Flight of Talents: UNIDEL VC Tasks Law Makers On Policy Formulation and Implementation

University of Delta (UNIDEL) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke has legislators in Nigeria to urgently enact laws and make policies that would prioritize talent retention, promote economic growth, and ensure a better future for Nigerians.

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The Vice Chancellor of the University of Delta Agbor, and the Guest Speaker at the event, Prof Stella Chiemeke gave the charge during the 2024 Edition of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

Prof. Chiemeke who spoke on the topic " Flight of Talents: Navigating Nigeria's Brain Drain Predicament" disclosed that that the hemorrhaging of talents from Nigeria had reached alarming proportions threatening not only the nation's present state but it's future.

She noted that lawmakers at the State Houses of Assembly have a crucial role to play in addressing the issue of brain drain and make contributing efforts aimed at mitigating its impact on the region's development.

"Through its oversight functions, the Assembly can monitor the activities of government agencies responsible for education, healthcare, infrastructure and development, and job creation to ensure that they align with the goal of retaining skilled professionals."

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" Through public hearings, town hall meetings and legislative debates,the House of Assembly can raise awareness about the challenges of brain drain, mobilize support for targeted interventions and galvanize collective action towards finding sustainable solutions".

The Academic Don, who has won numerous national and international awards to her credit, stated that Nigeria loses over fifty thousand skilled professionals annually to emigration according to United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimates.

She further said that a study by the Development Research and Project Centre reveals that over five hundred Nigerian doctors migrated to UK between 2015 and 2022 and approximately eight thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven medical professionals with degrees from Nigeria are currently working in the UK.

Having identified some of the factors contributing to Brain Drain in Nigeria, the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of UNIDEL suggested possible panacea amongst which are, addressing internal challenges such as enhancing working conditions,combating corruption,upgrading the quality of education and the countering external pull factors.

The chairman of the occasion, Hon. Jonathan Ukpdhiko, who was represented by Dr Joseph Onojaeme, said that hardship, lack of jobs, gross unavailability of power for production, inflation and galloping exchange rates were fueling Fight of Talents from Nigeria.

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Dr Onojaeme who is the commissioner for Health, Delta State said that the theme of 2024 Maris Annual Public Service Lecture was apt considering the negative impact of brain drain on the economic development of the country.He urged Nigerians especially the relevant stake holders to work towards reversing the trend.

" What is more pathetic about the situation which is now termed "Japa Syndrome" is because the best skilled professionals from Nigeria are leaving the country, thereby creating vacuums in several sectors of the economy.

The well attended and impactful lecture was moderated by Dr Kemi Emina and paraded discussants, including the Delta State Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon. Joan Onyemechi, Chief Economic Adviser to Delta State Governor, Dr Barry Pere- Gbe, Special Adviser on Investment Chief Tony Amaechi, ChEdedey and Barr. Freddie Toritseju Erelu-Ede.

Scholars, technocrats and prominent personalities from different sectors raised some burning issues, questions, and comments during the discussion section.

Dignitaries at the auspicious occasion were the Deputy Governor of Delta State, represented by Chris Osakwe, Commissioner for Higher Education Prof Johnbull Tonukari and the state Deputy Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Oke Akokotu.

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Others were the principal officers from the University of Delta Agbor, the deans, teaching and non-teaching staff, permanent secretaries, government officials, religion bodies, and a host of others.