ABUJA, THE ASSUMING THERAPY FOR QUICK MAKING.

Abuja – Here We Come ABUJA is threatened by its fame as the place where all the opportunities are, especially for making quick money. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have their eyes set on Abuja. They have heard that once there, they can make something for themselves. Whether it is a myth or not, there is little anyone can do that would convince those with their minds made up that relocating to Abuja was the panacea to their personal challenges. They have examples that testify to the abilities of Abuja to cure all cares. Before their eyes they have seen village upstarts step into Abuja in some political role and return as lords. Nobody can tell them that being in Abuja would not change their lives similarly.Abuja would continue to draw people in their droves. In the midst of the conflicts tearing the North East, North West and North Central into shreds, Abuja appears an oasis of peace. Where else would those hunted in their own homes go? Its central location to the action spots in the North is reducing the city to a huge refugee camp. Even when peace returns to the crisis areas, those who relocated to Abuja rarely leave. The authorities barely notice. They built Abuja for their comfort with the assumption that its high cost of living would shield it from the poor, the masses, the ones governments only remember during elections. They have managed to find their way to Abuja, some to behold its wonders others to seek survival. Economic refugees are boosting Abuja’s population. They believe it is the place to harness opportunities. Many arrive in Abuja without any plans other than doing anything to survive. The city’s rising crime rates is a result of the arrival of many jobless people who must survive. Governments should have anticipated long ago that their policies would result in migrations to Abuja, which the people see as where to making a living. The abandonment of many economic posts across the nation has created an exodus to Abuja. The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed in complaining about the numbers that relocate to Abuja daily sounded as if he was blaming ordinary people for crises that have lingered for years and displaced them from their homes. Job seekers, and others hunting for opportunities, would go where they think their needs would be met. The influx into Abuja is in its infancy, fueled by insecurity, economic straits. It would continue for as long as other places are unsafe. The authorities can only keep Abuja for themselves, when they cater for the needs of the masses through “smaller Abuja” of opportunities in other parts of Nigeria