‘Let’s make this go viral’ — Twitter reactions as CNN presenter defends Nigerians on US visa ban

A report by Fareed Zakaria, a CNN presenter, on the immigrant visa ban imposed on Nigeria by the Donald Trump administration is trending on social media.

The presenter of a weekly programme on CNN made a case for Nigeria, saying US authorities justified the ban with national security concerns but data available proved otherwise.

Citing CATO institute, Zakaria said four of the six countries listed in the ban – Nigeria, Myanmar, Tanzania and Eritrea – had no records on terror-related deaths caused by foreign-born attackers between 1975 and 2017.

He added that Nigerians are the most educated immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa in the US of which 59% aged 25 and older have at least a bachelor’s degree, according to migration policy institute.

Nigerians, both home and abroad, took to Twitter to share their views about Zakaria’s comment.

Below are the reactions:

Nigeria was added to the Trump administration’s controversial visa and travel bans list. @FareedZakaria analyzes whether this is a security measure or a result of Trump’s views on immigration. https://t.co/hwqBe8PA4l pic.twitter.com/sAQhilGah2

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— CNN (@CNN) February 16, 2020

Every single Nigerian should watch and share this. This made me feel very proud of Nigeria and Nigerians in the diaspora 💪🏾🇳🇬👏🏽 https://t.co/hylgu0d6Ur

— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) February 16, 2020

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Comments from this thread tells a lot about Nigeria.

Nigerians in diaspora must begin to think how they can influence government policies at home.

We keep demonstrating huge impacts outside the shores of Nigeria. Can we do same back home? https://t.co/zXsGute30x

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— Daniel Egbo – The Newton King (@EgboDaniel1) February 17, 2020

As @ChifeDr once said, Nigeria undersells itself globally. When they tag us yahoo yahoo and criminals, our leaders and government have a duty to push back such derogatory tags & paint the true picture of successful Nigerians out there! We are educated. We work hard. We give back! https://t.co/hylgu0d6Ur

— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) February 16, 2020

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https://twitter.com/zvyyvd/status/1229107611095703554?s=20

This is the kind of News all Nigerians should watch and keep in archive for future references.

I'm proud to be a Nigerian, if you're not proud of this country, you can go to Togo or Rwanda. pic.twitter.com/GhVGkFMt1h

— Akanji Micheal (@mickiebrownkie) February 16, 2020

Nigerians were excited about the ban. It was another excuse to curse the country. Some of us with dissenting voices were shouted down. https://t.co/RMJWvstGIn

— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) February 16, 2020

Many Nigerians spent time de-marketing their country and throwing shades because the "ban" suited a political bias. They simply refused to see it for what it was, a political decision taken by a President who prefers white to people of colour. Never have I been #ProudlyNigerian https://t.co/R6ahc95Ma4

— Yinka Chukwuemeka Ogunnubi (@yinkanubi) February 16, 2020

Anyone who didn't realise from the beginning that the ban was mostly about race, rather than security, has got to win an award for naivete.

— CeeJayy 🇳🇬🇺🇸 (@ceejayesq) February 16, 2020

By blacklisting Nigeria from immigration to the USA, the @realDonaldTrump administration has inadvertently given Nigeria its biggest marketing shot on American and global media..This is the kind of video that makes you a proud Nigerian. We should make this go viral #ProudNigerian

— Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè (@AyoBankole) February 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/OEclem/status/1229089640315052033?s=20

First time am hearing @CNN praising nigeria exortically.
Nigeria was a country, if I may remind you. If I were @realDonaldTrump I would place a more strict travel ban on Nigeria. It's for the good of the Country, America. Don't come here to criticise Trump.

— Buchi Odoh (@Real_Buchyo) February 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/growglobal1/status/1229086794047725568?s=20

https://twitter.com/RayPolzin2/status/1229077564871733249?s=20

Trump won't be president forever and he can never kill the drive of Nigerians to be the best in any situation we find ourselves. God bless Nigeria!

— Ejyro47 (@EDjele) February 16, 2020

Someone’s finally making sense! Thank you!
It also doesn’t help that our lifeless president doesn’t take international relationships serious. If he did, we would have young agile or/and experienced ambassadors, not mummies that escaped the pyramids

— Olamilekan (@loko_mighty) February 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/iamcrisshekinah/status/1229173361009405953?s=20

Dear @atiku recall your statement that denigrate this Govt when Trump placed visa restrictions on Nigerians. Your analysis proved to be completely false by this mind blowing facts from @FareedZakaria We all owe this country the duty of patriotism devoid of unhealthy politics. https://t.co/6ZJuNU4F1u

— Opeyemi Bodunde, Esq. (@opeyemi_bodunde) February 16, 2020

Nigerians are naturally angry people

— DREYLO (@RealDreylo) February 17, 2020

I'm proud to be a Nigerian..just watch this research and give it to Nigerians around the world.🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/6ZehLm4Cci

— June12 Mandate (@Gen_Buhar) February 16, 2020

Most of you don't even know why #ProudlyNigerian is trending ..watch this .. TRUMP SEE NIGERIANS AS TREAT THAT IS WHY WE ARE BEEN RESTRICTED 😁 pic.twitter.com/ixFU9DWZLD

— KAHLLYGEE🎳 (@KahllyGee) February 17, 2020

This tells me that even Trump and his cartel are afraid of Nigerians.
When one door closes another one openspic.twitter.com/O3RNvXM1OD

— Oraye (@Oraye360) February 17, 2020

@realDonaldTrump Nigerians are not your countrie's problems, Be guided. pic.twitter.com/RaCmtUTnky

— No limits (@NewBizy) February 17, 2020