July 22, (THEWILL) – Concerned over the illegal mass exodus, popularly known as ‘The Japa Syndrome’ by some Nigerians to foreign countries and the very horrible challenges and risks surrounding their travel and survival opportunities in those foreign lands, Nigeria’s foremost, independent and currently front-line Pidgin English Language Radio Station – WAZOBIA 95.1 FM, Lagos, recently partnered with some key stakeholders to raise more public awareness on both the positive and negative implications inherent in Nigerians embarking on of these foreign trips without proper information and adequate preparations.
According to the organisers, the programme also helped to provide valuable information to Nigerians to safeguard the travelling community. Speaking at the event, Ace Radio Presenter, Uzo Ododooba, Convener of the event and also a Family and Relationship Coach, pointed out that some persons see the ‘Japa’ culture in Nigeria today as a new Nigerian dream, for those Nigerians hoping to escape from the increasing hardships in the country, while seeking genuine visas, and where they fail, resort to irregular means to migrate.
She said many have been scammed in the process and have lost hard-earned money, while a few, who eventually succeeded in leaving Nigeria’s shores, have been subjected to all manners of inhumane, degrading treatments, while others had unconsciously sent themselves to their early graves.
“It is particularly a harrowing experience for young Nigerian women who are trafficked into Europe as they end up being forced into prostitution by gangs of criminals who manipulate these young women and exploit them for illicit gains. Organ harvesting, sleeping with animals, and trafficking of hard drugs, are other untold horrors they have been made to pass through.
“The young boys are not left out. Allegedly, they are faced with or forced to accept drugs and other forms of inhuman treatment, among others. Sometimes, most of these persons above did not pass through the right channels nor did they have genuine documents and were deceived.”
She emphasised that “if you go through legal means, follow due process, sometimes it might be fast or slow during the processing, but eventually when approved, they are welcomed to those dream foreign countries with ease. According to her, “This maiden edition of the initiative by the radio station is a dream come true, as the group plans to use the opportunity to further educate, assist families, students, others to avoid these bitter and agonising experiences…this platform will provide and assist persons with qualified and genuine documents to reach their dreams countries after due process.”
Earlier, Mr Innocent Offiong, a Certified Travel Consultant and also an Education Expert, advised that “if you are going to these countries for education, work, vocational skills acquisition or family relocation, you should endeavour to get these relevant documents – a trade certificate, International Passport, school admission letters, proof of funds documents and an approval of Certificates from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your originating country. He appealed to all to give authentic information and consult a credible and transparent travel agent if they cannot do it themselves.
“Anyone who wants to leave the country should not think that once you ‘Japa’, problems will cease to exist. Do a lot of research, and use the Internet to learn about the country you wish to travel to and all the permit conditions required of you. You need to plan and be well-informed. You should not feel rushed or pressured to leave because there are obligations you need to be ready for once you leave. As an immigrant, getting a visa is one step and acceptance at the border of your host country is another thing.
“So, be mentally prepared to do exactly what they granted you a visa to do and think of what you want to achieve before you leave Nigeria.” According to him, he has helped over 30 families travel abroad for different reasons and to achieve their dreams with 85 percent success stories. He stressed that “we make clients and families stay happy, we encourage them to be truthful, honest and responsible in their activities and with all documentation. A happy family is a happy society”, he noted.
“Also speaking at the event, Lagos Programmes Manager, WAZOBIA FM, Mr Uche Nwaneri, disclosed that “as a family Radio and lifestyle station, we are concerned about saving families from financially collapsing scams from dubious travelling elements, and untimely deaths, financial abuse, extortion, emotional blackmails, and others. Nwaneri revealed that he has travelled to over 19 African countries and seen people suffering from different harrowing experiences and some of the friends, families and persons, who decided that life is greener on the other side of Nigeria, end up regretting their decisions or dying.
According to him, not all that glitters is gold. Sadly, a lot of people have been deceived and lured into travelling because of ignorance, gullibility, vulnerability and lack of research on travelling information and no background checks of travel agents. He regretted that eventually after all this training, some will still fall prey to the bad traveling agents that will totally deceive them.
He observed that foreigners are coming to Nigeria in droves despite our so-called huge challenges. “Where there is a problem, there is money… all you need to do is to look for solutions to these issues. Nwaneri cautioned that sometimes, Nigeria might be better despite the hardships than the bitter and harrowing experiences faced abroad when they pass through shortcuts.
Also speaking at the event, this time a Nigerian Nurse – Madam Blessing said “Having a medical background, furthering my studies in the United Kingdom, I knew that there would be limitless opportunities abroad for me. The better quality of life and security there also influenced my decision to move. I learnt that all my documents should be genuine and authentic, accountability, transparency, and truthfulness are vital, no shortcuts.”
For Mr Emmanuel, an Aluminum Fabrication expert and an event decorator, “I plan to leave Nigeria so I could get access to better vocational training and opportunities in the US, to align with my personal and professional goals. He disclosed that he is grateful for this eye-opening travelling enlightenment seminar.
Mr Francis Anyaegbu, a computer software Engineer, laundry man and participant, said he will advise any Nigerian or Nigerians seeking greener pastures to other countries to think twice before they embark on such “fruitless and sometimes illegal and perilous journeys because the decent jobs are scarce and survival in Europe without a decent job is really challenging.”
I personally appreciate the radio station, Uzo, the Presenter, and her other resource persons for the Japa seminar.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
