On Thursday 22nd August 2019, the world awoke to the news of the FBI’s indictment of 80 individuals charged with conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft and money laundering in the United States.
The indictment was unsealed after the FBI conducted a series of raids and arrested 14 defendants across the United States, with 11 of those arrests taking place in the Los Angeles region. The remaining defendants were believed to be abroad, with most them located in Nigeria.
As the news gained traction, the FBI released a list of 77 Nigerians indicted in the bust. Bashir Ahmad, a new media aide to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari described it as a “disgrace” to Nigeria.
So @PremiumTimesng has just published full list of 77 Nigerians charged by @FBI for massive fraud, money laundering in America.
Those guys disgrace us and disgrace Nigeria! https://t.co/vuZHEFQOTB
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) August 23, 2019
The Nigerian social media soon went abuzz with comments about “80 fraudulent Nigerians” who had tarnished the image of the country. “80 Nigerians” was trending on Twitter in the weekend that followed with a flood of negative publicity around the image of Nigeria. It was as if these “80 Nigerians” were going to get away with redefining Nigeria as a country of fraudsters and criminals – the same country that has produced some of the world’s most renowned trailblazers in diverse fields of endeavour.
In the midst of the rising negative image profiling of Nigeria, on Saturday 24th August, 2019, SIGNAL took the initiative to launch the #80Nigerians Challenge on Twitter aimed at getting Nigerians to showcase some of their brightest citizens doing Nigeria proud across the world. We started with a profile of 20 selected Nigerians which opened up the conversation for Nigerians to profile their success stories. The result of that effort is this amazing thread which went viral and became a trending Twitter topic.
Read:
Today, we launch the #80Nigerians challenge. Drop the name of any Nigerian who makes you really proud to be called a Nigerian. Tweet with the hashtag #80Nigerians. Let’s show the world the BEST of what we are!
We begin here with some names…
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@papilokanu won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, 3 FA Cup Winners Medals and 2 African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/hsSBItEXWh
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@wizkidayo began his singing career when he was 11 years old, in 2001. He recorded his first song with the legendary OJB Jezreel. Wizkid’s contribution to the global music industry has earned him several achievements, awards and recognitions. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/ktd0yHWCbS
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@Audu Maikori is a Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, social activist, public speaker and creative industry professional. He is the Founder and Group CEO of @choccitymusic – the record label that gave us superstars like MI Abaga, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Brymo and more. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/eT7XzXGA8w
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@MsAgbaniDarego – a Nigerian, is the first native African to win the Miss World title. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/ufAgfDU9yt
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Prof. Wole Soyinka is a globally renowned literary icon! He was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, the first African to be honoured in that category. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/SOYgtRbWUS
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@HamzyCODE is the Chief Executive of Connected Development [CODE]. He started #FollowTheMoney – a campaign that uses data to hold government accountable. In May 2019, he won the United Nations Mobiliser of the Year Award at the SDG Global Fest for 2019. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/IvrDUqtkVL
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@IAmOkocha made his official debut for Nigeria in 1993. His football career spans clubs like PSG, Fenerbahçe and Bolton Wanderers. He is the BBC African Footballer of the Year: 2003, 2004. In March 2004, he was named one of the top 125 living footballers by Pelé. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/GoTOqflcyj
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Adebayo Ogunlesi is the chairman and managing partner, GIP. In 2006, GIP bought London City Airport. In 2009, GIP acquired London Gatwick Airport. GIP also owns Edinburgh Airport, which they bought in 2012. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/mtcPAc7oeS
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@laolusenbanjo studied Law at the University of Ilorin but decided to pursue his passion for art. Today, he is globally known after working with brands like Nike, Bvlgari, Beyoncé’s album Lemonade, the Grammy Museum among others. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/lGKdqzHEFb
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Tanitoluwa Adewumi, an 8-year old Nigerian refugee who lives with his family in a shelter in New York City, inspired the world and made Nigeria so proud when he won the New York State Chess Championship for his age bracket. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/BKnRdxSneR
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie is a multiple award-winning Nigerian novelist and writer of short stories. She is well-known across the world for her literary exploits. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/QzQ3bOhOZn
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Hollywood actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim was born in Lagos State and is a native of Ogun State. He has featured in several hit movies like Hotel Rwanda, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Pirates of the Caribbean, 24 etc. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/RaXqtU5fGv
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Chioma Ajunwa is the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event. She is a Nigerian. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/5ncaLOFWez
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Meet Ndubuisi Ekekwe, a Nigerian inventor, engineer, author and entrepreneur who holds a US patent on a microchip used in minimally invasive surgical robots. He was part of the team that created XL sensor inside the iPhone and iPad. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/2kklM4DgVJ
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
Ibadan-born @adebayoalonge is the Nigerian inventor of a scanner that can detect fake drugs in 20 seconds. In March 2019, he became the first African to win the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge prize of €100,000 after beating Tech startups from 119 countries. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/JGcEU5rrFt
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@toyosirise is a Nigerian social entrepreneur and human development expert. In June 2011, she was described by @MichelleObama, then FLOTUS, as one of her personal inspirations in a televised address to America. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/kcehOiBK2m
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@HenshawKate is a successful Nigerian actress who won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2008. In 2019, she was selected by CBS to represent Nigeria in the global talent show “THE WORLD’S BEST”. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/YOg7wX5B2R
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@Realomosexy is a Nigerian Actress, Singer, Philanthropist and former Model. She has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of video copies worldwide. In 2013, she was honoured in @TIME‘s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/sKED3YW7Vc
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
.@SundayOOliseh has played for world-famous clubs such as AFC Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus F.C. He has served in the prestigious FIFA Technical Study Group and coached a European football club. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/jifiClorHV
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
In May 2019, a Nigerian teenager Tobechukwu “Tobi” Phillips made history at Alvin High School in Texas becoming the school’s first Black valedictorian 125 years after it was established in 1894. She made it to the top of her class with a 6.9 cumulative GPA. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/aG6vQqVi2X
— SIGNAL (@thesignalng) August 23, 2019
David Adedeji Adeleke (born Nov. 21, 1992), better known by his stage name @iam_Davido is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Lagos, Davido is the CEO DMW and currently managing artist like Mayoukun, Dremo, Peruzzi, Etc. #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/i7MJ7408IQ
— God’s Own (@iam_Dafwizzy) August 23, 2019
A Nigerian iman ,Abubakar abdullahi,has been honoured with US international religious freedom award for risking his own life to save 262 Christians #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/43DG99NAbZ
— ABK_Tahir (@ABK_Tahir) August 23, 2019
Tuface Idibia @official2baba , the most creative and talented Nigerian musician out there. He has paved way positively for many others & internationally reputation remains classy. He’s proudly Nigerian, he’s Africa’s finest, the very best. No 1 #80Nigerians
— Jeffrey (@ObaOlayinka) August 23, 2019
@akin_adesina Akinwumi “Akin” Adesina is the President of the African Development Bank #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/ryb3Y94ut3
— OT????N WEARS???????? (@Mr_Babszy) August 23, 2019
You said any Nigerian. So, I am proud of me. I am proud of being a Nigerian. I am a Nurse Practitioner. Licensed to practice in both Nigeria and Ghana. I am passionate about healthcare and good education. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/kODsn5bnQz
— Ijay Emeagha RN, MSN (@DNurseAdvocate) August 23, 2019
#80Nigerians Philip Emeagwali is a Nigerian-American computer scientist. He won the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize for price-performance in high-performance computing applications, in an oil reservoir modeling calculation using a novel mathematical formulation and implementation. pic.twitter.com/N6rCtZUgai
— Timi Kuti. ((ZEUS)).. (@timikuti) August 23, 2019
@burnaboy Damini Ogulu from Engenni (born 2 July 1991), known professionally as Burna Boy, is a NigerianAfro-fusion singer and songwriter.[1][2] He rose to prominence in 2012 after releasing the lead single “Like to Party” from his debut studio album, L.I.F.E (2013).#80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/Y71yMVDwg4
— Oti N (@Otisere) August 23, 2019
@jelanialiyu MFR, a Nigerian designer who designed a globally renowned electric car, the Chevrolet Volt. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/VL3iDJefaV
— Sadiq Sheshi (@CaptSheshi) August 23, 2019
Nigerian Dr. Olurotimi Badero is the first & only fully trained combined heart&kidney specialist in the world! #NotAYahooFraud #IamNigerian pic.twitter.com/CkZYSsdPpQ
— Your MCM role model (@presh_stones) August 23, 2019
26-year-old Nigerian, credited for building the world’s first gaming robot, Silas Adekunle, has become the highest paid in the field of robotic engineering.
He achieved the feat after signing a new deal with the world’s reputable software manufacturers, Apple Inc. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/CGIL42f1uE
— Ayemojubar ???????????????? (@ayemojubar) August 24, 2019
Partner and group CEO, SouthBridge Group. @afalli has been investing in Africa for the past twenty years, most recently while he was CEO of Africa Finance Corporation where he was responsible for over $4,5 billion of investments made in 30 countries. pic.twitter.com/AASqa7cAAn
— ayo ???? (@ayo_nikan) August 23, 2019
2 heroines I hold in very high regard for their selfless service to the nation and who make me proud to be Nigerian are Prof Dora Akunyili who headed @NafdacAgency and Dr Stella Adadevoh who made the ultimate sacrifice for her fatherland in the fight against Ebola. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/yMIZYMSoid
— Ọmọ’ba Olúbáyọ̀ (@olubayojohn) August 23, 2019
@NOIweala Mummy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and international development expert. She sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the African Risk Capacity. pic.twitter.com/GTpvcmPzaF
— The Future (@Ezesinanwata) August 23, 2019
Jessica O Mattews invented Soccket, a soccer ball that provides off grid power for developing nations. She did this after she attended a wedding in Nigeria and the lights went out. She is a Nigerian-American (Dual citizen). In short, she invented a rechargeable ball. #10Nigerians pic.twitter.com/5EVuXiLIwT
— Ayemojubar ???????????????? (@ayemojubar) August 24, 2019
OHIMAI GODWIN AMAIZE aka @MrFixNigeria is a media guru, fashion icon, proud husband to a lovely wife ,inspiration to a lot of us,political commentator, among other endeavors. YES! He was the graceful host of the number one morning show @KakaakiSocial on AiT .Bless ???????? #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/AndDJ4ckcB
— OSHOMAh (@JohnNetworQ) August 23, 2019
DR. M.O. KADIR is a medical practitioner who has spent a major part of his life saving lives and reaching out to the poor. His is 65 years old and still performs major operations to save lives. He is my father and a Nigerian. He deserves to be celebrated. #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/xB7unIr5pD
— Fatimah Kadir (@FateeKay_) August 23, 2019
UKASHAT MUBARAK
Islamic scholar frm Edo state has https://t.co/qF5kvnv7JQ Physics FUPRE ,https://t.co/E7Dx42kpiF Theoritical Physics King Fahd Uni of Petroleum & Minerals Saudi Arabia, now a Phd student in Particle Astrophysics & Cosmology Utah State University United States 1/ pic.twitter.com/wrED5ih6xW— OSHOMAh (@JohnNetworQ) August 23, 2019
There’s no need of writing much @KennedyEkezie #80Nigerians. pic.twitter.com/rppmsMBOZ6
— Agubosim Malachy (@AgubosimMalachy) August 23, 2019
Prof @MoghaluKingsley is a Nigerian political economist, lawyer, former @UN Senior official, former Deputy Governor @cenbank and Professor in intl business and public policy @TuftsUniversity Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/LZ1nRsWrD6
— ToBuildANation (TBAN) (@PlusOneMoreVote) August 23, 2019
@Femiakuti is a four-time Grammy nominated Afrobeat musician with proficiency in playing the trumpet, saxophone and keyboard.On 14/5/2017 he broke the world record for the longest single note held on a saxophone.He sings against bad governance. #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/Hun52WBDo3
— Kamsi O. Atuchukwu (@Kamsi_OA) August 23, 2019
@ZurielOduwole a passionate activist for educating African girls, and at only 16, has already met 30 presidents on Global issues. She is the youngest filmmaker in the world to have a self-produced and self-edited work screened. #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/WMtlNWy9lU
— Olaniyi Tosin (@itz_lubey) August 23, 2019
Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, @anthonyfjoshua born 15 October 1989 is a British professional boxer. He is a former unified world heavyweight champion having held the WBA(Super) IBF, WBO & IBO titles between 2016&2019. He’s from Sagamu, Ogun State????. I really love this guy❤️ pic.twitter.com/D88zYDF81Q
— Tife Majek (@The_Tife_Majek) August 23, 2019
He was born in Mushin area of Lagos State. Started Fuji Music while in secondary school over 30 years ago. Today Alhaji Wasiu Alabi a.k.a Pasuma wonder is the second biggest Fuji artist in Nigeria. An inspiration to me personally. #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/RCXErOqb0b
— OLA POPOOLA ???????? ???? (@Donhollar) August 23, 2019
@AminaJMohammed a Nigerian-English politician who is the current Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. She was formerly the Federal Minister of the Environment of Nigeria. #80nigerians pic.twitter.com/sFfbGIoErp
— DiCTatOR (@Muxmash) August 23, 2019
Ed Emeka Keazor is a historian, lawyer, author, musician and documentary filmmaker.He is the author of ‘120 Great Nigerians You Never Knew’.In 2014, he received an award for his work on African history from The African Society of Cambridge University. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/06GnL5vNmG
— Kamsi O. Atuchukwu (@Kamsi_OA) August 23, 2019
Chinua Achebe. Writer. This is the man that corrected the world’s notion on Africa’s history. pic.twitter.com/aK5iSVo3DJ
— Oghenero Ezaza (@ReflectPoems) August 24, 2019
#80nigerians Ndubisi Ezerioha, is a Nigerian-American engineer, professional race car driver, entrepreneur and engine builder. He is the current CEO and Chief Engineer for Bisimoto Engineering. Ezerioha is involved in import drag racing, pilots a 2006 Honda Insightin the pro… pic.twitter.com/a5zdWT3IbS
— Ogunleye Femi (@femioguns04) August 23, 2019
Singer, songwriter, and actress. She currently has a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. She is the first African female artist to win MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act. In May 2019, @TiwaSavage has a recording deal with Universal Music Group. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/vWmprJ22uO
— Iamdimeji_ (@Iamdimeji_) August 24, 2019
Japheth Omojuwa @Omojuwa is a media entrepreneur & a public speaker whose works has been translated into several languages, including various platforms for German, French, Portuguese & Greek audiences.His book, #DigitalWealthBook is currently a bestselling piece. #80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/Al7eWmTqSN
— Chukwudi Munonye #AllRedAllEqual ????⚫️⚪️ (@martchuddy) August 23, 2019
@TonyOElumelu MFR, CON, an Economist, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist who was nominated in Forbes Africa’s most powerful 20 people in 2012 and was also a member World Economic Reforms Regional Agenda Council on Africa.#80Nigerians pic.twitter.com/mvuxGb6eJm
— Sadiq Sheshi (@CaptSheshi) August 23, 2019
I am Dr Chioma Nwakanma. I am a public health advocate.
I am committed to saving African lives daily through health education and policies.
Through @SMILEWithmeNGO over #80nigerians are empowered monthly with #FirstAid and health tips.
You can partner with us#NotAYahooFraud pic.twitter.com/1zUoq73ZG0— Dr Chioma Nwakanma (@DrZobo) August 23, 2019
Leah Sharibu: arguably the most courageous teen globally. She refused to denounce her faith in the face of terror and threat of death by terrorists. #80Nigerians
The best of Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/GKWWMSlc4k— Sir.Ariyo-Dare Atoye (@AriyoAristotle) August 23, 2019
For more inspiring Nigerian stories, look up the hashtag #80Nigerians on Twitter. It reveals so much about the rich heritage of the true Nigerian spirit of dignity and enterprise.
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Copyright 2019 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant source.
Mary Alabi
August 27, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Late Pa. E. A Alabi: He was an internationally certified electrical engineer, who worked a whole lot with the Lagos State Ministry of Works, as the head of the department. He’s fondly remembered as a very honest man who refused to inflate office projects even when cajoled to do so.
#80Nigerians