A legislator, Hon. Kalejaiye Paul has tasked Nigerian youths to dedicate themselves towards promoting their inborn talents and avoid the bandwagon of japa syndrome.
The lawmaker, who represents Ajeromi Ifelodun federal constitency in the Geen Chamber of the National Assembly, gave the charge on Sunday, December 24, in Lagos during a musical concert and talent hunt he hosted in his constituency.
The event, which was organised by the lawmaker, featured competitions from 200 church choirs in Ajeromi-Ifelodun with six churches in the final stage.
The finalists that got a sum of N3 million, include Holy Mount of Delight and Fulfilment Church; CCC Alfa and Omega; CAC MBA Coke Ayo; Christ the king Catholic Church, Alaba Oro; First Baptist Church, Amukoko; and RCCG, Habitation Refuge.
Explaining why he organised the talent hunt, Kalejaiye, who revealed that his vision was about appreciating God and keeping his vow for winning the election, noted that millions of Nigerian youths are endowed with talents that are wasting away.
He said: “What I try to do is to encourage a healthy competition among the choristers.
“We had over 200 entries from various churches and we had the preliminary process. we had elimination, quarter final and semi final.
“Today we are going to present six finalist out of whom we will have the first, second and third.
“The first price goes away with one million naira, the second price goes with N750,000 and the third goes with N500,000. Other prices are N250,000, N150,000.”
He, however, lamented the japa syndrome in the country.
The lawmaker stated: “Unfortunately, japa syndrome has become a phenomenal in recent time. People japa because they believe there are greener pastures and that Nigeria offers nothing.
“But I want to encourage them to say that Nigeria offers the best.
“Even the japa we are talking about, you see graduate go there to wash coffins, security jobs and other.
“These are menial jobs they don’t want to do here but when they get abroad they do just any job to make money.
“While I want to discourage the japa syndrome, my appeal is for us to engage in programmes like this where people that are talented can be spotted and encouraged. I also intend to pursuit the skill accusation.”
In his address, the chairman of the Talent Hunt and Judges Committee, Olusegun Osinaike, who said such event has the capacity to enhance both human capital and the nation’s economy, urged Nigerian politicians to unveil initiatives and programmes that will positively impact lives.
The Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, Oba Moroof Oluwa, who commended the initiative, said such will discourage youths from roaming about.
He said: “I want to thank our good representative, Hon. Kalejaiye Paul. He is representing us well. He has been contributing a lot to the development of this area and he is one of our best because he has been presenting things that will enhance this area.”
The monarch thanked Hon. Kalejaiye for his good deeds.
He stated: “I want to thank our good representative, Hon. Kalejaiye Paul. He is representing us well. He has been contributing a lot to the development of this area and he is one of our best because he has been presenting things that will enhance this area.”
