The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has voiced her concerns about Nigerians migrating to developed countries for jobs they refuse to do at home.
Her remarks came during a courtesy visit by three Lagos senators – Adetokunbo Abiru, Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni, and Ranti Idiat Adebule – at the State House in Abuja.
In a widely circulated video, Remi Tinubu highlighted the issue of educated Nigerians opting for menial jobs abroad, such as driving taxis, while leaving their families behind.
She criticized the trend of Nigerians migrating to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, where they often end up performing jobs they had previously rejected in Nigeria.
The First Lady emphasized the importance of Nigerians supporting each other domestically, emphasizing that while the government cannot solve all societal problems, those who are rich should assist the less privileged for societal advancement.
She emphasized the need for Nigerians to redirect resources towards helping their communities instead of lavish expenditures, citing biblical principles of aiding the less fortunate.
Remi Tinubu said, “Look at all those people saying they are going to Japa, they go there. What work are you going to do? You know, work that you refused to do at home where you have loved ones, you now end up to go and do there. With all their education, they’re driving cabs, but they won’t drive cabs here.”
“Nigerians, we can help each other [sic], the rate we are doing parties and all that, why can’t we use the money to help your neighbours, until we can really get on our feet? And those are the things we have to look at. It’s not that the government has to begin to give food to everybody, by asking…
“You know I believe in social development and social investment for people who truly need it. And, in the Bible, we even talk about Jesus saying the poor you will always have in the land, and it’s for people whom God has blessed to help the poor.
“Now you don’t even know who are the poor. If they don’t ride a car, they will say they are poor. If you don’t have your own home, they will say they are poor.”
The First Lady also urged the senators present to prioritize legislative actions aimed at tackling societal challenges, particularly focusing on security issues.
“So, you know there are a lot of things that you lawmakers would work upon, especially that of the security. I want you to take it to heart. It is really very important,” she added.
See the video below:
Video: Nigerians relocating abroad to take up jobs they reject at home – Remi Tinubu
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has criticised Nigerians migrating to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada among other developed countries to engage in jobs they have refused to… pic.twitter.com/1LbR1X9KHz
— Vanguard Newspapers (@vanguardngrnews) March 21, 2024