Amaechi also blamed the high rate of crime in Nigeria on the economy which is too small to accommodate everyone
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has advised Nigerian youths seeking relocation from the country for greener pastures to reconsider the move.
He gave the advice recently while featuring on a programme on Arise TV, where he counseled them against the ‘Japa Syndrome‘, saying they have better opportunities if they stay back.
The former Rivers State Governor also claimed that there are more juicy opportunities for those staying back in Nigeria than those seeking greener pastures in other countries.
According to him, Nigerian youths who remain in the country can end up as ministers and governors, while those who left can only guarantee better “9 to 5” jobs.
Speaking during the chat, Amaechi said: “I’ve always discouraged the people who want to leave the country. I say, if you want a 9 to 5, yes you can always get that when you leave the country, but you can never get the opportunity we have in Nigeria.
“You can just wake up one day, you become a minister and you can just wake up one day and you become a governor. It just happens. So, if you are looking for opportunities, please stay back in Nigeria but if you are looking for a 9 to 5, then you can go.”
The All Progressives Party (APC) chieftain went on to blame the country’s economy for the ravaging crimes in Nigeria.
In his words, the economy is too small and cannot accommodate everybody, leading to robbery, kidnapping and other crimes.
“If all of us start working in Shell now, there would be no time to go and rob or kill because you leave at 6am and by the time you come back at 6pm, you will be tired, so, my advice to them is to get your degree if you can and if you can’t, well, I am lucky,” he added..