This Minister Wonders Why Nigerians Abandon Their Country
Twenty Nigerian nationals currently remain behind the bars of Iranian prisons for engaging in illicit activities, according to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Mrs. Viola Onwuliri.
While speaking to journalists, the Minister disclosed that 18 out of the 20 Nigerians in Iran prisons are Igbos, adding that most of them are being jailed for trying to obtain money and accumulate riches via unlawful acts.
She also noted that undisclosed number of Nigerians are also serving prison term in other countries in the world.
Briefing the press on the matter, the Minister expressed her surprise over the fact that so many Nigerians abandon their country which "is endowed with abundant natural resources". Parents, according to Onwuliri,
also play a role by "pushing their children outside the country".
The Minister also spoke about the influx of foreign nationals in Nigeria, assuring that "measures are being put in place by the Federal Government" to restrict their rush into the country.
She specifically stressed that "the essence of the measures" is to "avoid a situation where the rush of foreigners would lead to the takeover of jobs meant for Nigerians."
In conclusion, Minister Onwuliri added that "Nigeria would treat any country that treats Nigerians nicely in the same manner."
