She added that this situation was caused by the generation of the Nigerian system to the extent that yahoo boys, who commit cybercrime are now the role models for young people in the country.
The former minister is currently under investigation and in the middle of several court cases for allegedly embezzling funds while she served as minister during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
She made the statement on Friday, 7 August, while delivering a lecture at a virtual event that her former boss, Goodluck Jonathan was also a part of.
She said: “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.
“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.”
She went further by saying: “There are no shortcuts to working your way up the ladder of life. Progressing in life, in work and relationships, marital or otherwise, is always dependent on consistent effort and hard work.
As we create more responsible young men, we will generate more responsible fathers which will, in turn, engender a more sustainable society and build a greater nation of successful Ijaw men and women.”
Watch her speak below:
This video is why a lot of people are talking about Diezani today, she mentioned something about Yahoo Yahoo boys becoming role models. https://t.co/6ReH822zq7
— Naija (@Naija_PR) August 10, 2020
Well, Nigerians have now reacted to the speech, saying that Alison-Madueke should be the last person to say something like that, describing her as, “our very own Yahoo Alumni Alison Madueke, the real OG Agba Yahoo”.
See some reactions below:
Woke up to see Yahoo trending and it was started by our very own Yahoo Alumni Alison Madueke, the real OG Agba Yahoo ?? pic.twitter.com/shxyCnJ9IE
— ZAYA?? (@hisaryah_77) August 10, 2020
#Yahoo I woke up to see yahoo trending and it's such a surprise to me to see that Diezani Madueke who has been on exile is the one that actually started it. Holyshit!!! EFCC still find you madam pic.twitter.com/DPXcuYkgpz
— General OBlack (@OblackHadzan) August 10, 2020
Diezani Madueke is saying that people are now seeing yahoo boys as role models,
Hope she knows that the money she embezzled made some Nigerians go into yahoo yahoo too??
Olórí burúkú, na Covid-19 go chop ur intestines.
— Barça Principal ? ? (@BarcaPrincipal) August 10, 2020
Unpopular Fact:
Diezani Alison-Madueke & Co are responsible for the growth of Yahoo Yahoo boys and Girls in Nigeria
— Michel_B:9 (@Michel_Kar0) August 10, 2020
Our country is beyond repair at this rate. Diezani who has stolen billions and has the bloody balls to give a speech on how Yahoo boys are destroying Nigeria . And she knows she can do this and nothing will happen to her because our government is weak! And joke .
— Bolanle Olukanni (@bolanleolukanni) August 10, 2020
What happens to presumed innocence until proven guilty?