We are not all criminals, says Nigerian student in Japan

A Nigerian student in Japan, Ikenna Nweke, has said Nigeria is not a country of criminals.

Nweke who is a PhD student had on his way home found a wallet containing money. But rather than keep it to himself, he not returned it and refused to collect a percentage of the money that he is entitled to by Japanese law.

The police than lauded his honesty. President Muhammadu Buhari had also at the weekend in a statement commended him for his gesture.

Nweke had told a television station that he refused to take the money and the percentage he was offered because he is a Christian.

He said Nigeria is a country of “wonderful” people and the “criminal elements” are but a “tiny fraction” who do not give a true picture of its citizens.

“On June 19, as I was coming home at about 7pm, I wanted to buy kebab for my wife, when I approached the shop in the centre I saw a purse and I picked it up. When I opened it, it contained [a] huge sum of money, queen’s cards and other valuables. I was sure that the owner was looking for the money, I was sure the owner was heartbroken then I took the money to the police station.

“On getting to the police station, the police officer asked why I did not take the money, I told him that I was raised by a decent family and that my faith as a Christian forbade me from taking anything. Then I handed over everything to him and he took my information and everything about me and then told me about my rights as somebody who has found something that was missing.

“He told me that I was entitled to 10 percent of the money and that if the owner of the money does not come to pick the money after three months, that the whole money will be mine.

“Both offers were rejected by me. I rejected those offers because I am a Christian, I rejected those offers because I was raised by a very decent family. I rejected those offers because I’m a Nigerian.

“Here is a message for every Nigerian that should maintain, protect the image of our nation wherever we are. Especially those in diaspora, we are the Nigerian people know. When we do something bad abroad it reflects on the image of the nation.

“This is a message for non-Nigerians who think that every Nigerian is a criminal. That is not true. Nigeria is a country of about 200 million people. Two hundred million wonderful people.

“There are some criminal elements in Nigeria, I must admit, and these criminal elements are found in every part of the world. These criminal elements are just a tiny fraction, they do not represent who we are, they do not speak for us. They are not a true reflection of who Nigerians are.”

Buhari had in a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, said “positive spotlight and close-up on its real values, clearly signposts what should hold the nation together, inspired by solid foundations laid by most families, religious bodies and communities for success in life.”