By George Okorocha
A former university lecturer and Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Professor Anthony Ani, has posited that provision of conducive work environment would bring an end to persistent brain drain being witnessed in contemporary Nigeria.
Professor Ani, who is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this in an interaction with journalists in Abuja, on the causative factor to brain drain and the pragmatic way out of the socio-economic malady.
He also pointed out that the worsening and persistent state of insecurity in the country, had become a major factor that contributed to the mass exodus of Nigerians to the foreign land in search of greener pastures, as well as seeking refuge against threatening security.
On the condition of work environment in Nigeria as a pivotal force propelling people, especially professionals in diverse fields, to troop to other countries of the world, Ani argued that if government should provide friendly working conditions, most of the the people outside would return and stay, while many within the country, would be discouraged from travelling abroad in search of better employment and living conditions.
“The problem of brain drain can be addressed by doing things right, so that what is over there can be found here. They say that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. If all those benefits that they get outside are here, what is the need of going there? I never fancied going out there, because Nigeria is abundantly blessed both in human and material resources.
“If such resources as needed are made available for maximum comfort, I don’t think there will be need for people to be trooping outside. Brain drain could be stopped by making workers in all sectors to be comfortable. It is lack of comfort that is making them to go outside and look for better means of living.
“That is a very big issue and that is why I support Labour that their salaries and allowances should be increased to a level that should be able to take them home. If you look at the cost of things today, what they get cannot take care of their basic needs.
“So, that is the main issue and that promotes corruption. If what you are getting is not enough, the temptation is there for you to touch what does not belong to you. So, for brain drain to be stopped, government has to pay attention to the welfare of workers,” he argued.
On the issue of insecurity as a major cause of brain drain, Senator Ani said: “another major cause of brain drain in this country as of today is the life threatening insecurity. Nobody wants to die, and nobody wants his or her property or investments to be destroyed.
“Recently, I noticed that people are flocking out of Nigeria to go and take refuge in other countries. Even if they are not well treated in those countries, they prefer to stay there and be safe, than stay in Nigeria and constantly live in fear of terrorists or bandits attacks.
“Therefore, President Bola Tinubu has enormous task to secure this country for Nigerians to live without fear. He is doing very well, but you know that the security situation of the country had gone bad before he inherited it from the past administration. I know that the President is determined to stamp out insecurity of all kinds in the country.
“However, he needs the support of all Nigerians to continue to make progress in the fight against the menace. We should not play politics with insecurity. Terrorists don’t know whether you are from the North or South, East or West. I am therefore, encouraging Nigerians to unite and help in anyway we can, while the security agencies play their part.”
Expressing his views on the current impasse between Labour unions and the Federal Government, the politician advised the Government and the workers, to consider and adopt the sum of one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000 as a reasonable, realistic and sustainable living wage for Nigerian workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), are currently demanding for N494,000 as minimum wage for workers, while the Government said that it could sustainably pay N60,000, a development that made the Organised Labour, to order its members to commence an indefinite strike from last week Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide.
The decision of Labour to embark on industrial action followed the deadlock between the Federal Government and the Labour Unions in agreeing on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
The Labour unions went on strike on Monday last week as announced, but later suspended it on Tuesday for five days, to allow for further negotiation with the Government on acceptable and sustainable minimum wage for workers.
In his opinion, Senator Ani said: “The N494,000 Labour is asking Government to pay as minimum wage is not realistic. The economists and statisticians are there to do the calculation and come up with a reasonable salary; a salary that can carry you and carry your family. They call it a living wage; living wage should be given to workers.
“I recommend one hundred thousand Naira minimum wage per month for workers. I am sure Nigeria can afford that. It depends on where you are living. One hundred thousand Naira can take you, if you are living in a rural area where you don’t pay all these bills they are paying in township.
“You only have a few of those on level 1 step 1 in urban towns. Such people could be cleaners. I don’t think there is any driver who will be on level 1 step 1. I think such people are attached to big men they are serving. So, in this case, they are not going to pay rent. They only pay transportation and other menial expenses. So, it can take them.”
The lawmaker, who taught Agricultural Science in different reputable Nigerian Universities before he resigned and joined active politics, also advised Nigerian workers to try and acquire skills as well as go into subsistent farming to be able to earn additional income to augment their salaries.
“It also calls for people to be creative. As you are doing that, you have to have plan B; to have a fallback situation. That is why those of us who are farmers, we encourage people to go to farm. Every weekend, you go to your farm.
“You cannot understand the gains that can come from such activities. We are not saying that you should go into large scale farming but something that can help sustain you and your family. Some people sew clothes, some mend shoes and other artisanal activities to earn additional income,” he stated.