By Bashir Aliyu
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry has condemned the racist treatment Nigerian player, Victor Osimhen by his team Napoli after the player missed a penalty in a goalless match against Bologna last week.
In a statement signed by Special Adviser to the Nigerian Foreign Minister on Media and Communication Strategies, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar said Nigerians must treated with respect abroad and the country calls on international community to respect the values of human rights.
Below is the full statement release:
“The Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said Nigerian sports men and women in the diaspora must be treated with dignity. The Minsiter made the assertion Friday morning against the background of viral video trolling Super Eagles star and forward Victor Osimhen over missing a penalty kick in a football match against Bologna.
The matter Ambassador Tuggar said falls under the 4Ds Strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also known as the Tinubu doctrine it mainstreams Democracy, Development, Diaspora and Demography as part of its outward looking objectives.
The Diaspora component which considers the life and dignity of every Nigerian in Diaspora sacrosanct and deserving of respect and dignity in accordance with the universal declaration of human rights.
He advised the international community to uphold the values of human rights across board “When we go about our duties interacting with diaspora communities whether Nigerians or not we should always remember article 1 of the Universal Declaration of human rights that All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”
He further stated that by the foregoing “Napoli did not act in the spirit of brotherhood by the mocking of her star player Victor Osimhen, especially after he had helped the team to win a much sought after Serie A Championship last season”.
The Nigerian government shall continue to monitor happenings not only in Napoli but around the world on how her sports men and women are treated and all other citizens of the Nigerian diaspora, and will waste no time in seeking redress of such mistreatments.”
Alkasim Abdulkadir
Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy
To the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs
