The mistreatment of Nigerian citizens while abroad has prompted a warning from the government, with Victor Osimhen being cited as a recent victim. It is crucial to treat everyone with respect and dignity, irrespective of their country of origin.
Victor Osimhen in action against Udinese.
The ill-treatment of Nigerians living abroad has been warned against by the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. He stressed the importance of treating Nigerian athletes residing in other countries with respect and dignity.
The minister’s statement was made in response to a video that went viral on Napoli’s TikTok account, which mocked Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, for missing a penalty kick during a match against Bologna.
In a press release issued by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister stated that the life and dignity of every Nigerian in the Diaspora should be respected, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additionally, he reminded everyone that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, according to Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“They are endowed with reason and conscience, and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
The minister added, “Napoli did not act in the spirit of brotherhood by mocking her star player, Victor Osimhen, who was instrumental to the team winning the Serie A championship last season.”
Abdulkadir noted that the Federal Government and Nigeria’s embassies would continue to monitor happenings not only in Napoli, but around the world on how her sportsmen and women and all other citizens in the Diaspora were being treated, and would waste no time in seeking redress of such maltreatments.