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Prof. Oyeweso Labels ‘Japa’ Syndrome As Modern Day Form Of Slavery

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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

 

NEWS

N1.7trn Loan: Atiku Blames NASS For Worsening Nigeria’s Debt Burden

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Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s plan to secure an additional N1.7 trillion loan through Eurobonds to cover a shortfall in the 2024 budget, describing the borrowing as unsustainable and harmful to Nigeria’s economy.

In a statement shared on Thursday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of burdening Nigerians with debt while failing to provide clear answers about the country’s fiscal challenges.

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He also faulted the National Assembly for enabling what he called a “voracious appetite” for loans.

The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed alarm over a recent World Bank report ranking Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), calling the development troubling.

“The recent report released by the World Bank, showing Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), is very concerning,” Atiku stated.

He raised further concerns about the government’s decision to benchmark the proposed loan at an exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate being over N1,600.

“What makes this particular loan proposal even more concerning is that it is benchmarked at the exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, whereas the current exchange rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria stands at over N1,600 to 1 USD,” he said.

Atiku questioned the need for additional borrowing, given the government’s earlier claims of record-high revenue collection.

“In July this year, Tinubu boasted that the FIRS and Customs under his watch had collected all-time high revenues to finance the budget. Why are they still borrowing?” he said

He accused the government of a lack of transparency, describing the borrowing spree as detrimental to Nigerians already struggling under economic hardship.

“There is something that they are not telling Nigerians, even as they are being crushed by a combination of their failed trial-and-error policies and loan rackets.”

Atiku also referenced a report by BudgIT, a budget monitoring group, which criticized the 2024 budget for its inefficiencies.

He alleged that corruption, rather than infrastructure or development needs, was driving the government’s borrowing decisions.

“These loans are powered by corruption and not for infrastructure and development needs. This voracious appetite for humongous loans is deeply concerning,” he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s financial history, Atiku lamented the return to significant foreign indebtedness just years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration cleared the country’s debt.

“It is agonizing to see that just a few years after the Obasanjo administration took us out of foreign indebtedness, we are today back at the top spot in the same conundrum,” he stated.

He called for a more cautious approach to borrowing, urging the government to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency to avoid worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.

 

 

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International News

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.

In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”

READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt  Chairman By Police

The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.

The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.

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NEWS

Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.

The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.

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Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.

He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.

In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.

“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.

“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”

The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.

“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”

He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.

“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.

The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.

 

 

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