Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on Nigerians both at home and abroad to stop speaking ill of the country, urging citizens to promote unity, hope and patriotism in their words and actions.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Umahi expressed disappointment over what he described as a growing culture of negativity among Nigerians. He said, “I feel so sad when people demarket the country both outside and inside Nigeria, cursing without knowledge. This is because a job is very easy when you are not the one doing it. Let there be a rethink.”
The minister encouraged Nigerians to put the nation first and show the fear of God in their dealings. He lamented that many Nigerians respect laws abroad but disregard them at home. “When our people go outside the country, they suffer more; they pass through humiliation and oppression. They work for 19 hours and obey all rules. But when they come here, they break all the rules. That is not good; let us have hope here,” Umahi said, stressing that opportunities abound in Nigeria for those who remain focused.
He advised citizens to remain optimistic and to engage in constructive criticism rather than destructive attacks. According to him, “Forgiveness sets the captive free, and when you are forgiven, you will find that you were the captive. Let us work with the fear of God and support our government.”
Umahi also commended President Bola Tinubu for his courage and resilience in steering the country through what he described as a difficult economic situation inherited from the previous administration. He said, “The president is not complaining, despite the challenges. What we inherited was terrible, but we shall overcome it.”
Highlighting progress under Tinubu’s economic reforms, Umahi noted that inflation has dropped, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has risen above 4.2 per cent, and foreign reserves have grown by over 42 per cent. He said these were signs that the economy was stabilizing. “The worst is over. The darkest part of the morning is the dawn. With hard work, Nigeria will rise again,” he concluded.