Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has warned against attributing the actions of individuals to entire ethnic groups, especially in the context of Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with foreign countries.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Newsday on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that criminal behavior should not be generalized or linked to any ethnic group. “Crime has no federal character,” she said, adding that each individual must be judged by their actions, not by ethnicity.
She noted that just as Nigeria constantly appeals to host countries not to judge all Nigerians by the actions of a few, citizens at home must also refrain from stereotyping any ethnic group based on isolated incidents.
“Anyone who commits a crime should be held accountable and punished accordingly, but the few bad ones should not tarnish the image of the many good,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens abroad, stressing that no Nigerian should be punished for an offence they did not commit. At the same time, she urged Nigerians living overseas to respect the laws of their host countries.
Providing updates on Nigerians recently rescued from the Central African Republic (CAR), she said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that they be safely repatriated, following their evacuation and shelter by the Nigerian Embassy.
Addressing the situation in Libya, Dabiri-Erewa warned Nigerians against falling prey to human traffickers and unscrupulous agents. She called on the media to highlight positive stories about Nigerians, stating, “Bad news travels fast. Nobody will celebrate us but ourselves.”
