President Muhammadu Buhari has heaped praises on two airport workers who recently found and returned a bag filled with dollars, and other valuables, to its owner.
He urged Nigerians to emulate the two security men who returned the handbag which was filled with valuables and forgotten at the Murtala Muhammed Airport by an American returnee.
He added that such conduct “reflects the new Nigeria that we all desire.”
“Honesty remains the best policy. We must exhibit such behaviour in whatever position we find ourselves, whether high or low,” Buhari said.
According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the incident occurred when, “A Lagos-based medical doctor, Banji Oyegbami, met a family returning from America at the airport on August 18, 2018.
“In the process of loading their luggage into the car of their host, the handbag of the returnee’s wife fell, unknown to anyone.
“It was not till 90 minutes later that an officer of Halogen Securities, on duty at the airport, called the couple, to come for the retrieved bag.
“When the bag was eventually collected, the contents, including a handsome amount of American dollars, phone, wristwatch, and other valuables were intact. The grateful couple offered a generous gift, but Messrs Francis Emepueaku and Achi Daniel, declined, saying they were merely doing their duties.”
President Buhari said the security men could have chosen to behave differently, following the self-serving principle of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them.’ But they have chosen to be examples of good, honest Nigerians.
“I commend their conduct to the rest of the country.
“Despite the scoffing of a minority number, Nigeria is resolutely on the road to a new dawn,” he said.
The President urged Nigerians to bring out the best in them at all times.
According to him, if they emulate these honest airport workers, Nigeria will no longer be a byword for corruption and plundering of public resources.
CTV
