Following allegations that Nigerians were being slain in Northern Cyprus, Nigerians have been advised from visiting the country.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), told State House reporters on Thursday in Abuja that the federal government was unable to diplomatically settle problems in the region since Northern Cyprus is not recognized by anyone outside of Turkey.
Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa made an appeal to Nigerians living abroad to come back and invest instead, telling them that the government would secure their money as it worked to fix the nation’s security problems.
The Chairman also urged Nigerians to stop damaging their nation’s reputation because doing so prevents international investment and citizens’ advancement.
At a media briefing in Abuja to discuss the work of her commission, Dabiri-Erewa highlighted her anger over the challenges Nigerians were encountering when applying for visas, which she blamed on a few people’s unfavorable perceptions of the nation.
She said individuals who promoted lies and exaggerations on social media and in traditional media should be aware of how their actions were causing the death of their nation and its people.
NiDCOM Chairman explained that foreigners and even Nigerians in the diaspora wanting to invest in the country were being dissuaded from doing so by such indecent publications.
Mrs Dabiri called on Nigerians to be patriotic enough to save and promote their country’s image, observing that outsiders’ perception of Nigeria will propel them into treating Nigerians abroad scornfully.
