By Timeswatch
A Nigerian born cleric and businessman based in the United States, Pastor Marvin Iwaya, popularly known as Godsman, has urged Nigerians living abroad to uphold integrity, obey the law and consciously protect the image of their country wherever they find themselves.
His appeal followed the recent arrest and federal charges against former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Senior personnel, Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, who prosecutors allege were involved in a scheme to manipulate and expedite immigration applications in exchange for illegal payments. Federal authorities alleged that the scheme involved nearly $960,000 in payments between 2019 and 2026.
Reacting to the development, Godsman said the allegations were deeply troubling, particularly because cases involving Nigerians abroad can affect how an entire community is perceived.
“I am appealing to Nigerians to please represent Nigeria well.
” When you operate dishonestly, you don’t just damage yourself. You can also create suspicion and make things more difficult for countless other Nigerians who are doing the right thing and working hard to build legitimate lives”, he asserted.
The cleric stressed that Nigerians in the diaspora have an important responsibility to demonstrate that the negative stories sometimes associated with the country do not define the millions of Nigerians who live, work and contribute positively around the world.
“By virtue of the work I do, I have access to people’s Social Security numbers, credit cards and other sensitive documents. But never will I even consider using that access for anything illegitimate. God forbid,” Godsman said.
He explained that his personal philosophy is built around integrity, trust and the responsibility that comes with being given access to other people’s private information.
Speaking further, he stated, ” I live my life every day trying to show people that the negative stories they hear about Nigeria are not the whole story.
” There are millions of hardworking, honest and responsible Nigerians making a positive difference around the world.”
Godsman also dropped a message for immigrants who may be tempted to bypass established immigration procedures in pursuit of permanent residency or U.S. citizenship, cautioning
that there is no shortcut worth jeopardising one’s future for.
“America is not joking when it comes to immigration.
“People should follow the proper process and never allow desperation to make them put their future, their family and reputation at risk”, he averred.
According to him, Nigerians abroad should see themselves not only as individuals pursuing personal success, but also as representatives of a nation with a global identity.
“Every Nigerian abroad is in one way or another, representing Nigeria.
” Let us represent Nigeria with dignity, honesty and excellence”, Pastor
Iwaya advised.
However he added that the US authorities will make them feel the weight of the law if they are eventually found guilty in court.
