Minister of Information Labaran Maku on Monday described as “shameful’’ the attitude of some Nigerians who make it a duty to run down the country in the U.S.
Speaking in New York while reacting to an online media report that he abandoned Nigeria’s Independence celebration in New York because of a protest by a few individuals, Maku?described the report as “an?unprofessional’’ way? of practising journalism.
“Honestly speaking, I wouldn’t say that I am disappointed but I would rather say that it is really a shame that there are Nigerians here who make it a duty to run down the country in the U.S.
“They came for the independence anniversary celebration and left before the event started only to later file rumours on their platform.
“In the first instance, it would have been understandable if I was not personally in New York, I would have then believed the report and the previous reports they had been sending from the U.S. about then activities of Nigerian officials who come here for functions.
“As you can see I am still in New York. You can also testify that editors of?Sahara reporters and three other people who came with them with placards were unable to disrupt the gathering of thousands of Nigerians who came for the celebrations.
“You can also testify as journalists that apart from the nuisance value which their presence may have attracted, hardly anybody who attended the event was aware that they were even there, Maku said.
The Minister noted that when the organisers of the event wanted to chase the editors and their group out, he intervened, and allowed them to stay with their placards.
“And I also said well Nigeria now operates a democracy and people have the right to think differently, so when I said that they now had the opportunity to stay, and when they found out that people were ignoring them, they left the event before it really
began.
“We were there with the Amb. Ade Adefuye and Amb. Usman Sarki, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN.
“We socialised; dancing and singing as Nigerians enjoyed themselves.
“Nigerians showed a lot of interest in what is happening in the country and during all these events we did not see the editors?and their friends among the crowd,’’ Maku added.
He reiterated that at the event he told Nigerians to keep faith with their country, to behave well in the U.S. and pursue their careers with honour and integrity and also to?contribute positively to the development of their country.
The Minister explained that contrary to predictions about Nigeria, the nation was changing rapidly and that one could also see evidence that Nigerian in U.S. ===were awareness of developments in the country.
They also showed that they were aware of commitment of the government to carry out reforms that would place the Nigerian economy and society on a steady part to national development.
“We are also beginning to see a government in Nigeria that is determined to reform the system, and improve on our democratic standards.
“We are beginning to see a freer and cleaner elections in Nigeria which was hardly the case before,’’ he said. (NAN)