Nigerians residing Lefkosa district of Northern Cyprus have described claim by the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa about their safety in their country of residence as untrue.
Dabiri-Erewa had about a week ago cautioned Nigerians against going to Northern Cyprus to study, citing high incidents of murder of students in the country.
She also noted that the Nigerian government may not be able to render help to any of her citizens in Northern Cyprus in case of trouble as the country is not recognised by the United Nations.
But in a statement made available to newsmen, the LEFKOSA Coordinator of Nigerian Community in Cyprus Daniel Oyelaja, described the NIDCOM chairperson’s statement as misleading.
Oyelaja said what Abike-Dabiri said about Northern Cyprus is not information, but ‘deformation’.
“The mıs-information about Turkish of Northern Cyprus is uncalled for from Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri,” Oyelaja who added that Northern Cyprus is safer than many parts of Nigeria said.
“We are glad to tell the whole world that Northern Cyprus is safe.Northern Cyprus is safer than any part of Africa
“Northern Cyprus is safer that any part of our country, Nigeria.Northern Cyprus is safer than Northern Nigeria.We are in safe hands here in Northern Cyprus.”
“The people of this country are lovely, kind, understanding and accommodative.
I think this country and all Nigerians in Northern Cyprus deserve an apology from Abike Dabiri for the misinformation that put our friends and families into unrest and worry.
“The major problem here is the high cost of living which is a global challenge.
“Nigerian policy makes it worse by limiting our naira card to $20 per month. That is less than 400TL and 400 TL cannot feed you comfortably for 2 days (#8000).
“I think Nigerian government should focus more on domestic challenges and please make home habitable for every living things as we have in Northern Cyprus.
“We are also using this opportunity to appreciate every citizen of this great country especially the police of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who has really proven to us that Police are truly our friend,” he said.
