A Nigerian resident in Columbia, South Carolina, USA, Chioma Odidika, was on Wednesday, September 2, honoured with an Integrity Award by the Sheriff of Richland County for returning $4,000 USD.
Recall that another Nigerian based in Qatar, Michael Jonathan Asemota in 2018, had returned $441,127.99 about N150 million that was wrongfully posted into his account.
Mrs Odidika, who hails from Imo State, had received an email from possible scammers, who had called her on phone and before she knew what was happening, they had sent a cheque of $4,000 U.S.
According to her, she said that she immediately called President Tonna Okei (Ikuku Oma), President of the Organisation of African Unity SC, who immediately called the Sheriff of Richland County, after which “the Police of Columbia City took me”.
Odidika said that she reported and surrendered the cheque.
Mrs Odidika was, therefore, given an award of honesty by the Sheriff and offer of a job.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, extolled the virtue demonstrated by the Nigerian, saying that she had made the country proud.
In a statement by the commission’s Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said it was gratifying to note that the uncommon act of honesty of Mrs Odidika had earned her Integrity Award from the Sheriff of Richland County.
“It is indeed a well-deserved award and a great opportunity to celebrate you.
“This is another victory for Nigeria, as another proud Nigerian is portraying what Nigeria is about and that is honesty.
“Thank you for being a good ambassador of your country Nigeria.
“You have portrayed Nigerians in the diaspora as unique, honest, and trustworthy immigrants.
“No legacy is as rich as honesty. It remains the best policy. We must continue to exhibit such behaviour wherever we find ourselves.
“We must continue to be good ambassadors of our country,” she added.
