship between Africa and the West (the Global North) under the grip of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and colonialism reshaped the frontiers and practices of slave trade and slavery, which is now assuming a new dimension.”
Continuing his discussion, Professor Oyeweso emphasized the timeliness of the topic, pointing out its significant implications for population movement, Africans in the Diaspora, and the execution of crucial programs and policies.
He stressed the urgency to eliminate forced labor, eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking, and ensure the prohibition and elimination of the most egregious forms of child labor.
Furthermore, Oyeweso highlighted a notable observation that many ‘japa’ professionals, including radiographers, nurses, and ICT support staff in banks, have departed, contributing to ICT challenges within Nigerian banks due to their absence.
Explaining the context of ‘japa’ and ‘sapa,’ Oyeweso said, “Japa is a continental issue that depicts outward migration of Africans, while sapa is used to describe socio-economic and livelihood hardship that pushes millions of Africans on the move.”
In her statement, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Vice Chancellor of LASU, highlighted the urgency of addressing the significant departure of young Nigerians from the country.
She issued a warning to those contemplating such journeys, urging them to opt for legal pathways and ensure they acquire all essential documents to avert potential pitfalls and prevent the risk of becoming stranded overseas.
“I saw a video few days ago of how some people who moved to Canada were living practically in the open. In severe weather condition. That was because they did not possess the necessary papers for them to get a good start to life over there.
“If our young ones won’t want to stay here to help build the country, they should ensure that they have all the necessary documents before going so that they won’t get there and feel frustrated,” she added
The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has disclosed that the Federal Government will soon issue a directive mandating all government agencies and parastatals to accept corps members posted to them under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Olawande addressed concerns over the rejection of corps members despite the government’s recent decision to lift restrictions on their deployment to private sector organizations.
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He said, “Let them post them first, then we would tackle the rejection. In part of the memo we sent to the NYSC, we clearly stated that there is no barrier. Before now, there was a barrier that corps members could not be posted to certain places.
“Banks come and take them now. If you don’t have experience in banking, how do you want to know that you are good at accounting or whatever? This is also part of how you should learn whatever you studied.”
Olawande revealed that the ministry plans to submit a memo to President Bola Tinubu, requesting an executive order to compel all government agencies and parastatals to accept corps members assigned to them.
“It is a process; we can’t do everything at once. The one in our capacity, we have thrown it out. So, on the barrier, we are also waiting. I know about that too. We will work, and that is why teamwork is good,” the minister added.
Biztellers reports that the Federal Government on November 19, 2024, lifted a longstanding restriction that limited corps members’ postings to public sector institutions.
This policy change now permits the deployment of corps members to private organizations, including banks and oil companies, to broaden their professional exposure.
Olawande also addressed concerns about the delay in implementing the new N77,000 monthly allowance for corps members. While confirming the increase, he assured that the process is nearing completion.
“It is a process. When the government increases so and so, it will follow a process. We are in the process; very soon they will see it. It is not rocket science.
“It has been increased; nobody is saying it has not been increased. But the implementation is in process. And very soon, we are at the tip of it, it is going to start, and we will implement it perfectly,” he stated.
The minister’s remarks come as the government intensifies efforts to address challenges within the NYSC program and enhance the overall experience of corps members, ensuring their contributions to both public and private sectors are maximized.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced a significant drop in Nigeria’s unemployment rate, which fell to 4.3% in the second quarter of 2024, down from 5.3% in the first quarter.
The data was revealed in the Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) report for Q2 2024, released on Monday.
The report highlighted improvements across several labor market indicators.
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The labor force participation rate among the working-age population rose to 79.5% in Q2 2024, compared to 77.3% in Q1.
Similarly, the employment-to-population ratio climbed to 76.1%, an increase of 2.9 percentage points from the 73.2% recorded in the first quarter.
On a year-on-year basis, however, the employment-to-population ratio saw a slight decline from 77.1% in Q2 2023.
The NBS also noted a reduction in the combined unemployment and time-related underemployment rate, which fell to 13% in Q2 2024 from 15.3% in Q1.
Urban vs. Rural Unemployment
A closer look at the data revealed disparities in urban and rural unemployment rates.
The unemployment rate in urban areas was 5.2% in Q2 2024, nearly double the 2.8% recorded in rural areas.
Youth and Education Employment Metrics
The youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) stood at 6.5% in Q2 2024, while unemployment among individuals with secondary education was slightly higher at 7.6%.
The report also showed that 12.5% of youth were not in education, employment, or training (NEET), with a higher proportion of females than males in this category.
Informal Sector Employment
Informal employment remained dominant in the Nigerian labor market, accounting for 93% of jobs. Additionally, 3.7% of the working-age population was engaged in subsistence agriculture.
Time-Related Underemployment Declines
The time-related underemployment rate dropped to 9.2% in Q2 2024 from 10.6% in the previous quarter, marking continued progress in addressing labor underutilization.
Nigeria’s former Senate President, Abubakar Saraki has eulogised his political ally, Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who attained 78 years on Monday.
The former governor of Kwara State took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Monday to laud the political strides of the Adamawa born political stalwart.
In his view, Atiku is “a compassionate servant of the people whose lifelong dedication to the nation’s progress and unity has earned him the admiration of Nigerians across the globe”.
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Saraki wrote, “His Excellency, Alhaji @Atiku Abubakar, stands as a compassionate servant of the people whose lifelong dedication to the nation’s progress and unity has earned him the admiration of Nigerians across the globe.
“As he marks his 78th birthday today, my family and I join all Nigerians in extending our warmest wishes for a very happy birthday. We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) continues to bless him with good health, strength, and wisdom to sustain his invaluable service to our nation. Ameen.”
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