Minister of Works David Umahi has called on Nigerians at home and abroad to stop de-marketing the country, urging them to rather promote national unity, optimism and patriotism.

Umahi, who stated this in interview in Abuja Sunday evening decried what he described as a growing culture of negativity and public condemnation of Nigeria.

“I feel so sad when people de-market the country both outside and inside Nigeria, cursing without knowledge.

“This is because a job is very easy when you are not the one doing it. Let there be a rethink.

“We are all journeying through this life and there is a need to have lasting treasures beyond this life by putting Nigeria first, by being your brother’s keeper, by doing things with the fear of God.

“I wonder that when our people go outside the country, they suffer more; they pass through all kinds of humiliations and oppressions; they work sometimes for 19 hours and they obey all the rules.

“But when they come here, they break all the rules. That is not good; let us have hope here. This is the only country you can make 100 per cent doing a job, whereas you can’t make more than 10 per cent outside the country,” he said.

He said there are lots of opportunities in Nigeria, stressing, however, that people would not see the light if they decided to close their eyes.

He urged Nigerians to be optimistic, forward-looking and have love for themselves because approaching issues with bitterness and being unappreciative would not do anybody any good.

“There is a saying that ‘forgiveness sets the captive free’, and when you are forgiven, you will find out that you were the captive.

“So let us work with the fear of God and support our government, and of course, engage in constructive criticism. Nigeria is great again,” he said.

Umahi praised President Bola Tinubu’s resilience and commitment in the face of what he described as a terrible economic situation inherited from the previous administration. (NAN)