Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has stated that the opportunities in Nigeria are better than what is obtainable abroad.
In a recent interview with ARISEtv, the former Rivers State Governor emphasized that the country is a land of chances and encouraged citizens to stay rather than depart.
“I have always discouraged those who want to leave the country. I say 9–5? Yes, you can always get a 9–5 job when you leave the country, but you can never get the opportunity you get in Nigeria.
“You can just wake up one day and become a minister in Nigeria. You can just wake up one day and become a governor. It just happens; I don’t know how the country operates.
“So if you’re looking for opportunities, please stay back in Nigeria. If you’re looking for 9–5, safety, and all that, One of my friends said to me, Supposing you’re waiting for an opportunity and they kill you? Well, maybe that’s your destiny.. honestly, the opportunities are here,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi stated that the prospects he spoke to are only available to a small percentage of people.
“You just assumed the opportunities were about being in public office.
“I’m giving that example now. There are about 200 million Nigerians; just assume that you start cooking moi moi and sell it to one million Nigerians for one naira. How much is that? I think that’s about 10 million naira,” he said.
The former minister underlined that tackling the detrimental impact of the ‘japa’ problem in Nigeria necessitates a strategy centered on enhancing governance.
He cited economics, instability, and a lack of job development as causes driving people away, claiming that only the government can fix these issues.
Amaechi, on the other hand, argued that Nigerians cannot complain about suffering and a lack of economic possibilities after voting for their leaders.
“I’m avoiding where you’re going. You can’t discuss the issue of Nigeria without discussing politics. It’s because you have to discuss the issue of the economy. Who manages the economy? The government. You have to discuss the issue of safety and security. Who manages safety and security? The government.
“You have to discuss the issue of the creation of opportunities, the creation of employment, and all that. So, what you can tell is that Nigerians get what they want. Nigerians get what they deserve. You don’t complain after.
“Nigerians at all times have had an opportunity to vote; whatever you voted for is what you deserve, but again, let’s not go into politics,” Amaechi added.
