Local Newspaper (Neue Vorarlberger Tageszeitung) Report on His Excellency Dr. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe’s Visit to Vorarlberg 19th -22nd  July 2008.  Please see English tranlation below:





                    “Austrians Are Self-contented”

Nigerian Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe complains about Austrians’ attitude to foreigners. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe wanted today by 6 a.m to watch the Olympic men’s football final tournament between Nigeria and Argentina on television.

The Nigerian Ambassador had yesterday as a guest of the “Neue” newspaper betted naturally for the country he is representing. The ethnic unifying Olympic sport as a side talk had relaxed the usual tension associated with interviews. Such a relaxing atmosphere in the relationship between Austria and Nigerian immigrant would have been the ultimate wish of the ambassador. Unfortunately is the host seemingly hostile to foreigners. “Austrians are well contented” and would want to protect their wellbeing Ugokwe saw as the reason behind this attitude.

Austrians could learn a lot in this area from Nigerians who in his opinion are classified among the most friendly and open hearted people of the world. The ambassador called for the liberalisation of Visa for Nigerians in Austria and a special consideration for those Nigerians who come to Lustenau to buy Laces and Embroideries.

Naturally is Africa’s largest populated country of 150 million people fighting to root out corruption. Also are those considered untouchable in the past now facing the music thanks to the fact that since 1999 Nigeria has been enjoying a democracy which for the first time has seen a change from one civilian government to another. This is something that is worth considering a plus for Nigeria, a country that has for a long time been ruled intermittently by the military.

About 137 million Euro part of the sum of money looted by then dictator Abacha has been ordered to be returned to Nigeria by a Liechtenstein court but this has not yet been effected.

On the issue of scam emails from Nigeria, the diplomat answered that who so ever falls prey to this should also be seen as greedy.