London – At the last meeting of Nigerians living in diaspora, members unanimously agreed to stop sending money home to Nigeria.
This indefinite strike follows statements accredited to the Director-General (DG), Budget Office of the Federation, Dr Bright Okogu.
At a press briefing, Dr Okugu said:
"To survive the harsh economic climate abroad, Nigerians now beg their relations at home to send money to them. This is what I have seen, this is what I have heard, and it is as bad as that."
He also revealed that due to the harsh economic climate abroad, remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora have reduced from $12 billion to about $5 billion annually.
Speaking on why his association has decided to stop sending money home, Mr Adekunle Ojo, A.K.A Ade Hackney, said:
"No o! It is not that we are angry that the man called us beggars. It is just that before now we did not know how much we were sending home. $12 billion yearly! Can you imagine? That is how much we have been sending home.
"Thanks to the man, we now know the reason some of us are struggling with debt over here. $12 billion yearly! Haba! That is why I haven't finished paying my mortgage now!"