Cybercrime Suspects On FBI’s List Not Typical Nigerians — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has almost disowned the Nigerian
cybercrime suspects who were recently revealed as being on the
watch list of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI).

Speaking on Thursday in Yokohama, Japan, President Buhari noted
that the suspects did not represent the core values of
Nigerians.

Although he conceded that some Nigerians had become a source of
embarrassment to the country, he said their number was not
significant enough to define Nigeria as a country of people with
dubious character.

Buhari rose to the defence of Nigeria when he met with leaders
of the Nigerian community living in Japan on the sideline of the
Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development
(TICAD7).

Recall that about 80 Nigerians were alleged to have engaged in
illicit financial crimes abroad for which the American government
was set to prosecute them in accordance with their legal
system.

Buhari said: “Let me also say that there are few Nigerians in
the Diaspora that are giving us a bad name by engaging in criminal
activities. These Nigerians are a minority; they do not represent
the values of our country, and I plead with them to change their
ways.”

Talking tough, he said: “We will not condone any crime, whether
at home or abroad, and we will also not allow these Nigerians
define us as a people with reputation for criminality.”

He pleaded with Nigerians in Japan to be good ambassadors of
their fatherland saying, “I am personally very happy that there are
millions of Nigerians all over the world, like you here, who are
truly making us proud.”

He said majority of the over 17 million Nigerians in Diaspora
should consider themselves as “the face of Nigeria globally and our
ambassadors for good image”.

He added: “Many of our Diasporans, like your good selves here
today, have excelled in varying fields of endeavour, both
professionally and individually.

“You have also made significant and overwhelming positive
contributions to your Nigerian and international host
communities.

“You have continually been a positive bridge between Nigeria and
the world. It is not an easy feat and we commend you, salute your
courage and efforts.”

Buhari also noted that Japan was at the cutting edge of
technology and efficiency, two very important attributes that could
play a role in Nigeria and improve our capacity for
development.

President Buhari urged members of his audience to continue to
contribute their quota by helping to develop their host country and
Nigeria as well.

“I look forward to your inborn gift, ability, and capacity in
taking up this challenge,” he said.

He commended many of them who were already “positively impacting
the Nigerian economy through financial home remittances, promoting
international trade in Nigerian commodities, our music, culture,
tourism, sports, and education, while also helping to establish
industries in Nigeria”.

The president urged them “to encourage legitimate Japanese
entrepreneurs to come and invest in Nigeria”.

According to him, “We are continually working to create the
necessary enabling environment for investors to thrive, through
improvements in our Ease of Doing Business practices, providing
security, diversification of the economy, infrastructure and
fighting corruption.”

He further assured them that “we have put in place the Economic
Recovery and Growth Plan (ERPG) to put the country on a path of
sustained recovery and growth”.

Explaining the rationale for his regular meetings with Nigerians
abroad and the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission, President Buhari said: “As you are aware, I have
regularly held town hall meetings with Nigerians in the Diaspora on
all my foreign engagements, be they in Europe, Asia, America, and
Africa.

“At these fora, I have always appealed to our citizens to be our
good ambassadors, observe the laws of your host countries, excel in
whatever you do legitimately, and also remember us at home
(Nigeria).

“I have established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission
specifically to engage with you, signifying a coordinated attempt
by our administration to increase the involvement of our Diaspora
in our national development.

“Collectively, your resources, skills, and talents will be a
positive force for our country which can help accelerate our
national growth and development.”

President Buhari’s meeting with Nigerians in Diaspora was
coordinated by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Diaspora Commission,
who described the president as “the most Diaspora-friendly leader
we have had in Nigeria”.

The meeting witnessed a parade of the brightest and best of
Nigerians plying their trade in Japan.

They included academics, industrialists, top businessmen,
scientists, economists, and many others.

Professor Ejiogu Emenike, President, Nigerians in Diaspora
Organisation Asia (NIDOASIA) and an energy expert, commended
President Buhari for efficient leadership, and disclosed that his
members had “comparative advantages in human capital development,
which we are trying to bring back to Nigeria”.

He added: “Any problem that science and technology can solve, we
are able to, and we can help Nigeria in areas of need.”

Engineer Ochade Osakwe, Chairman, Nigeria/Japan Chambers of
Commerce and Industry, recounted businesses that had been attracted
to Nigeria in recent times, promising to do more, as the security
and investment climate back home improve.

Nnaji Fintan, President, Nigerian Union in Japan, asked for more
exploits in the areas of education, quality infrastructure, and
security which, incidentally, are believed to be focal points of
the current administration.