The National Assembly assured in Abuja at the weekend that it would improve the relevant legal framework to give Nigerian youth more opportunities and thus counteract the brain drain from the country.
Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament), Senator Jibrin Barau, made the remark at an event organized by “Muslim Men in Business and the Professions”.
Barau also assured that the ECOWAS Parliament is ready to create a supportive environment in the West African sub-region through appropriate legislation to promote the socio-economic well-being of the people.
He noted that the conference theme, “Between Patriotism and Self-Preservation” as well as the theme, “Dilemma of Nigerian Youth: Challenges at Home, Insecurities Abroad” reflected the ethical dilemma faced by some of the country’s young people whose distorted mindset does not allow them to appreciate the value and true essence of being Nigerian.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President added that the Federal Government, through collaboration with the executive, will create opportunities for the youth to realize their potential at the highest level in the country.
He said: “The theme of today’s discussion ‘between patriotism and self-preservation’ and the ‘dilemma of Nigerian youth, challenges at home and uncertainties abroad’ well sums up the dilemma facing some of our youths. Due to their distorted mindset, they are unable to appreciate the value and true essence of being Nigerian.
“I would like to commend the organisers of this event for creating such a promising platform for the exchange of ideas that advance our national values and development.
“You could not have addressed a better part of our society than the youth, who are the leaders of today and tomorrow because they have enormous talent, energy, creativity, courage, hard work and dedication to what they believe in.
“I want to use this opportunity to stress that the National Assembly is committed to improving relevant laws that will make Nigeria attractive to our youth and ensure that they stay here and contribute to national development.
“I assure you that the legislative and executive branches of government are working together to enable our numerous youth to reach the peak of their potential.
“I will also, in my position as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, ensure that the Parliament has seamless legislation that promotes the socio-economic well-being of the people of our sovereign nations, especially the youth.”
Earlier, in his welcoming address, the President of the organisation, Kamil Olalekan, had pointed out that the issue needed to be addressed given the negative net effect of excessive immigration on Nigeria’s national development. He stressed that retaining Nigerian youth, particularly skilled and professional workers, to contribute to national development was a pressing national issue.
However, he regretted that the country’s greatest talents in the fields of information technology, medicine, biotechnology and science were leaving the country because of widespread pessimism about the country’s future prospects.
