President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Yokohama, Japan, said that the few Nigerians abroad indulging in criminal activities do not represent the values of majority of the people of the country.
The president said this at a meeting 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.
“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,” he said.
The president urged Nigerians in Japan to be good ambassadors of their country.
“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 said.
The president stressed the need for the Nigerians to be responsible citizens wherever they found themselves, adding that majority of the over 17 million Nigerians in Diaspora are “the face of Nigeria globally and our ambassadors for good.”
“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,” he said.
The president also urged members of the Nigerian community in Japan to continue to contribute their quota by helping to develop their host country and Nigeria as well.
Commending many of them who are already “positively impacting the Nigerian economy through financial home remittances, promoting international trade in Nigerian commodities, our music, culture, tourism, sports, and education, while also helping to establish industries in Nigeria,” the president urged them “to encourage legitimate Japanese entrepreneurs to come and invest in Nigeria.”
“We are continually working to create the necessary enabling environment for investors to thrive, through improvements in our Ease of Doing Business practices, providing security, diversification of the economy, infrastructure and fighting corruption.
“We have put in place the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERPG) to put the country on a path of sustained recovery and growth,” he said.
Explaining the rationale for his regular meetings with Nigerians abroad and the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the president said: “As you are aware, 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.
“At these fora, I have always, appealed to our citizens to be our good ambassadors, observe the laws of your host countries, excel in whatever you do legitimately, and also remember us at home (Nigeria). 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.”
The president’s meeting with Nigerians in Diaspora was coordinated by the chairperson of the Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who described the president as “the most Diaspora-friendly leader we have had in Nigeria.”
She said the event witnessed a parade of the brightest and best of the country’s citizens, plying their trade in Japan. They included academics, industrialists, top businessmen, scientists, economists, and many others.
In his remarks, president of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Asia (NIDOASIA) and an energy expert, Professor Ejiogu Emenike, commended president for his efficient leadership.
He said Nigerians in the diaspora have comparative advantages in human capital development, which they 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,” he said.
Also speaking, the chairman Nigeria/Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Engineer Ochade Osakwe, said a lot of businesses have been attracted to Nigeria in recent times, and assured to do more as the security and investment climates back home improved further.
Mr Nnaji Fintan, president of 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.
