President Muhammadu Buhari has encouraged Nigerians resident in Benin Republic to stay back in the country for now incase they are planning to return to Nigeria.
The president made the statement on Saturday he met with Nigerians living in the tiny West African nation. When asked on what his government was doing to facilitate the return of some of them who wants to come back to Nigeria.
Buhari said, “I believe a lot of you are doing well and are better off here. So, the question of facilitating your coming home does not arise.’
“We don’t want you to come back home and be unemployed. Don’t come and add to our problems. If you have something doing here please continue doing it.”
According to The Nation, the president however promised to facilitate the establishment of two new consulates in Benin next year if the request passes through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said, “I think I will direct your ambassador to make the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that by the time we are doing the next budget, it would be included. Although we are trying to cut down on the number of ministries, the morale of Nigerians in diaspora must be considered.
“This is because we are so many. We are aggressive whether in business or other facets of life. So, we as a government will do everything possible to look after Nigerians wherever they are.”
Buhari further advised Nigerians in the country to respect their hosts culture and laws noting that that there were a number of problems in South Africa which did not portray Nigerians in good light.
“Some of them are in prison for committing a number of crimes. But for you who are so close home, you should do your best in being good ambassadors of the country,” the president said.
Buhari was honoured with the National Order of the Great Cross, by his Beninoise counterpart, Boni Yayi, during his visit to the country.
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