UK Nigerians React to President Buhari’s Telegraph Interview

Nigerian Diaspora are Assets not Liabilities

African Voice spoke with Nigerians in the UK to gauge their opinions on the raging issue surrounding the interview of President Muhammadu Buhari with the Daily Telegraph newspaper UK during his recent trip. The interview, which has been interpreted in many different ways, including by opposition politicians in Nigeria, is the focus on our Forum platform this week.

Here is the take of leading professionals in the UK.

Send in your comment to add your voice to the discourse. Should President Buhari apologise to Nigerians Abroad?

In Feb 2016, Mr President seemed to berate Nigerians in the diaspora for leaving the country when she needed them the most in an interview with the Daily Telegraph (UK). In his usual candid manner, Mr President articulates his expectation of them by saying ‘if their countrymen misbehaved, the best thing for them is to stay at home and encourage the credibility of the nation’. While I applaud Mr President for his categorical statement, he did not acknowledge the fact that many of them were victims of rapacious regimes that disempowered them politically, economically and socially. Driven out by frustration and, to retain their sanity, many of them sought green pastures overseas.

Nigerians in diaspora have not only advanced themselves professionally, but have also made immense positive contributions to the host country and to Nigeria. For instance, they remit $21b to Nigeria annually to support family, friends and socio-economic growth, making them an alternative foreign exchange earner for Nigeria. But to encourage them to contribute to nation building, Nigeria should begin to see them as assets rather than liabilities. In order to harness such potentials for development, the government should adopt a deliberate and planned strategy with a commitment to facilitate their participation. In recent past, nations such as Israel and Egypt launched community projects to tap into to the resources of their diaspora. Taking a cue from such initiates will unite Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to work towards a common purpose that will make the country great again.

By Dr Ola Ogunyemi, Principal Lecturer in Journalism. University of Lincoln, UK.    

 

Godwin Okri, who is a Barrister and CEO at Menvo Limited said that he was bewildered at the answers given by President Buhari when asked about whether it was legitimate for Nigerians to use the migrant route to claim asylum in the UK. Even more bizarre was the President’s comment when asked about whether Nigerians have an image problem abroad.

To the first question, the President said (inter alia) “…some Nigerians have made it difficult for Europeans… to accept them because of the number of Nigerians in prison.”

To the second question as to whether Nigerians have an image problem abroad, his reply was “Certainly”.

The comment by President Buhari raises a wider question: is public relations one of the role of a President?

The answer must be in the affirmative. A President represent a people for whom he owes an obligation to defend. To give an emphatic affirmation that Nigerians have an image problem fails to take account of hundreds of Nigerians undertaking great contribution to Britain and the world in art, science, literature, sports,etc. Many of the players in the English Premier League are Nigerian contributing to this society.

Further, it is inaccurate to say because some Nigerians are in prison, that gives a bad name, in the same way as saying that white British in cell gives Britain a bad name. There are disproportionate numbers of blacks in prison partly because of societal failings. Taking a broad brush approach, without careful consideration of different circumstances, shows lack of tact on the part of the President.

The President missed the opportunity to sell Nigeria to the international business community.

Barrister Godwin Okri is the author of investing in Property with Strategy.

 

Without becoming a mouthpiece for PMB, I was impressed with almost everything he said, especially around recovery of looted Nigeria’s national wealth, fighting Boko Haram, fighting corrupt practices, exodus of Nigerian citizens abroad and their alleged joining of ISIS and other extreme terrorist groups.

The West need to put their money where their mouth is in relation to fighting extremist groups. It requires multinational cooperation. These terrorist groups must be getting their weapons from somewhere which I’m sure not in Nigeria or Africa because there aren’t many weapon manufacturers in Africa. They must be getting finance from somewhere and keeping their money in certain institutions, probably located in the West. I agree with President Buhari’s assertion that it is a tragedy that Nigeria has stooped so low to the extent of importing mercenaries from South Africa to fight Boko Haram. I’m sure I was still in Nigeria when we had the unfortunate incident of Meitesine in the North a few decades ago. Nigeria brought the incident under control within a reasonable time. I believe if there is the will to fight extremism, with multinational cooperation and the right tools, Boko Haram situation will be brought to a logical conclusion pretty soon.

Regarding to corruption, I have full confidence in PMB’s ability to effectively deal with this cancerous national problem as well. Judging by PMB’s past record on this during his brief spell as a Military Head of State with Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon. They both brought discipline and self-respect back into the Nigeria nation and the people. I’m confident this can be done again with his strong leadership, Western and Nigerians in Diaspora support. I strongly belief he can bring sanity into the Nigeria populace again. However, it is not a fight he can win alone, after all, when these national treasure looters steal the money, they bring them into their Western bank accounts and buying expensive properties and living lavish life styles whilst their fellow citizens are risking their lives through human smugglers in order to run to some foreign countries. Can anyone steal a penny from the West and get away with it? There is a Yoruba adage that says; ‘eni gbe epo loja o jebi. Eni to gba sile gan ni ole’. We can’t just blame the national treasure looters. The West must share a greater proportion of the blame as well. Yes, PMB is right in saying that the West must do more to help fight corruption and other fraudulent practices.

Migration of Nigerian citizens into Europe and other parts of the world is as a result of this uncontrollable treasure looting and other corrupt practices; which the West may be complicit. It is born out of desperation and hopelessness. When people like me left Nigeria in the mid-eighties, it was out of exploration and the curiosity to see what was outside Nigeria and Africa. Nigeria was still reasonably great country to live at the time. There were jobs, 24 hours electricity supply, regular water supply, good roads, etc. We could go out and come back from the night club at 5am without any security concern. Nigerians were not regarded as economic immigrants or terrorist then. I could remember we were not different from our white counterparts who use their gap years to travel to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and African countries in search of knowledge from the University of life, as Mr. John Major, former British Prime Minister once said.

I sincerely hope that, through cooperation and partnership working, terrorism, illegal migration and human suffering including the causes of these problems can be brought under control together. So, let us appeal to our Western governments for their full cooperation in helping PMB in his efforts to Nigeria giant of Africa once more.

Cllr. Sunny Lambe is a UK Politian, Councillor with the London Borough of Southwark

 

As a good citizen of Nigeria, I am not happy with the few Nigerians that are giving the country a bad image abroad and United Kingdom inclusive. We all know that Nigerians are industrious, hardworking and highly educated. Most people have no choice than to look for greener pastures outside of the nation of Nigeria due to a major factor which is bad governance.

We all know how blessed our dear country is in every ramification and we know also how our Leaders ruling us in the past years have failed woefully to live up to expectation. President Buhari has been given opportunity to be part of governance before in Nigeria but we did not feel his impact and policy on things that directly affect the Nigerian populace. We only hope he will make amends this time. If the Nigeria government is able to provide and maintain infrastructures and our Leaders stop being selfish then we can make Nigeria great again. Many of us are ready even now to come home but some who left years back are dead now due to accidents on our bad roads and other unexpected incidents not common in the western world, and also non equipped hospitals.

So Mr. President do not condemn your citizens but make Nigeria better with this rare opportunity this time and we are ready to support you to make the giant of Africa to stand and shine again!

Babatope Fagbolagun a Nigerian based in the UK.

 

Over many decades, Nigeria has produced leaders that were best described as dishonest.   Reading through the interview, I am pleased and proud to say that, for the first time, Nigeria now has a leader, in spite of all the difficulties the country is facing, who is bold enough to speak as honestly as humanly possible.

President Buhari, in my opinion, irrespective of how many Nigerians and other nationals see him, is down to earth, honest and not afraid to talk about Nigeria’s deplorable situations without fear of offending her citizenry. Every well-meaning Nigerian should stand tall in proclaiming him a genuine leader. Previously leaders could have painted over the crack walls and lie about it, with smiles on their faces.

However, I was very disappointed with his response on the question of the negative image of Nigeria in United Kingdom.   Many Nigerians, save for a few, are working hard, contributing to the growth of the British economy. They should be commended. He should defend us stoutly.

On immigration, anyone who feels threatened in his country is within their human right to seek safety anywhere in the world, Nigerians inclusive.

Sam Akowe is a youth mentor and trainer

 

My take is, there is so much negativity towards Nigeria and Nigerians because of a few bad eggs, ABLE was set up to address this, collectively and individually we can change this, not the government but you and I.
We can only achieve this, by celebrating ourselves more, rebuking those who bring us into disrepute by speaking out against them that they do not represent you and I, but they are just a tiny minority. We must ensure that those we elect to represent us in the diaspora are people who have been tried and tested with genuine interest of the community at heart and not self-centred individuals with questionable characters.
There are so many Nigerians contributing in different areas from government to private sector. We must identify them and go to the roof top and make noise about them.

Yemisi Jenkins MBE is the President of ‎Association of British-Nigerian Law Enforcement officers (ABLE)

 

it’s a shame the President’s quotes has been politicised. Truth must be said, as Nigerians we have image problem but to twist the statement that the President called Nigerians abroad criminals is clearly unfair and contrary to the statements in the report.
Having said that, it is also unfair and disservice to many hard working, many accomplished professionals, entrepreneurs, and many in various government departments here in Britain that have made positive impacts albeit publicly acknowledged and rewarded for their efforts.
This issue has been raised in the past and I was so elated with the summation by our former High Commissioner here in London, Dr Christopher Kolade.
In a response to the question of criminality among Nigerians at a press conference, he stated that Nigeria with population of over 170 million, has less than 1% of the population that are responsible for the negative reporting we are witnessing. Although complacency must not be allowed as such, bad eggs among us must not be allowed to ruin our image.
It will be naive of us to believe that other ethnic groups in UK do not have similar issues, only that we are lousy as they say.

Duro Lawal is a UK based entrepreneur.

 

I have read the full interview granted to the Telegraph by President Buhari, and I could not see anywhere in the whole article where he said Nigerians are corrupt.  The president was being honest in his answer to a question.  Let’s ask ourselves the same question that the president was asked:  “Do you think that Nigerians have an image problem abroad?”  Most, if not all of us in diaspora would answer in affirmative that Nigeria and indeed Nigerians have image problems.

So the President cannot shy away from this fact, and was just being honest in his answer.  To me, whoever quoted the President out of context in his interview with the Telegraph is being mischievous. I think the views expressed by the president in that interview is a wakeup call to all Nigerians, at home and in diaspora to change our ways for the good of the country.

Obafemi Adenuga Managing Director, Femade (UK) Limited

There are some Nigerians, particularly in Northern Nigeria that have genuine reasons to seek political asylum as a result of Boko Haram. A genuine claim for asylum must not be disregarded because it may be perceived that the claim for asylum is used as a disguise for economic hardship.
It is unfortunate that some have negative perceptions of Nigerian diaspora. However, more often than not the negative actions of a few creates the assumed image of a whole group. For example, the U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and his followers have stereotyped all Muslims as terrorist based on the actions of some.
However, I agree. The statement of President Muhammadu Buhari is valid; that the nation would benefit from the skills and knowledge of Nigerian diaspora in rebuilding the country.

Adebayo Adeyeye a UK resident.

 

My views are slightly different from those of other people I have heard or read on this matter.  First of all, I believe the President means very well for Nigeria and for Nigerians. I suspect also, that he is deeply frustrated at what he has met on the ground. The truth is that some of our people have almost ruined our commonwealth. The extent of the rot and of the thieving from Nigerian politicians, elites and their collaborators is mind blowing. However I believe it’s a bad mistake this statement was made openly in a foreign country like the UK where the mainstream media celebrates our failures. If anyone should say something like this at all, it cannot be Mr. President. Many people, who know me, know that when I was Chairman of a community association, I went around highlighting the good qualities within my community even though I complained bitterly about some of the attitudes of people privately.

Perhaps the most dangerous part of this statement is the danger it portends for very hardworking Nigerians in the Diaspora and for those who genuinely seek asylum and who have genuine reasons to be outside of Nigeria. For instance, Nigerians in the UK are some of the most hardworking people you can ever find in any part of the world. Many have conquered adversity, tribalism from home, and then racism in a foreign country and have worked so hard to get to the peak of their career while others are working hard to climb to the top of the ladder. Surely, these are not the people being referred to by Mr. President? The good guys are in the majority and the few ugly ones that give us a bad name are in the extreme minority.

That is why this statement is unfortunate. However, My take is that we must learn to forgive our President, knowing that he has zero tolerance for any form of corruption and loves his country so well but is frustrated by the antics of a few.

Bimbo Roberts Folayan FIIM, (MBCS CITP)
is the Executive Director, Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit
(NDDIS) and Immediate Past Chairman, (2011-2015), Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK).

 

Contrary to what President Buhari said during his interview with Telegraph on the 8^th February 2016, I believe that Nigerians in Diaspora, especially those in the UK are law abiding citizens and will not recourse to start fighting for a course which will not benefit them in any way whatsoever.

However we have children of Nigerian parentage who are involved in serious crimes such as drugs, human trafficking and gangs’ killings majority of who are now locked up in prison. Some of these people will not be committing these crimes in the first place to end up in prison if the situations at home are better for them.

If the amount of stolen money being discovered by President Buhari’s admiration can be return to Nigeria, then Nigeria can be great again. He can use the money to develop the desperately needed infrastructural development such as Electricity, Roads, Railways, Schools, Universities, Hospitals, Health Centres and provide proper education to move the country forward. We also need to explore the non-oil sector such as agriculture, mineral and tourism to improve revenue collection. The country can take advantage of the human and material resources available in our country so that we can stop depending on imported goods from China and India.

We have plenty of Nigerian professionals in the UK and across the world doing fantastic things for their adopted countries. Like China and India who built their countries into fast-growing economies because they involve their people abroad to bring back the knowledge and experience they have acquired. The Nigeria government must take advantage of their citizens in Diaspora.

Finally, I would like to assure President Buhari that Nigerians in Diaspora are unrelenting in their commitment to hard work as the basis for sustainable development and good living. Our spirit of self-help and community development is also legendary and if he makes the situation better by eliminating corruption and makes funds available for developments, we are more than ready to pack our bags and return home to help him build a better country under his leadership.

Dr. Sunday Popoola is a lecturer at the Imperial College, London.

 

President Buhari deserves forgiveness not so much for his choice of words (as reported)  in suggesting that responsibility for Nigerians in Diaspora not being accepted in their host countries lies with the criminal elements amongst them. No one will dispute with him that criminals are not the best ambassadors of any community but to say that the Nigerian prison community abroad are the ones to blame for the poor reception afforded to the larger Diaspora is entirely wrong. If truth be told, the ones to blame are the Nigerians at home who should have been in prison for the grand larceny they have been committing over the years and whose lawlessness has bred the contempt of the international press. It is a common failing of the political class at home who have no experience of the challenges of making a living in another man’s land; these have always had the luxury of playing their matches before a home crowd and have no sense of how different the game is when you are playing away. However the Diaspora should not judge Buhari too harshly. He has, after all, shown confidence in us by appointing one of our own, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, to a major ministerial office as Finance Minister.

Dele Ogun is a Senior Partner at Akin Palmer LLP

 

I had read and listened to comments made by Nigerians on PMB’s Telegraph interview labelling Nigerian’s abroad as Criminals and if I am being honest,  I was really very indifferent towards the topic due to the fact that l know for a fact that most Nigerians only hear what they want to hear. I later watched and also read the full interview on a link via African Voice Newspaper online and just as I thought, PMB never labelled Nigerian’s abroad as criminals. In my opinion, PMB only stated the obvious of what was the painful truth. Are several Nigerians abroad in prisons charged for one crime or the other? The answer is YES. So I cannot really understand what is being implied by some people about PMB’s interview and why some group of people have decided to twist, manipulate and misconstrue PMG’S comments. However, I find it rather strange and highly unprofessional and unacceptable that there has been no press release via PMB’S press secretary in regards to this issue.

Busola Okuneye is an administrator at the NHS.

 

I have heard but not read PMB’s alleged brandishing of Nigerians as ‘thieves’. I read through a portion of the Press interview granted The Telegraph, UK. Perhaps the first lesson here is that The Presidency needs to give recognition to the Nigerian newsgroup in the UK by granting such interviews, at the very least on multi-press platform. It is much easier to hold these responsible for mis-information.

It cannot also be negated that some people will seek to ‘tone’ the language of interview to suit their own purposes. Nevertheless, I very much believe that PMB is sufficiently schooled a patriot not to utter derogatory remarks on the nation he governs.

There is certainly need, as the interview shows, that the image of Nigeria is better re-branded under the collective will and strengths of the people, and not on the sleeves of international empathy. PMB requires a philosophy based on an ideology to strategise his rulership more effectively especially in the face of few but unbelievably resourceful opposition.

Peter Olorunnisomo is a writer, Consultant.

 

In my view, Colin Freeman of the Telegraph set out carefully thought-out political questions for President Buhari.

There was complete honesty in the answers that our President gave in respect of all the niggling questions. He was direct in stating that he has not asked for additional military help from any quarters. He accepted that Nigerians may be finding their ways into Syria and may be involved with Isis.

The President was emphatic in rejecting a suggestion that Nigerian diaspora in the UK may have engaged with Boko Haram in any way. On the migrant routes He encouraged Nigerians to stay at home and join with his administration to build the country as their services are required. His government is working towards improving the situation at home. He was honest in accepting that Nigeria’s image abroad needs improvement. The fight against corruption is part of image cleaning.

What else can an excellent leader do.

A. Oladimeji, Chairman NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF ELDERS UK

 

“I have read various supposed original and twisted versions of the interview and can only say that the reactions are totally wrong. In my view, the misinterpretation is the mischievous hand work of some unscrupulous Nigerians who are minded to continue to damage the image of Nigeria for reasons best known to them.  We must learn to be patriotic and always protect the image of Nigeria.

Additionally, in every country you have the good, the bad and the ugly and Nigeria is no exception. Therefore although the Western press is usually biased when reporting issues concerning Nigerians, it is fair to say that many of us have given them good reasons to do so. We cannot then deny the truth if we truly want to be believed. So going by what the press say about us in the UK Mr President was not wrong. Many of us have been getting ourselves into many bad things. If we want to enjoy the President and other people’s respect, then we must clean up and reclaim our image.

It is also important to note that there are many good hard working Nigerians in the UK who must be celebrated and respected for what they do and give to the British society.

Jenny Okafor is a UK based Solicitor

 

As the Chairman of the largest Nigerian community organisation in the U.K, CANUK, my attention has been drawn to the reaction by a large number of diasporans to the comments made by President Muhammadu Buhari this week in an interview with the Telegraph newspaper.

President Buhari touched on a very sensitive subject in regards to various reports of criminality attributed to Nigerians abroad and the negative image it has created for us. People have gone as far as to accuse the president of labelling all Nigerians as criminals.

I feel that the president’ comments in the interview was taken out of context. We cannot hide from that truth that the activities of a few individuals are helping to tarnish the names of Nigerians around the world, but it is up to us to continue to promote the positivity, resourcefulness and creativity of Nigerian in the diaspora in order to counteract these negative perceptions.

Yes there are some Nigerians abroad who have chosen to involve themselves in nefarious activities for cheap and quick financial gains, but at the same time the vast majority of Nigerians living abroad are Professionals, hardworking, law abiding and devoted members of the communities they inhabit.

We caution our community to not be so hasty in the condemning the president’s comments as we must undergo some soul searching on the real issues that affect our community, with criminality being one of them.

As CANUK chairman, one of my cardinal objectives has always been to help in reducing the cases of crime committed by Nigerians in the UK.  With our combined efforts I truly believe we can make a positive impact in changing the perception of Nigerians in the diaspora and create a better society for all.

Babatunde Loye is the current Chairman of Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK).

 

Buhari didn’t refer to all Nigerians as criminals — Presidency

In a press statement made available to the press on Tuesday by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, noted that the wave of negative reactions to the President’s remarks about the reputation of Nigerians abroad was a result of incomplete understanding of President Buhari’s point.

“President Buhari was asked about the flood of migrants from Nigeria and the fraudulent applications for asylum put in by people desperate to leave their motherland at any cost, and it was this question that elicited his response,” he said, encouraging Nigerians to avail themselves of a full text of the interview, which has now been made available on the Telegraph’s website.

Mr Shehu added that it was preposterous for anyone to imagine that the president of Nigeria would describe all the citizens of the country he leads as criminals, when he himself is a Nigerian–obviously not a criminal–and when there are many Nigerians of honest living making their country proud all over the world.

“Unfortunately, there are also Nigerians giving their country a bad image abroad, and it is to those Nigerians that the President referred in his comments,” he said, adding that people may play politics and online games with the President’s comments, but the fact of the matter remains that Nigeria’s reputation abroad has been severely damaged by her own citizens.

“These Nigerians who leave their country to go and make mischief on foreign shores have given the rest of us a bad reputation that we daily struggle to overcome.”

Mr. Shehu called attention to the many efforts of President Buhari to clean up the image of Nigeria, such as the war on corruption, stating that acknowledging you have a problem is the first step to preferring a solution.

“President Buhari is very aware of the problems the people of Nigeria face both at home and abroad, and he is not shying away from admitting them even as he focuses on solutions to bring them to a permanent end.”