Insecurity, airport extortion scaring diasporans from returning home — US-based cleric

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

A United States-based cleric and founder of Queen Belemzy Ministry School of Power, Columbus, Ohio, Apostle Queen Belemzy, has said insecurity and extortion at Nigerian airports are major reasons millions of Nigerians in the diaspora are unwilling to return home.

Apostle Belemzy spoke at a three-day spiritual revival programme with the theme, Holy Ghost Encounter, and her birthday celebration ongoing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Reacting to why many diasporans are reluctant to come back, Belemzy admitted she also struggled with the decision to return.

“I didn’t want to come back here, too. Even this one I struggled with it. I didn’t even announce this programme till two weeks ago, even though God had told me about it seven weeks ago. I refused to talk about it, I didn’t want to do it here because of all the things going around,” she said.

The cleric, who disclosed that over 20 of her members flew in from Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Dubai and other countries for the programme, said fear of kidnapping and robbery remains the number one deterrent.

“Why they are scared to come, like I said, the insecurity is number one, and it’s a big deal because of the kidnappings. But, when those things are removed, people will want to come here. This place is wonderful,” she stated.

Apostle Belemzy noted that Nigeria is richly blessed with organic foods, talent and culture that should ordinarily attract its citizens abroad, but fear has taken over.

“Since I’ve been eating the food for the past four weeks that I’ve been here, oh my God, the food is just digesting so fast. It’s not all chemicals, it’s all organic. There are many things here. Even talents, look at all of you guys are so talented. And Nigeria is so blessed. People want to come, but they are afraid of what will happen. Would they be kidnapped? Would they be robbed?” She said.

Apostle Belemzy also decried the high rate of begging and alleged extortion at the airports, describing the experience as discouraging for visitors.

“There are lots of people here who are not making high money here. So, they tend to beg. And it starts from the airport, once you land, you see begging all over the airport. Sometimes, before, I used to get upset at it; but, then, when I think about it, they’re not making enough money, and sometimes that money you give them is all they have at that moment,” she said.

She narrated an ugly experience encountered by some of her members on arrival.

“Like my members that came yesterday, they had an experience at the airport. A lady was forcing them, ‘You have to pay $20, if not you can’t pass.’ One of my members here had to bail them out, you see what I’m saying? So, when you experience such things at the airport, it’s so discouraging,” Apostle Belemzy added.

The cleric called on authorities to address insecurity and restore dignity at the nation’s entry points to encourage diasporans to reconnect with home.

The post Insecurity, airport extortion scaring diasporans from returning home — US-based cleric appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.