The Nigerian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has recently applauded the recent recognition of Nigerians by the newly elected president of the United States.
It was reported by news sources that President-Elect, Joe Biden’s had appointed three Nigerian citizens into his executive cabinet. In the opinion of many, this is a testament that quite a good number of Nigerians abroad are obviously doing well, irrespective of the negativity or contrary opinion being portrayed about the country, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In his words;
“Mr. Joe Biden, the in-coming US President, has three Nigerians in his new cabinet. It shows that Nigerians are thriving – doing well wherever they are. Nigerians should continue to demonstrate their talents wherever they go,”
The Minister, while lauding the efforts of Nigeria citizens in the Diaspora also emphasized on the need to focus on the potentials and opportunities available within the country. He further talked about the fact that despite the fact that many citizens are critical of the presidency, there are however, several significant developmental efforts that could be credited to his administration.
The Minister, who gave these advise at Okpara Square, Enugu when he flagged off the Public Service Works (PWS), one of the several programmes initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to empower youths in the country and discourage them from travelling abroad to seek for greener pasture.
Moreso, the minister admitted to fact that the situation of things has been pretty rough and tough for the youths in the last ten years, he however emphasized: “It hurts me how Nigerian youths are being trafficked to other countries where they are seeking for greener pasture, where some of them die without getting the greener pasture; hence this empowerment targeting at the young people of this country.”
He further disclosed that President Buhari was doing a lot to empower Nigerian youths and to stop them from running out of the country in search of so-called better life in foreign lands, thereby exposing themselves to the harsh weather and inhuman treatment by their host country.
“Some die in the desert while others perish in the high seas,” he said, urging the youths to make maximum use of such programmes.
“Most of the black doctors, scientists, who are doing well abroad are Nigerians,” Onyeama, said, recalling that when he travelled the Caribbean Island (Jamaica), he was pleasantly surprised to realize that one of the best hospitals in that country “is owned by a Nigerian, an indigene of Enugu State,” adding that “Nigeria is blessed with every good thing. All we need is good leadership.”
Onyeama further said: “I went with Mr. President to China about two years ago. And the President was thinking of how China was able to lift thousands of people from poverty in three years,” explaining that the three ingredients involved were “being able to feed yourself, having technical education and having capital to fund the programme.”
He said that President Buhari has set a target of lifting 100 million vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty in ten years, noting that this is a target no leader in Africa has set before.
He advised the 17,000 beneficiaries of the PSW programme in 17 local government areas of Enugu State to “take it seriously because once you are creating a job, it has a multiplier effects.”
It is indeed a laudable development that there are Nigerians who are giving a very good account of themselves and a positive representation of the federation. it is only sad that majority of these personalities could have added positively to the development of the country when every suitable and conducive environment is available. This should be an area the leadership of the federation should pay serious attention to.
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
