Gov Otti Reveals What Can Stop ‘JAPA’ Syndrome In Nigeria

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called on leaders in the country to develop programmes and policies that will throw up opportunities comparable to the ones that attract Nigerians to foreign lands.

Naija News reports that Governor Otti, made the plea at his country home in Umuihim, Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA when he received the executives of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Otti said creating an enabling environment and job opportunities are the only ways to control the mass exodus of Nigerians to foreign lands for jobs.

According to the Governor, ‘JAPA syndrome’ had become a reality which could not even be legislated against because it was a case of supply and demand.

He said, “Once your economy and your system don’t look conducive or don’t look attractive or if other economies are looking better than yours, they will go there, no matter what you do.

“So, the only response you have is to create an enabling environment, create jobs for them and encourage them to stay back.”

Otti also approved a land for the building of Bankers Training Institute in Abia State, as requested by the members of the institute.

In an address to the Governor, the Public Relations Officer of CIBN, Kelechi Adiele, thanked Otti for creating an enabling economic and security environment for the banking industry in the state, which made the banks in Abia resume Mondays’ operations without fear.

He said, “For instance, prior to your taking over as the Governor of Abia State, banks in Abia State were not working on Mondays.

“This had affected negatively both the turnover of these banks and even the personal security of bankers who more or less had to sneak into the office on Mondays, but today, we move freely even on Mondays.”