Veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu has warned Nigerians against the desperation to seek greener pastures abroad, saying there is no mercy when it comes to paying bills.
Momodu who spoke in an interview with Teju Babyface, emphasised that opportunities abound in Nigeria where money can be invested in.
According to him, having N30 to 40 million in Nigeria can provide a comfortable life and enable entrepreneurship instead of using it to japa abroad.
Speaking on insecurity challenges in Nigeria as an excuse for relocating, he argued that perfect security does not exist anywhere, citing the example of 3,000 people allegedly being killed in New York on a single day.
Momodu encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in their home country, where they can set up their own businesses, ranches, or farms.
Momodu also highlighted the harsh realities of living abroad, where one must pay bills and face financial struggles without mercy.
He cautioned that the glamour of living abroad often wears off when one has to rent their own house and pay bills without support.
“If you had 30/40 million in Nigeria and you think you’re a poor man, I beg you, you’re a m@d man. You have 30/40 million and you can’t set up a proper business in Nigeria. I beg you think again. There’s nowhere where there’s perfect security.
“On a single day 3000 people got killed in New York. The people of New York have not abandoned their country because of that. In fact you can set up your own security in Nigeria.
“If food is the matter, if you want to start your own ranch in Nigeria with cows and everything, you can start with N30million.
“The attraction of staying abroad is that when you go on vacation, everyone welcomes you. You’re staying with your family in a free house. The day you carry all your children to another man’s house and he knows you’re not leaving in a hurry, you’re going to see the difference.
“And the day you rent your own house, that is the trauma you’re going to carry for almost all the rest of your life. Because you now have to face the reality of paying your own bills abroad. And there’s no mercy, once your money finishes, your life goes. No mercy. Just remember that Dele Momodu said ‘No mercy abroad’”.
