The former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has shared a humiliating experience he had while traveling abroad and how the current state of Nigeria affects citizens, especially when traveling with the country’s passport.
Speaking at an event held in his honor to mark his 60th birthday, Amaechi revealed that he was recently detained in Germany for 30 minutes, even though he had done nothing wrong. According to him, the only reason he was stopped was because he was carrying a Nigerian passport.
“I’m ashamed,” Amaechi said. “I was detained in Germany for 30 minutes. I did nothing. I was only going for a medical check-up. They asked me for my return ticket, and I showed them. Still, they said, ‘Wait,’ just because I was carrying a green passport.”
Amaechi’s story highlights the growing concerns many Nigerians face when traveling internationally. The green Nigerian passport, once a proud symbol of identity, is now seen by some as a source of stress due to the country’s negative reputation in some parts of the world.
He noted that the situation reflects the deep problems facing Nigeria, where poor governance, insecurity, and economic hardship have led to a loss of respect for the country on the global stage. Amaechi’s comments touched many in the audience, who nodded in agreement as he spoke about the need for Nigeria to rebuild its image and regain the trust of the international community.
The former governor used the occasion to call for serious reforms and better leadership in the country. He emphasized that the treatment Nigerians face abroad is a reflection of the nation’s internal struggles and the urgent need to change the current system.
“We must fix our country,” he said. “No Nigerian should be treated this way simply because of their passport. We must work to restore pride in our identity.”
Amaechi’s remarks struck a chord, especially among young Nigerians in the audience, many of whom dream of traveling but fear the challenges that come with carrying a Nigerian passport.
His experience serves as a wake-up call for leaders and citizens alike, reminding everyone that the reputation of a country can affect its people, no matter where they are in the world.
