“JAPA” SYNDROME IN NAOMI’S FLIGHT TO MOAB AND LESSONS FOR THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Nigerian society is experiencing a great wave in the migration of people, which does not only include the younger generation but also the older generation. The populace of Nigerian society is tired of the socio-politico-economic maladies permeating the lives and culture of the people. “Japa” is an emerging jargon that has gradually replaced the term migration in 21st-century Nigerian society. Migration means the movement of people, goods and services from one place to another. However, “Japa” is a peculiar term associated with describing people who are travelling outside of the country for the purpose of greener pastures. Thus, it suffices to say that people in the biblical era moved from one place to another in search of greener pastures, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Noami, amongst others. Therefore, this paper examined the concept of “Japa” in Naomi’s flight to Moab and lessons for Nigerian society. The study employed historical and descriptive methods. It was discovered that Noami’s flight to Moab had a lot of effects such as economic, psychological, religious and social effects. The study also derived lessons that can be learnt towards the attitude of Japaism among the Nigerian populace today. Hence, the study recommended that the populace of the Nigerian society should, above all considerations, seek God in their act of migration, obey His instructions and trust in His providence and power to turn a calamitous situation into a favourable one.

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