NIGERIA'S IMAGE ABROAD

A lot has been said about Nigerians abroad vis-a-vis their involvement in Scams. While not trying to make excuses without a reasonable basis. I wish to state that Nigeria is the largest and most populous black Country in the World. With an estimated population of almost 150million, there is the general saying that one out of every African is a Nigerian.

Over the years and despite the immense Natural resources Africa is endowed with, we have had the "fortune" of been governed by fraudulent Leaders who find it difficult harnessing our resources for the benefit of all.

Nigeria is the sixth largest producer of Crude Oil in the world. Our Government in collusion with Shell BP and ExxonMobil have perfected the art of corruption to the extent that average Nigerian dont even get to see crumps that fall off the Government's table.

Nigeria has not had it so good within these past years.

Crude Oil prices have hit the roof. Nigerian's 2006 Budget was predicated on $30 per Barrel for brent but we have been raking in Oil revenue at between $70 and $75 per barrel. It is shocking to note that this has not impacted positively on the populace.

The most disheartening is the squalor in which the inhabitants of the Oil producing areas of Nigeria live in.

The rivers in the Niger-Delta region of the Country are overflwing with Crude Oil. These people were predominatly Fishermen before the discovery of CRUDE OIL on their land in 1955. They cannot practice their occupation now because their is no aquatic life in their Rivers, no thanks to Shell and ExxonMobil.

Now, for people that their means of livelihood has been taking from them, what in petes sake do you think they will resort to - crime, hostage taking.

Shell has over the year been paying lip service to the development of these areas. It will interest you to note that these people commute on Cannoes since there are no roads and bridges. Shell Petroleum B.P has been SOCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE in Nigeria. But they have remained untouchable since they have the blessings of Nigerian Government to impoverish its People.

The major Oil Companies need to be Socially responsible to the People in the Niger-Delta. They need to work assiduosly to restore their Topography so that they can be gainfully employed.

Now to the issue of Nigerians involvement in Fraud. It takes two to tango. An infinitesimal percentage of Nigerians are involved in this despicable act. But they find willing accomplices and victims in greedy Westerners who want to reap where they have not sown.

Let us look at the scenerio. A nigerian sends a letter to someone abroad with an offer of crude which he is willing to dispose of at $30 per barrel. Even a Kid knows that the international price of Crude Oil per barrel is in the range of $72.

The Victim will gullibly and with an intent to defraud the Country send an advance fee to the Con-Artist.

The Nigerian Government also needs to act responsibly by showing themselves worthy of the Peoples mandate which was freely given  to them during elections.

If the atmosphere is conducive at home, why will one want to travel abroad.

The Government has set up an anti Corruption Agency to investigate these Frauds.

The Agency's web site is www.efccnigeria.org You can visit this site and report any case of scam involving Nigerians.

If everybody will report attempts by Nigerians to defraud them to the Agency through this site, you will be helping to restore the integrity of those of us Nigerians that make our money through dint of hard work and God's blessing and in few more years, the malaise would be a thing of the past. Nigerians are industrous and very well educated but the bane of the people over the years has been the government.