Olivia shares experience at 2018 IACC Denmark ‘my handbag was stolen’
Sarah Domozu
Gift Olivia Samuel represented Nigeria, at the 18th International Anti- Corruption Conference (IACC),Denmark, in October 2018, organised by Transparency International, which brought people together to discuss the way forward in the fight against corruption.
In a Chat with NewsdotAfrica, She said it was her first time travelling outside Nigeria, “it was a beautiful experience having to leave Nigeria for the first time, it was also an exposure for me, to have met people from different African countries. Though I had a little bit of bad experience but I did not let it deter me from what took me there”.
she shares her ordeal, “My handbag was stolen from the restaurant of the hotel we lodged during breakfast. It was the opening ceremony, so having to lose my hand bag was very devastating as I had my valuables in it—Tablet, phones, international passport, monies and so many other items.
“The hotel where all these were stolen is suppose to be one of the biggest hotel in Copenhagen, ‘Bella Sky Hotel’ to be precise. The hotel management did not show concern about my stolen items, no measure of recovery was taken, all they could say was there was nothing they could do as the bag was gone. I asked for their CCTV footage they turned me down, with the excuse that they will work alongside the police to investigate the matter.
“They however helped me to log a complaint online to the Police but to my greatest surprise, until date, they have not given me feedback. Well I must say that they have a very poor security system in that hotel.
“I thank God for my stay all through, despite everything God still encouraged me and added a smile to my face. Transparency International came to my rescue and saw that I got an Emergency Travel Certificate to return back to Nigeria”.
She called on the government and Nigerians,to create avenue for Journalists working Online to operate and not oppress them, “Online journalists are not recognized just because they are not Radio, TV or print.
She believes Objective reportage is key, “Just as my slogan goes OBJECTIVE NEWS ALWAYS, that is what I have been known for, therefore in few years I wish to improve more than this to be at the top, though it is not easy but with God’.
An entrepreneur, journalist, Rapporteur, Gift Olivia Samuel runs a company, Giopsalms integrated Concept—a media outfit that owns The Sight News Online.
She is a graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria and is currently running her MSc in Mass Communication.
