Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources on Sunday riled up emotions by lamenting that internet fraudsters aka “Yahoo Yahoo boys” have become role models in the country.
The former minister who served under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is facing allegations of bribery and money laundering in Nigeria by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Some of of the properties linked to her have been forfeited to the Nigerian government.
She said at a virtual event organised by Ijaw National Development Group that things have degenerated to the extent that “Yahoo Yahoo boys” are respected in the society.
Jackson Ude, the publisher of Point Blank News, published clips of the meeting.
“The ones that have swag, the Yahoo Yahoo boys as my son would say; these, in short, are the role models they are looking at. These are the ones that reinforce negative societal norms and values,” Diezani said.
“This is a travesty of an unfolding tragedy for us. Why have I spent time talking about fatherless homes and the impact it has on our children? The truth of the matter is that an irresponsible boy tends to become an irresponsible man and it is, therefore, a vicious cycle. If you plant yam, you cannot harvest plantain.”
She highlighted the importance of mentorship for young people, saying only hard work could guarantee success.
The ex-minister had relocated to London shortly before former President Goodluck Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Later that year, Alison-Madueke was allegedly arrested and grilled at the Charing Cross Police Station in London, Guardian reported.
