The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said the 'Japa' trend that sees Nigerians fleeing the country for greener pastures abroad must be checked.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, made the declaration at the maiden meeting of the committee, held at the Senate wing of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Wednesday.

According to her, a reversal of mass migration must be addressed in the interest of the nation.

“This committee will do this by collaborating with relevant stakeholders in the area of making Nigerians particularly the youth, believe more in their country and not the mindset of wanting to rush out of the country. Patriotism is earned and not forced.

“We need to identify a few steps that we can use in building our economy here using our diaspora energy. We’re going to look into countries like India, Pakistan, and even Egypt, in Africa here on how they have grown their capacities and made their countries attractive for a larger percentage of citizenry to stay.

“The committee will start this process by getting the database of Nigerians in Diaspora, country by country and also collaborate with various international organisations on areas of focus that can attract many of them back home.

“India is a very good example of reversing the japa syndrome by being the Information and Communication Technology capacity hub of the world with attendant jobs for its citizens,” she said.

Earlier in his remarks, the immediate past chairman of the committee, Senator Victor Umeh (APGA, Anambra), expressed hope in the ability of Senator Natasha to take the committee to greater heights, saying, “I knew that a great success has come on board for this committee with Senator Natasha as Chairman.

“She has what it takes to break into the grounds and then galvanise all efforts towards tapping the potentials of Nigeria’s diaspora communities and also collaborate with other stakeholders on reversing the japa syndrome,” he said.