Former Minister of Petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has lamented that internet fraudsters popularly called ‘yahoo yahoo’ boys are becoming role models, and how they are being respected in society.

Madueke, who made this known at a virtual conference organised by the umbrella body of Ijaw cultural associations known as the Ijaw Nation Development Group(INDG), on Sunday, August 9th, 2020, said values are fast eroding the society and the situation has completely degenerated

She elaborated on the importance of mentorship for young people, saying only hard work could guarantee success.

“The ones that have swag, the Yahoo Yahoo boys as my son would say; these in short, are the role models they are looking at. These are the ones that reinforce negative societal norms and values,” she said.

“This is a travesty of an unfolding tragedy for us. Why have I spent time talking about fatherless homes and the impact it has on our children? The truth of the matter is that an irresponsible boy tends to become an irresponsible man and it is therefore a vicious cycle. If you plant yam, you cannot harvest plantain.”

Recall that last year, Alison-Madueke was charged at the Cross Police Station in London. 

The former Minister was interrogated at the station when the UK National Crime Agency arrested her on suspicion of bribery and money laundering.

The Westminster magistrate court subsequently granted her bail but seized her passport while she was asked to report at the station at a later date. 

During her ordeal in the UK, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) carried out a search on her Asokoro, Abuja, residence.

However, Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting Chairman of the EFCC, had said the UK authorities did not do enough to make the process work out.

Read Also: IGP WITHDRAW SECURITY PERSONNEL ATTACHED TO MAGU

He had alleged that Diezani stole $2.5 billion from the Nigerian government, an allegation that she denied.

The ex-minister had relocated to London shortly before former President Goodluck Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Cybercrime in Nigeria has become rampant and notorious in the last one year with the extradition of Rahmon Abass popularly called Hushpuppi and his accomplice, Woodberry, for money-laundering, cyber fraud, hacking and scamming.

Eleven other suspects were detained in an operation comprised of officers from the FBI, Interpol and Dubai police. Detectives seized more than 150 million dirham (£30 million).

Read Also: DUBAI POLICE HAND OVER HUSHPUPPI TO FBI