The Department of Religion and Peace Studies, Lagos State University, has called on Nigerian youths to build the country rather than emigrating.
It also said religious practices could help combat the brain drain otherwise known as “Japa” syndrome ravaging the country.
This was made known during the departmental lecture Series 1, with the theme: ‘A Theological Perspective to the Japa Syndrome of Nigerian Professionals to the Foreign World’ held at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre at LASU, Ojo, on Monday.
The department offered religious perspectives to curbing the exodus amongst youths in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, a professor of Theology, Dapo Asaju, said young professionals of various expertises had left the country seeking greener pastures abroad.
He mentioned that if Japa was not done out of the will of God, it could turn out bad.
Asaju said, “Japa could become dangerous for Nigerians if they misbehave the way they do in the country at the moment.
“Nigerians are now popular for corruption, nepotism, fraud, Internet crimes, ritual killings and drug trafficking.”
The professor advised that Nigerians should explore peaceful efforts to engage with government to enhance change.
Also, the acting Head of Department, Kuponu Selome, stated that Japa could be seen as a manifestation of the biblical concept of exile.
He said, “Just as the Israelites were forced to migrate from their homeland to foreign lands, many Nigerians today are compelled to leave their homes in search of better opportunities.”
Selome concluded that theological practices could curb Japa syndrome and the youth had a duty of building the country.
Also speaking, the Postgraduate Coordinator of the department, Sidiq Uthman, said Nigerian youths should live by their religious ethics wherever they were.
He noted, “Wherever Nigerians are traveling to, there is a need to protect the image of the country and remember there is no place like home.
“They shouldn’t see Japa as the end, because the development of their country lies in their hands.”
