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| Geoffrey Onyeama Foreign Affairs Minister |
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey
Onyeama has said Nigeria and its image abroad should not be judged by the
actions of a very few criminals. He claims that there was no country in the
world which took action against Nigeria because of a person’s misdeeds.
Onyeama has said Nigeria and its image abroad should not be judged by the
actions of a very few criminals. He claims that there was no country in the
world which took action against Nigeria because of a person’s misdeeds.
In spite of the involvement of several
Nigerians in the recently exposed high profile scams, many more Nigerians were
doing good and positive things abroad, Onyeama, which had been the special
guest in the Nigerian News Agency’s (NAN) Forum, said. He described as
unfortunate the perception in the media that bad news made better news than
good news.
Nigerians in the recently exposed high profile scams, many more Nigerians were
doing good and positive things abroad, Onyeama, which had been the special
guest in the Nigerian News Agency’s (NAN) Forum, said. He described as
unfortunate the perception in the media that bad news made better news than
good news.
The minister urged the Nigerian media
to shine their lights on the Diaspora’s good deeds of Nigerians. According to
him, no country in the world has taken action against Nigeria on the account of
the bad deeds of an individual.
to shine their lights on the Diaspora’s good deeds of Nigerians. According to
him, no country in the world has taken action against Nigeria on the account of
the bad deeds of an individual.
“You, the media, of course, we all
know that no news is good news. What sells and excites and interests people is
sensational news. So, there is also that element. So, I think the challenge is
for us to always bring up the good things that Nigerians are doing.
know that no news is good news. What sells and excites and interests people is
sensational news. So, there is also that element. So, I think the challenge is
for us to always bring up the good things that Nigerians are doing.
“Another thing we do is also to
highlight the positive things that Nigerians are doing around the world. We
believe that more Nigerians, many more Nigerians, are doing very good things
and positive things around the world than Nigerians doing negative things,” he
said.
highlight the positive things that Nigerians are doing around the world. We
believe that more Nigerians, many more Nigerians, are doing very good things
and positive things around the world than Nigerians doing negative things,” he
said.
Also, the Chairman/Chief Executive
Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike
Dabiri-Erewa said Nigerians in Diaspora should not be judged by the activities
of some bad elements among them.
Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike
Dabiri-Erewa said Nigerians in Diaspora should not be judged by the activities
of some bad elements among them.
In a statement by Gabriel Odu of the
agency’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said:
“Nigerians all over the world are known to be hardworking, diligent and
determined and succeeding tremendously in their chosen careers wherever they
are. Bad news travels fast.”
agency’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said:
“Nigerians all over the world are known to be hardworking, diligent and
determined and succeeding tremendously in their chosen careers wherever they
are. Bad news travels fast.”
The statement was made by a Nigerian,
Mr Ikenna Nweke, who was commended for returning a lost pocket of large money
and a credit card by the Japanese government and the police. It didn’t make
headlines, however.
Mr Ikenna Nweke, who was commended for returning a lost pocket of large money
and a credit card by the Japanese government and the police. It didn’t make
headlines, however.
Dr Chidube Obi, who has graduated with
a 5.0 grade point average (GPA) grade, has been cleaning all records set at the
University while the Hushpuppi ‘s news was trending.
a 5.0 grade point average (GPA) grade, has been cleaning all records set at the
University while the Hushpuppi ‘s news was trending.
The Chief of Nicom emphasized that
Nigerians are unquestionably the most educated and hardworking immigrants in
the U.S.A. Their careers and professions are determined and successful.
Nigerians are unquestionably the most educated and hardworking immigrants in
the U.S.A. Their careers and professions are determined and successful.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa
stressed that the Law must be able to take up her cause in praising the Federal
Bureau of Information (FBI) and the EFCC for tracking and tracing fraudsters.
stressed that the Law must be able to take up her cause in praising the Federal
Bureau of Information (FBI) and the EFCC for tracking and tracing fraudsters.
She added: ‘We focus
more on Nigerians’ positive work in the Diaspora than on the few negative
stories which are supposed to give Nigeria a bad image.
more on Nigerians’ positive work in the Diaspora than on the few negative
stories which are supposed to give Nigeria a bad image.
“Some Nigerians
work 3 to 4 jobs a day. However, negative acts are used to judge and stereotype
those arrested for fraud.
work 3 to 4 jobs a day. However, negative acts are used to judge and stereotype
those arrested for fraud.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa
encouraged Nigerian youth to use their energies to achieve honesty and
integrity and to maintain high moral values.
encouraged Nigerian youth to use their energies to achieve honesty and
integrity and to maintain high moral values.
