See English translation below:



No one is selling drugs in Nigeria

Nigeria is currently entangled in two issues in which the country could be discussed. First as a football nation.

Dr. Ugokwe: Its true that at the Olympic Nigeria will once again win the gold medal in football like we did in 1996 in Atlanta.

Does football unite the different ethic groups in your country?

Dr. Ugokwe: Absolutely, everyone wants to win. At this point in time ethnicity plays no role.

Another area in which Nigeria appears is in the ongoing campaign for the National Assembly Election. In this campaign, Nigerian immigrants are portrayed as drug dealers.

Dr. Ugokwe:  I am fully aware of this negative stereotyping. But allow me to openly say a word. No one is selling drugs in Nigeria. We have a very strict law which abhors the use of drugs. But here, there is a large market for drugs that makes it possible to earn money from the trade. And this is the main reason those involved are doing so. The fight against drug use must be wedged from the root by dealing squarely with drug users

To another topic, where can you recommend as holiday resort to Austrians wishing to visit your country:

Ugokwe:  Nigeria is the first choice of any tourist visiting Africa.

Must one not develop fears for unforeseen unrest due to unequal distribution of wealth in your country?

Ugokwe:  Since nine years now, we are living in a democratic society and this is the longest period of democracy Nigeria has ever had. Naturally all is not yet perfect. But give us a couple of years more. Nigerians are better off than what the Western Press is portraying them to be.