Yemi Osinbajo, the vice president, stated on Monday in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, that while a small number of Nigerians damage their nation’s reputation overseas, the vast majority of them are honest, industrious, and straightforward individuals who are having a beneficial impact on the world.
The VP remarked in an interactive session with some leaders of Nigerian organisations throughout several provinces in Canada, “The vast majority of Nigerians all over are honest, straightforward people striving to survive in those locations and be responsible citizens wherever they find themselves.”
This is said in a statement headed “Osinbajo commends Nigerians abroad, says majority honest, hardworking & flourishing,” which was signed on Tuesday by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the VP on Media and Publicity.
He said, “What you usually find is that the damage is done by a small number of people. Out of that, there is a negative characterization.
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He also asked Nigerians abroad to interact with one another “to ensure that people recognize the damage that is being done to society” in order to stop this.
The ability to self-regulate in our communities is more essential than preventing people from committing crimes, and we can interact with our people and have a lot more open and honest dialogues about it.
So that Nigerians are not singled out, we must engage other nations as well. Working with embassies in other nations to ensure that Nigerians are given a fair shot and that there is no negative profile of Nigerians is something we have been doing, he continued.
Additionally, Osinbajo disclosed that the Federal Government had ties to universities like Carleton University in Ottawa and Queen’s University in Kingston that offer training courses to Nigerians.
Osinbajo stated that populous nations all share comparable worries about talent drain, citing China and India as examples.
“This is the reason you have a sizable Indian and Chinese diaspora.
“What is crucial is that we train our people well so that they may find well-paying employment wherever they go and don’t end up working tasks that are much below their dignity.
The more training we are able to conduct, the more partnership we are able to have, and the better it is for us all, the vice president added. “We already have a wealth of talent and expertise in the diaspora everywhere.”
Adeyinka Asekun, the high commissioner for Nigeria, mentioned in his remarks that Nigerians residing in Canada would soon be able to apply for 10-year passport booklets, as Canada will be the third nation to implement the procedure after the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The VP met with Kaycee Madu, the deputy premier of Alberta, and Ako Ufodike, a deputy minister in Alberta, both of whom hold high-ranking roles in the government.
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The Canadian Minister of Housing, Diversity, and Inclusion, Ahmed Hussein, as well as Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, Special Advisor for Economic Matters, Mrs. Mariam Uwais, and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Special Advisor for Ease of Doing Business, attended the interactive meeting.
Others were Obioma Nzwewuji, Minister at the Nigerian High Commission in Canada; Taiwo Odutola, Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria-Canada Trade Investment Group; and the presidents of the Nigeria-Canada Associations from every province in Canada.
The vice president is currently in the nation of North America on a three-day visit.
Later this week, he’s anticipated to return to Abuja.
