Remawa posted on March 23, 2009 13:02
The Honorable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has condemned the actions of Nigerian citizens who defame the country in a bid to get the passport of or gain acceptance in foreign countries.
He was particularly miffed that a Nigerian citizen in Ireland alleged that the practice of female genital mutilation was up to 40%, saying such acts of sabotage served to destroy the cordial relationship between Nigeria and other nations.
The Minister spoke on Friday (20/03/09) when he received in his office an economic delegation from Ireland in Nigeria to discuss business and, as well as immigration and consular matters.
He disclosed that he had directed the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Human Rights Commission (HRC) to investigate this matter and report back to him. He however advised foreign countries and donor agencies to verify from the relevant offices and agencies, the veracity of such claims before proffering passports or donations.
The Attorney General pledged the assistance of Nigeria to Ireland in resolving the matter, adding that Government had strengthened NAPTIP and the Human Rights Commission to ensure Nigeria’s full cooperation with international communities, especially ensuring that Nigerians do not migrate to other countries without valid reasons and valid papers.
He said Nigeria was open to investments in all sectors of the economy, especially in the gas industry, and also guaranteed sanctity of investment. The Minister assured the Irish delegation that there would be no encumbrances in recovering their investments.
Earlier, in an address, the leader of the delegation, Irish Minister of Integration, Connor Lenihan, said they were in Nigeria to seek opportunities for investment, as well as bilateral trading and diplomatic relationship in view of the large scale migration of Nigerians to Ireland.
He disclosed that there are about 40,000 Nigerians living in Ireland and visible in industries ranging from ICT, banking and capital employment, as well as soccer where young Nigerians aged 13 to nine hold sway in the Irish junior international side.
Lenihan said the success of Nigerian integration and migration to Ireland is told in the story of a young Nigerian, Clement …, who came to Ireland in 1999 and was two years ago appointed the Senior Policy Adviser on Integration and Migration Issues.
He praised Nigeria’s ambassador to Ireland, Kema Chikwe, who he said had been on her toes since she arrived Ireland and successfully put the delegation together.
He stated that the delegation would go back to Ireland as Nigeria’s business ambassador with tales of the new investment climate of openness and transparency in the country.