The promoter of Goajo Agency, Mr Kayode Moses, an Australia-based travel and tourism expert, which specializes in packaging tour and offering immigration service to Australia, made this revelation in an exclusive interview with Tribune Travel and Tourism Magazine in Lagos.
“It is unfortunate that some countries see Nigerians as evil, fraud, thieves and scum; but in Australia, Nigerians are regarded as golden species.”
Mr Moses revealed that “having travelled widely and even stayed in major countries of the world, I never knew there could be a country where Nigeria as a country is regarded and its citizens treated with all honour, dignity and decency like in Australia.”
He said further: “In Perth, for instance, any Nigerian walking on the street is not only regarded as an asset but seen as a medical doctor. The statement on the lips of most citizens who engage Nigerians on the streets of Perth is, ‘‘Oh, Nigerian; you must be a medical doctor.”
Moses noted that “Nigerians are considered as assets and talents, particularly in core professions like Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Conservation and education; hence the citizens have high regards and respect Nigerians.”
He revealed that many public and private institutions are seeking collaboration and networking opportunities with credible Nigerians in the fields of education, cultural exchange, tourism, manufacturing, trade and commerce, power and others.
He disclosed that tourism is a thriving business and “Australia is a haven and paragon of tourism. And to tell you, the people are warm, friendly and hospitable.
‘‘My brother, I am telling you that it is not in all the developed countries that Nigerians are scorned and treated with shameful indignity. At least, down there in Australia, Nigerians are worth more.”
Moses, who is in Nigeria on an awareness creation and sensitization of Nigerians about the opportunities waiting to be tapped in Australia, revealed that “I found out that most Nigerians knew nothing more about Australia than just another country. But I tell you, Australia is more than just a country, as there are many untapped opportunities for Nigerian over there.
“Though it is far, the distance is nothing compared to the opportunities there, and the fact that Nigerians are not only wanted but embraced with all sense of belonging.”
He revealed that “the weather is just like Nigeria’s, while the per capita income is better than almost all the countries which treat Nigerians as fraud and thieves.”