Don’t ‘Japa’ Now, Cardoso Begs Nigerians as you will regret it later—CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso has an advice for Nigerians: Don’t ‘Japa’ now (Don’t leave the country), he says, providing two reasons why not.
Cardoso gave this advice in a keynote address at the 59th annual Bankers Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, in Lagos.
On his two reasons why Nigerians should not think about leaving the country, a decision they may eventually regret, he said
One, those who may decide they are going to do that, they will sell and get rid of their assets.
You’ll be doing it for cheap. Predators, who are outside looking for bargains, will come and take it and pocket it, put it in their pocket and wait for the turnaround and sell it away.
You want to be part of the solution. You want to be part of the solution, and this is time that we need all hands on them.
“There are opportunities in the market today, which I must say, from my experience over the past year and also for the past six months, a lot of interest from the outside in what is going on in Nigeria
“In taking positions in certain assets, so they see the opportunity, and we, who are here, should be part of the solution for the better things which will come.”
Cardoso assured that the apex bank is building an economy where everybody and business can thrive.
According to him, the economy could be challenging due to ongoing reforms, he said they were focused on tackling challenges of today and on securing the opportunities of tomorrow with the aim of building an economy where everybody thrives.
“We are building an economy where every individual, every business, and every community can thrive.
“This vision will not be achieved by one institution alone. It requires all of us — banks, regulators, businesses, and citizens — to work together with steadfast resolve”
The Eagle reports that the Japa syndrome has indeed become endemic in the country, occasioned by several years of failure on the government to improve living. Incidentally, the youths who are critical in nation building are mostly those thrilled by the ‘Japa’ syndrome.
