Nollywood actor Wale Ojo has voiced his concern over the significant number of Nigerians migrating abroad in search of greener pastures.
During an interview, the actor expressed his vision for a Nigeria where citizens are not inclined to relocate overseas (Japa). He emphasised that despite spending years abroad, his affection for Nigeria remained steadfast.
“I have a lot of aspirations. Over the years it would have been extremely easy for me not to come to Nigeria at all. I could easily have stayed in the United States or United Kingdom, or Germany or even Russia. And I know I would have been okay doing what I do there. But I love Nigeria, and I will always love Nigeria no matter what,” Wale Ojo said.
Addressing the “Japa” trend in Nigeria, he said the situation is embarrassing.
“And I have a lot of visions for Nigeria. And that vision is one that encompasses a country where everybody doesn’t want to ‘japa’. The ‘japa’ mentality I think is embarrassing. I think it’s unfortunate, you know where doctors think they go and do their stuff elsewhere and whereas when I go to the United States or go anywhere, Nigerians are applauded for their ingenuity,” the actor explained.
He stressed that regardless of the many challenges in Nigeria, he plans to be a part of the solution, a situation where his dreams come to reality.
“When you will come home there are many problems, I want to be a part of the solution; I don’t want to be talking about the problem I want to be a part of the solution. I put a lot of things in place to bear the solution if the government wants to engage with the creative industry they need to come and talk to people like us because we have a vision for the country; we don’t do ‘follow-follow.’”