Some dishonest individuals are attempting to harm Nigerians abroad. Therefore, it is assumed that the unfavourable stereotypes of the nation and its citizens are a deliberate tactic.
According to NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Nigerians are not as appalling as they are depicted to be in the media.
In Akure, the administrative centre of Ondo State, she made this declaration on Saturday at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome).
Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern that such false information has led to Nigerians being subjected to horrific insults and other abuses abroad.
The former member of the House of Representatives stated, “One of the biggest problems we have in Nigeria is our image. We are not as bad as we are portrayed, and we must do something about it.
“Communication is the key. What are we communicating? What are we saying about ourselves to the world? This is very important”.
She urged Nigerians to speak well of their country constantly and show the world that they are lovely people who live in a good country.
The head of NiDCOM stressed that “we are not a country of fraudsters or drug dealers. We are good people. We are precious, determined, hardworking, passionate, and excellent about what we do as Nigerians.
“That is who we are as Nigerians, and, most importantly, that is what you are as an Akure indigene. I look forward to working with you. I will be glad to attend more of your programmes and projects. And by the next time we meet, we will have a female version of your group.
“I want to thank my diaspora brothers particularly. What you are doing is what everybody should be doing—getting those in the diaspora to come back home and see what they can do to improve the situation of their various communities.
“I am proud of what you are doing here today, and I am happy to be with you for this programme. We are urging others to follow in your footsteps and do what you are doing today.
“The idea is that we can not do it alone. If Nigerians at home are working with those in the diaspora, we will build a better society. You can imagine what you are doing in Akure here. I want to come back by next year to come to see the impact you have made which I believe that you will make. I promise to be your number one broadcaster and I will broadcast to the world what you are doing in Ondo State, particularly in Akure.”
Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the state’s commissioner for information and orientation, also spoke. In her presentation, she said, “In Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is putting a lot into place. We are one of the two states with a diaspora ministry. I was there before, so I know. We are trying to create a diaspora bond to which you can subscribe. We are building that intersection entity so that there is trust between you and us and whoever is giving service so that you can invest your money sensibly.
“It is okay to give money to your family, but how do you invest in the country of birth? How do you get returns for your money apart from the money you give to family members? Please look at that.
” At present, in Ondo State, we have health insurance. If you have aged parents in Nigeria, you must rest assured that their health will be catered to by competent hospitals here in Nigeria if you subscribe to that health insurance.”