Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, asserted that Nigerians receive what they deserve, emphasizing that they consistently have the opportunity to participate in the voting process.
During a recent interview with ARISEtv, the former Rivers State Governor emphasized that Nigeria is a land of opportunities, urging citizens to remain in the country rather than opt for emigration.
‘I have always discouraged those who want to leave the country, I say 9-5? Yes, you can always get 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 you 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 that supposing you’re waiting for an opportunity and they kill you? Well, maybe that’s your destiny.. honestly, the opportunities are here,’ Amaechi said.
Reminded that the type of opportunities he referred to is only available to an insignificant number of citizens, Amaechi said, “You just assumed the opportunities is 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 you sell to one million Nigerians at one naira. How much is that? I think that’s about 10m naira.’
Highlighting the importance of a systemic approach, the former minister emphasized that addressing the adverse effects of the ‘japa’ phenomenon in Nigeria involves a focus on enhancing governance systems.
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He identified the economy, insecurity, and a deficiency in job creation as the primary drivers pushing citizens abroad, emphasizing that addressing these issues is squarely within the realm of government responsibility.
Amaechi, however, made it clear that Nigerians lack the justification to complain about hardship and limited economic opportunities, having actively participated in the selection of their leaders through voting.
‘I’m avoiding where you’re going to. 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 creation of opportunities, creation of employment, and all that. So, what you can tell is Nigerians get what they want. Nigerians get what they deserve. You don’t complain after.’
‘Nigerians at all time have had an opportunity to vote, whatever you voted for is what you deserve, but again, let’s not go into politics,’ Amaechi added.