Reports being circulated on social media that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump allegedly made some negative remarks about Nigeria and Nigerians are unfounded and should be disregarded, a Nigerian community leader in U.S., Michael Adeniyi, has said.
Adeniyi, former President of a Nigerian U.S.-based group, the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians Inc. (OAN Inc), told the North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the remarks credited to Trump were untrue.
According to him, it was invented by jesters to play on the fears that some Nigerians have about Trump’s Presidency.
Adeniyi, however, regretted that it was a joke taken too far as it was now instilling fears into the minds of Nigerians.
He, therefore, appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to desist from further spreading it as it was demeaning and castigating the country and its law-abiding citizens.
“The news item that was circulated on the social media about Trump particularly attacking Nigeria was unfounded and untrue.
“There was nothing true about it and he never said anything about Nigeria.
“He talked generally about immigrants and about building walls on U.S. border with Mexico in particular because they share borders but he never said anything about Nigeria.
“It was just a joke over-celebrated. The jesters were just playing on Nigerians’ fears but the said statement about Nigeria and the said event never happened’” Adeniyi said.
He said that Nigerians in the U.S. were among the best brains who were excelling as recognised and respected professionals in all sectors in the country.
Adeniyi urged all law-abiding Nigerians not to lose the sight of realising their potential or pursue their legitimate dreams in the U.S. and anywhere in the world.
According to him, Nigerians in the U.S. will continue to contribute positively and represent Nigeria as the country’s ambassadors to the best of their ability everywhere they are found in the country.
The U.S. Nigerian community leader said the report had the ability to hinder the high aspirations of Nigerians and advised well-meaning Nigerians against further spreading it.
Adeniyi assured that the excellence of Nigerians in the U.S. would not diminish under Trump, saying that on the contrary, Nigerians were looking at the opportunities the Trump’s administration would offer and take advantage of it.
According to him, Nigerians will once again contribute and perform outstandingly during and after Trump’s presidency adding, nothing will deter them from pursuing and realising their legitimate dreams and potential.
NAN reports that Trump has reportedly appointed a Nigerian, Bayo Ogunlesi, as a member of his Economic Advisory Team, which many said could signal a positive indication for Nigeria and Nigerians during Trump’s presidency. (NAN)