In a day and age where many have discarded the values of honesty and integrity, a few people across the world show up every now and then to restore faith in the good in humanity.
This can be said of a Nigerian lady in the United States who received the whopping sum of $4,000 (N1,524,000) cheque from scammers and returned it to the authorities.
This impressive and mindblowing act of integrity has been rightly applauded by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). It is important that the act is celebrated especially considering how many Nigerians have been painted in a bad light abroad.
In a statement by NIDCOM, the lady identified as Chioma Odidika was applauded by the chairman of the commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for making Nigeria proud with her conduct.
It can be recalled that Erewa also lauded the achievement of a Nigerian-born Canadian, Kaycee Madu, who recently became the Solicitor General for Alberta, Canada.
Chioma, who is based in Columbia, South Carolina, was honoured with Integrity Award by the Sheriff of Richland County and was also offered a job.
Dabiri-Erewa said the award was well deserved, adding that Chioma portrayed what Nigeria is about, which is honesty. Chioma’s actions would also offer a change of perspective to critics who have vilified Nigeria over its rate of producing internet fraudsters.
The chairman of NIDCOM thanked the Imo state indigene for portraying the image of Nigerians in the diaspora as unique, honest and trustworthy immigrants.
She said: “No legacy is as rich as honesty; it remains the best policy. We must continue to exhibit such behaviour in wherever we find ourselves. We must continue to be a good Ambassador to our country.”