President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Yokohama, Japan said his administration will do everything to prevent few criminals from tarnishing the highly cherished reputation of Nigerians abroad.
This is just as the President declared that those few Nigerians abroad indulging in criminal activities do not represent the values of majority of the people of the country.
The President stated this in his first official reaction to reports of arrests of over 80 fraudsters, mostly Nigerians by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, when he met with leaders of the Nigerian Community living in Japan on the sidelines of the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7).
“Let me also say that there are few Nigerians in the Diaspora that are giving us a bad name by engaging in criminal activities. These Nigerians are a minority, they do not represent the values of our country, and I plead with them to change their ways.”
According to him, “We will not condone any crime whether at home or abroad, and we will also not allow these Nigerians define us as a people with reputation for criminality.”
The President, while also urging Nigerians in Japan to be good ambassadors of their fatherland, said, “I am personally very happy that there are millions of Nigerians all over the world, like you here, who are truly making us proud.”
He declared that majority of the over 17 million Nigerians in Diaspora are “the face of Nigeria globally and our ambassadors for good,” adding that, “Many of our Diasporans, like your good selves here today, have excelled in varying fields of endeavor, both professionally and individually.
“You have also made significant and overwhelmingly positive contributions to your Nigerian and international host communities. You have continually been a positive bridge between Nigeria and the world. It is not an easy feat and we commend you, salute your courage and efforts.”
“Japan is at the cutting edge of technology and efficiency, two very important attributes that can play a role in Nigeria and improve our capacity for development,” President Buhari urged members of his audience to continue to contribute their quota by helping to develop their host country and Nigeria as well, adding: “I look forward to your inborn gift, ability, and capacity in taking up this challenge.”
He commended them for positively impacting the Nigerian economy through financial home remittances, promoting international trade in Nigerian commodities, our music, culture, tourism, sports, and education, as well as helping to establish industries in Nigeria,”
Buhari urged them “to encourage legitimate Japanese entrepreneurs to come and invest in Nigeria.”
“I have regularly held town hall meetings with Nigerians in the Diaspora on all my foreign engagements be they in Europe, Asia, America and Africa.
“I have established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission specifically to engage with you, signifying a coordinated attempt by our administration to increase the involvement of our Diaspora in our national development.
“Collectively, your resources, skills, and talents will be a positive force for our country which can help accelerate our national growth and development.”
President Buhari’s meeting with Nigerians in Diaspora, coordinated by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Diaspora Commission, who described the President as “the most Diaspora-friendly leader we have had in Nigeria,” witnessed a parade of the brightest and best of our citizens, plying their trade in Japan.
Ejiogu Emenike, President, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Asia (NIDOASIA) and an energy expert, commended President Buhari for efficient leadership, and disclosed that his members have “comparative advantages in human capital development, which we are trying to bring back to Nigeria.”
“Any problem that science and technology can solve, we are able to, and we can help Nigeria in areas of need.”
Ochade Osakwe, Chairman, Nigeria/Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, recounted businesses that have been attracted to Nigeria in recent times, promising to do more, as the security and investment climates back home improved further.
Nnaji Fintan, President, Nigerian Union in Japan, asked for more exploits in the areas of education, quality infrastructure and security, which incidentally, are focal points of the current administration.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
