President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the exaggerated reports on corruption in Nigeria have taken a toll on the image of the country.
Speaking at a meeting with the Nigerian community in Namibia, the president noted that the sensationalisation of corruption in the country has stigmatised its people.
He said though his administration would not condone the menace, using big stick will not be a solution to ending corruption.
Rather, he said government would continue to strengthen relevant institutions in nipping the
menace in the bud.
He called on every Nigerian to resolve to do the right thing and support the government in its efforts at building a new Nigeria.
According to the president, if the citizens extend their cooperation to government in the fight against corruption, the nation would be completely transformed in the next ten years.
He said: “The green passport should be a symbol of honour, respect and dignity, not humiliation.”
He stressed that Nigeria is a great country and with certain definite steps the administration is taking, it would take its rightful position in the globe.
He assured the Nigerian community in Namibia that with all the political tension being created by the opposition in the country, he would not play politics with the development of the nation.
He said that government had taken pragmatic steps to end the challenges of oil theft and piracy before 2015.
Earlier, the Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr Olusegun Aganga, had told the Nigerian community in the Southern African country that a lot of opportunities were available for them in Nigeria and they could key into the transformation agenda of the government even from their countries of residence.
He said with the signing of 11 Memorandum of Understanding between both countries opportunities abound for them to tap into it to make money and contribute positively to national development.
The Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia, Dr Biodun Olorunfemi, disclosed that 2000 Nigerians are resident in Namibia and they have been good ambassadors of the nation without any bad record.
The ambassador said there is no single Nigerian in the Namibian prison and most of the people are contributing positively to the development of the country in various sectors.
He disclosed that the Surveyor‑General of Namibia, Dr Ugochukwu Okafor, is a Nigerian while the President General of the Nigerian Community, Alhaji Buba Maidugu works as a principal officer in the office of the Prime Minister of Namibia.
Maidugu in his earlier address, said that he was sent by the federal government to Namibia 24 years ago in company of 49 others, specifically for capacity building, when the country gained independence,
He said that when they came, Mathematics and science subjects were exclusive reserve of the colonial whites while the few Namibians in schools were forced to read other subjects.
Maidugu said his team started the teaching of Mathematics and Sciences in Namibian schools and have graduated many Namibians Doctors and Scientists.
He said that between 1995 and 2000, all hospitals in Namibia were managed by Nigerian Doctors.
Okafor, the Namibian Surveyor General commended President jonathan on the privatisation of the power sector. He also suggested the setting up of special tribunal to be presided over by retired judges in trying corruption cases.