The Nigerian government has appealed to the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO to leverage on their international network to tell the true narrative of socio political events happening in the country.
This appeal was made by the country’s Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday in Abuja when the U.K chapter of NIDO paid him a courtesy visit.
Alhaji Mohammed said the organisation has the credibility and capacity to seize the platform from those who are bent on painting Nigeria bad in the comity of nations.
The Minister said in spite of the security challenge facing the country, a lot has been achieved in so many sectors and the government is also working tirelessly to tackle such challenges.
The Minister commended the organisation’s patriotism and steadfastness, especially for the Initiative, which is aimed at shining a positive light on Nigeria, celebrating the country and contributing towards a better Nigeria. “This is what patriots do, not badmouthing their country around the world,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the Buhari Administration considers Nigerians in Diaspora as critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project, hence has done the unprecedented by establishing the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission
(NIDCOM).
Alhaji Mohammed said NIDCOM has also ensured that Nigerian in Diaspora community was well informed about the activities of the government which was his reason for saying it was alarming and disappointing that some Nigerians in Diaspora still rely on platforms that peddle fake news and misinformation about Nigeria.
“Each time Mr. President travels outside the country, he has made the engagement with Nigerians in his host country a regular affair, just as we at the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture have always ensured that we interact with Nigerians when we travel outside the country for official purposes.
Unfortunately, the avoidable division among Nigerians in Diaspora in some countries has hampered such engagements. But we will not relent in seeking out and engaging with patriotic Nigerians in Diaspora.
It is in recognition of the relevance of Nigerians in Diaspora that the secessionist groups that are campaigning around the world for their causes have identified and are effectively using some of them (Nigerians in Diaspora) to propagate their fake narratives about the country, in addition to relying on their financial contributions to fund their nefarious activities. This is disheartening.”
The Minister therefore used the opportunity to appeal to NIDO to seize the initiative from those who are bent on painting Nigeria bad in the comity of nations.
“Yes, we have challenges, especially in the area of insecurity. But this Administration has not only acknowledged these challenges, it is earnestly tackling them. I make bold to say that no government in the history of this country has done so much with so little.
The Administration came in at a time that the country has lost one third of its revenue, due to a drastic crash in oil prices. Despite that, the Administration has recorded tremendous achievements in the area of infrastructure – roads, rail, power, housing, dams, etc. -, Agriculture, where the country is closer than ever to achieving self-sufficiency in major staples, the fight against corruption, which the Administration is prosecuting in an institutionalized manner as well as the revamping of the economy, especially through diversification.”
He decried the negative narrative being churned out by some disgruntled elements. The Minister said Instead of contributing their own quota to these efforts, a section of Nigerians in Diaspora and their allies back home are fond of dishing out and accepting fake narratives and untrue allegations of religious persecution, political marginalization and human rights abuses, which are baseless and false.
“As an organized and well connected group, I implore NIDO to leverage its contacts in government circles, parliamentary groups and global think tanks in world capitals to help change the narrative and sweep the carpet off the feet of secessionist groups, insurgents and anarchists who are bent on pushing false narratives to portray Nigeria in bad light. I have no doubt that you will take this call seriously and do everything in your power to change the narrative for the better.”
The Minister said the government is currently re-engineering and ramping up diplomatic efforts to counter and reverse the negative narrative, in addition to countering pervasive anti-government propaganda.
The Chairman of the U.K chapter of NIDO, Mr Chubuzo Obochi said the members of the organisation organised the one week programme to celebrate Nigeria as a country.
He said members were always available to add value back home as he appealed to government to expidite action towards the electoral process than would ensure they exercise the franchise during elections.
Lateefah Ibrahim
