THE END OF JAKPA

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
23rd December, 2023

There is a new word that has found its way into the Nigerian lexicon. The word is 'Jakpa'. Jakpa is a Yoruba word meaning 'to run away'. Today, jakpa has become a common word used all over Nigeria and even beyond.

Jakpa apparently means 'to run away from something bad or unpleasant'. It suggests fright and flight. Nobody runs away from something good and interesting.

The word jakpa as it is known and used in Nigeria has two major elements viz; emigration and escape. People leave the shores of Nigeria for various reasons e.g, studies, business and pleasure. In these instances, they take their time to process their relevant documents, travel and return back to the country. But in the case of jakpa, there is a desperation to leave the depressing and suffocating country by every means possible.

The word jakpa aptly captures the reality of the Nigerian society: the resolve or determination of citizens to escape the harrowing and agonizing difficulties that surrounds everyday life. Jakpa is propelled by the desire to live in an organized and sane society where life is beautiful and interesting. One remarkable fact about jakpa is that; it only offers temporary solution - people run away from Nigeria in order to escape the heartrending challenges plaguing the country and enjoy better life outside.The enormous size of Nigerians in diaspora has not improved the situation of things in Nigeria. Instead, things seem to be moving from bad to worse. Many of these people return to the country using whatever resources they have to further pulverize the system.

Jakpa, in today's Nigerian society is very critical. Nobody wants to remain in misery. Life in Nigeria has become unbearable. Many people have died and are still dying as a result of economic hardship. Many families are unable to take care of their basic needs such as; feeding, clothing, shelter etc. This has produced exacerbating problem of insecurity. There is no gain stating the fact that Nigerian society is unsafe.

As a country where corruption, nepotism and tribalism hold sway, hardwork and merit are often not recognized and; mediocrity the order of the day, it is imperative for people to jakpa. Man must preserve his own life!

Surviving outside one's homeland is not a piece of cake. Through jakpa, one agrees to become a second class citizen wherever he finds himself. The desperation to jakpa from the depressing society of Nigeria has hauled many Nigerians into miserable and piteous conditions. Just to stay away from Nigeria (the jaw of the crocodile), many Nigerians take-up all manner of horrible jobs such as; call girls, washing dead bodies in the morgue, cleaning gutters/drainages, washing dishes etc. Despite the galling and degrading means of livelihood, there is no amount of offer that will make them return back to the country.

The truth must be told, it is not every Nigerian who escapes from Nigeria in the name of jakpa that is happy where they are. Many of them are like endangered species; they live their lives hiding. They do not have rest of mind. The xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, Libya etc is still very fresh in our memory. Many of those who returned through government's intervention did not waste time to return back to the 'slaughter houses'. Many Nigerians who were caught up in the Russian/Ukrainian war refused to return home. To them, 'it is better to die there than return back home'. This also brings to mind the tormenting and torturous experience Nigerians go through in their effort to jakpa - many of them do not arrive their destinations alive.

One thought that has befuddled many Nigerians is: 'why is Nigeria, a land blessed in both human and natural resources so disoriented and backward?' Nigeria is a land divided along tribal and religious lines. These lines are deeply entrenched such that individuals, institutions as well as meritocracy have been toppled. Nothing actually matters to Nigerians outside their religion and tribe. With this attitude, we have, with their own hands destroyed out country. Having ruined the country, we have resorted to jakpa. But jakpa is not the solution to our problem. Only us (Nigerians) can fix Nigeria. To do this, we have to pull down every obstacle to our development such as; tribalism, religiosity, mediocrity, illiteracy, corruption, laziness etc.

If we're able to achieve this, jakpa will die a natural death because institutions will dispense their responsibilities creditably (without bias and lopsidedness). In this regard, our democracy will be strengthened, our elections will not be flagrantly manipulated, our judiciary will reflect the billet of Themis, the goddess of justice. In this instance, our courts will not deal treacherously with Nigerians - whoever transgresses the law of the land will be dealt with accordingly. Those who enrich themselves through our heritage or common wealth will automatically give way.

By the time we arrive at this station, jakpa will no longer be fashionable. Rather than jakpa, it is forighners that will be doing our dirty jobs for us.

Kini n wi?

This is truly more shocking news than tunnel rush.