Dear Canadian Govt, We're Ready To Be Stolen, Nigerians React To PUNCH Article

 

Imosemi said many people left the country because they thought there was no future for their children and their potential was not being exploited.
 

Many Nigerian youths have expressed dissatisfaction with the situation of things in the country, saying they preferred to be ‘stolen’ by foreign countries, especially Canada.

 

The reaction followed an opinion article, Canada is stealing our young people, published in The PUNCH on Wednesday.

 

The writer, Izere Imosemi, a lawyer, had described as alarming the rate at which skilled youths, well educated couples and professionals migrate to Canada, “where they are faced with uncertainties and regarded as second class citizens.”

 

Imosemi said many people left the country because they thought there was no future for their children and their potential was not being exploited.

 

The article has so far generated mixed reactions. Some Nigerian youths provided their home addresses so they could be “stolen” by Canada, while others said they wanted to be “stolen” along with their family members.

 

See the reactions as tweeted:

 

One Uncle Yemi wrote, “It is better (to be stolen) than to be preserved for endless poverty. Let the stealing continue. Face your political and religious leaders.”

 

One Aikigbe Augustina said, “Nigeria made it so. Who wants to be in a country that has no plans for the young people? Senators still determine how much they should pay themselves, while some have no food to eat. People are becoming fedup.”

 

That Shy AkwaIbom boy said, “Dear Canadian Govt. Am ready mbok. Can you come and steal me too?”

 

@Iperson_pikin said, “God when?” Am I the only one left unstolen?”

 

Kolonel, retweeting @punchng, wrote, “Never use the word ‘steal’ again. Canada is retrieving us. That’s what’s up.”

 

Oshindare Toyin said, “Canada, my availability to be stolen to your country is approved by God and man. Please, steal me without any baggage and I am done. Looking forward to your favorable response.”

 

Amaka said, “Which junction do they steal the youths please tell me let me go stand der 24/7.”

 

A user with the alias, Good vibes, gave his address with some descriptions for easy identification.

 

“I’m standing in front putting on a green shirt. Canada please come and steal me,” he added.

 

Raphael said, “Canada isn’t stealing your young people. Your young people are looking for places where older people give opportunity to younger people to achieve their dreams. We are tired of vision-less & greedy old people who don’t deserve respect.”

 

One Isaac Tagondi asked those interested in being stolen to retweet his post with a link to the PUNCH article.

 

Over 314 people had done so.

 

Sharing a personal experience on PUNCH Online, a reader with the name UK, said his life changed after he left the country.

 

He said, “This is like my story. I was a patriotic Nigerian and still is but had to leave the country when it dawned on me that my future and that of my three kids are not secured. I did not earn enough in Nigeria to send them to a private school in Nigeria and life was miserable for me who was well educated but without a good job. My wife was jobless for more than 6 years after graduation. I had no choice but to relocate to UK. Now my kids are reading medicine and law in the best universities in the world in the UK. I have a great job and my wife is a top banker in the fifth largest bank in the world. I still love Nigeria and have some investments there that I would not have in my dreams if I stayed in Nigeria unless I joined politics to steal and rob the masses.”