South African Rapper, Costa Titch has slumped and died while performing on stage.
The “Big Flexa” crooner passed away at the age of 27.
We call for the strengthening and implementation of all the necessary measures to prevent the re-occurrence of such actions,”–PMB.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday began a visit to South Africa with a call to beef up protection of foreign nationals, weeks after xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg stirred tension between Africa’s leading economies.
Buhari and his counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa went into long-planned talks aimed at bolstering trade ties and political cooperation as both leaders struggle to boost their flagging economies.
But the talks were expected to be overshadowed by the violence in South Africa targeting foreigners, which included Nigerians.
Mobs descended on foreign-owned stores in and around Johannesburg in early September, destroying properties and looting.
“We call for the strengthening and implementation of all the necessary measures to prevent the re-occurrence of such actions,” Buhari said at the start of the talks.
The violence — in which at least 12 people were killed, most of them South Africans — sparked fury in Nigeria and saw hundreds of migrant workers repatriated to the country.
Buhari condemned “the very few incidents of retaliatory attacks” which saw some South African businesses in Nigeria forced to close shop.
“We took strong and decisive measures to stop the attacks and prevent any re-occurences,” he said at Union Buildings, the seat of the presidency in the capital Pretoria.
For his part, Ramaphosa, who has repeatedly apologised over the attacks, reiterated his government’s “deep regret at the incidents of public violence”.
“Some of the acts of violence were directed at foreign nationals and some of whom coming from your own country”.
“We firmly condemn all forms of intolerance and will not hesitate to act against criminal acts and violence,” he said.
The three-day state visit, the first to South Africa by a Nigerian leader since 2013, had been planned before the wave of violence.
A “town hall meeting” between Buhari and Nigerians living in South Africa is scheduled for Friday to listen to the expats’ experience and showcase efforts to support them.
SOURCE:
MSN
How Uncertainty makes more Nigeria leave South Africa.
The federal government through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has disclosed that another 400 Nigerians in South Africa have indicated interest in returning home.
The commission’s spokesman, Abdulrahman Balogun made this disclosure when he led 32 Nigerian returnees of Oyo state origin to the state governor’s office, Ibadan, on Wednesday, October 2.
He, however, noted that the decision of those Nigerians to return home or stay back may be influenced by the outcome of the scheduled meeting between the Nigerian government and the South African authorities.
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in South Africa to hold several meetings with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramphosa, on the recurrent xenophobic attacks on other Africans in the country.
Balogun said:
“As of last night, over 400 Nigerians have equally indicated their interest to return home. We normally profile them at our embassy in South Africa to know those who voluntarily want to come back and 400 of them have indicated interest in coming back.
“The president travels to South Africa today (Wednesday) so the talks between Nigeria and South Africa will determine whether those Nigerians will return or not. Some of them may still change their minds. They may think that things have become normal and stay back..
“If after the discussion, South Africa is ready to make some concession, those Nigerians may decide to stay back.”
He also noted that Nigerians also faced life-threatening situations in Saudi Arabia and some other Asian countries.
He cautioned Nigerians keen on leaving the country that the land abroad may not be greener as envisaged.
His words:
“The commission usually tells those who travel out to be good representatives of the country. As we are having this batch, we have similar issues in Asia, Saudi Arabia in which we have a sizeable number of people from this state.
“We usually counsel our young people that there is nothing green in those places people are going to. You are better off here.
“With little assistance, you can do well rather than go somewhere and be killed, attacked and cannot move or do business freely.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Airline, Mr. Allen Onyeama, has explained why the company is offering free service in the evacuation of Nigerians in the wake of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Onyema told Channels Television in an interview on Tuesday, September 17 that there was no personal motive in extending a helping hand as the gesture was only for the good of the Nigerian people.
“The motivation here is the fact that I want to see Nigeria respected as a nation. It is unfortunate that a lot of people didn’t know who Allen Onyeama is; it’s not the first time I’ve been doing things like that,” he said.
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How Trips to South Africa were shunned by Nigerians in the last two weeks
There are strong indications that many Nigerians have been shunning trips to South Africa in the last two weeks.
The PUNCH gathered on Thursday that since the latest xenophobic attacks on Nigerians by South Africans, many travellers had been boycotting trips to the former apartheid enclave.
Also on Thursday, the House of Representatives described the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama’s denial of its invitation as an insult.
The House stated this just as the Federal Government disclosed that Nigeria and South Africa would set up a bilateral-commission aimed at ending xenophobia.
In spite of the peace initiative, a number of travel agents told one of our correspondents that Nigerians were not buying tickets to South Africa, except for special reasons.
I haven’t sold tickets to Johannesburg for two weeks – Agent
“I have not booked a single ticket to Johannesburg in the last two weeks,” a travel agent, who did not want to be named, told The PUNCH.
“Nobody is going there at the moment. It is as if there is a total boycott except it is extremely important. Since the problem between Nigeria and South Africa began, the only people travelling are those that had booked their flights long before now and students that need to return to school and have no choice but to resume,” the agent said.
Another Lagos-based agent said the situation had degenerated to the point that special travel packages that were put together for tourists to the country had either been cancelled or diverted to some other destinations as people were no longer interested.
Nigerian tourists changing destinations from SA to Dubai
According to the agent, Nigerian tourists are changing their vacation destinations to Dubai, Mauritius and other places.
“There are people with pending tickets that have requested change of airline or destination. Even people scheduled to travel; some have said they no longer want to travel to South Africa,” he said.
Findings show that South African Airways, which operates daily flights between Lagos and Johannesburg, has been affected.
South African Airways enjoys a near monopoly on the route being the only airline that offers direct flights from Lagos to Johannesburg; other airlines on that route such as Kenyan Airway and Rwandair have to get to Nairobi and Kigali respectively, before taking off to Johannesburg. The airline, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue.
I left SA when attacks became frequent – Mother of two
Meanwhile, a woman who was among those evacuated on Wednesday shared her experience with The PUNCH, saying that she decided to leave South Africa when the attacks became frequent.
The single mother of two, Ololade Atere, from Oyo State, said her nail studio was destroyed in the recent xenophobic attacks.
Atere said, “My experience was bad. I was into fixing of nails and one day I got a call that my shop had been destroyed. I decided to come home because the violence became too much and I couldn’t keep running with my two kids.
“I lived in South Africa for five years, but I have no plans of going back. I am tired of the violence. I have to be safe. I am home now. I have to find a job or business.
“I left Nigeria when I was pregnant. The intention was to have my baby, have some travel experience and return. I wanted to come back after I had my first baby but people convinced me to stay. But now, I have had enough.”
S’Africa said my children were its citizens – Mother
Atere said she was supposed to be among the first batch of Nigerians to return, but was stopped at the airport.
“They said I couldn’t travel with my kids because I gave birth to them in South Africa and they are citizens,” she said.
She added that she was made to swear an affidavit before she was allowed to bring the children with her to Nigeria.
‘I left my child in S’Africa’
Another returnee, who identified himself as Uchenbi, told the News Agency of Nigeria that South Africans harboured hostility towards Nigerians.
He stated, “South Africans are angry at Nigerians for no reason and would blame them for whatever reason they deem fit.”
Uchenbi, who was in South Africa for 12 years before he returned to Nigeria on Wednesday, said he left his child in South Africa, while she was sleeping.
The man, who is married to a South African, said his wife would have suffered, if he had been killed in South Africa.
S’African police didn’t probe my husband killing – Woman
Another returnee, Blessing Chioma, accused the South African police of inaction when her husband was killed in 2012.
Chioma said, ”I’m coming from South Africa, Johannesburg; I was married to a Nigerian, but South Africans killed him during the xenophobic attacks. I reported the case to the police, they know about it; they look for the guys, but you won’t know them because they come in groups, so nothing was done; the case is closed,” she said.
”Since then I’ve been coping with the children, but I returned them to Nigeria because I was no more meeting up in training them. So they’re here now in Nigeria; I came back to take care of them, but we came with nothing because they burnt our shops.”
Only traders, others in informal sector leaving – NUSA
The President of the Nigerian Union South Africa, Adetola Olubajo, said the Nigerians who had indicated interest in being evacuated from South Africa were informal traders.
Olubajo said, “I can say that all of the people affected are in informal businesses. They are people that established their own businesses. So, it’s an informal business area. It does not affect any of those companies that are in the formal sector.
“They are those petty traders that have shops; small and medium scale traders on Jules Street (Johannesburg), Van der Walt (Pretoria) and Lilian Ngoyi Street (Johannesburg). In Nigeria, they (Nigerians) targeted mainstream companies owned by South Africans.
“But there, it was not like that, they went to informal traders (and places) where they are densely populated. There is no company at all. There were even two car marts burnt down; one was owned by a Nigerian, but I think the other one was not owned by a Nigerian. So, they were informal businesses.”
The situation would normalise soon – High commissioner
When contacted, the acting High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, expressed confidence that the relations between Nigeria and South Africa would soon normalise.
He noted that every issue would be sorted out during the forthcoming visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to Pretoria.
He said, “We are concerned by the development, but we are already working to improve relations with Nigeria and this was the reason for the visit by the special envoy. We believe the situation would improve soon, South Africa is a tourism destination and we are open.”
Onyeama’s denial of our invitations, an insult – Reps
The House of Representatives berated the Minister of Foreign Affairs for denying invitations by the lawmakers to brief them on the xenophobic attacks and the Federal Government’s evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa.
The House, which insisted that the minister ignored its invitations, said the National Assembly was considering actions against government officials who shunned its summons.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajajiamila, had in plenary on Wednesday, accused the minister of shunning the lawmakers’ invitations even when the leadership of the House invited him. Gbajabiamila had said he would raise the matter with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had, however, denied the allegation. The ministry’s spokesman, Ferdinand Nwonye, in a statement, said Onyeama could not appear before the House on the scheduled date because he was engaged in the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Briefing journalists after the plenary on Thursday, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Benjamin Kalu, stated that the lawmakers were people of integrity, who would not lie against Onyeama.
Kalu said, “I represent the House of Representatives comprising men and women of integrity; men of honesty, men of high reputations.”
According to him, describing the statement of the lawmakers, especially that of the Speaker as a lie is casting serious aspersions on the integrity of the House of Representatives.
He stated, “I wish to maintain that an invitation was duly extended to the minister in question and that invitation was not honoured and the House frowns upon it. I can assure you that we are taking steps to ensure that in the future, such disobedient act, such dishonour to the House of Representatives, will not be tolerated.
“We know what to do as allowed by the provisions of the law.He was invited. He did not honour it. I am sure he would honour it. If he didn’t get it, we have made it open. We have declared it openly that there is an invitation to him. I am sure that he is a gentleman. I know him as a gentleman, he would honour that invitation.”
Meanwhile, a member of the House representing lbarapa CentraI/North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Mr Ajibola Muraina, has urged members of the National Assembly to make donations for the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa.
Muraina, who addressed journalists, said he was moved by the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, who used his airline to evacuate Nigerians for free.
The lawmaker urged all Nigerians who had financial and other capacities all over the world to be selfless and be willing to assist their countrymen and not leaving the problems for only the government to solve.
Nigeria, SA to sign MOU on commission to end xenophobia
In the Senate, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mustapha Suleiman, said that Nigeria and South Africa would set up a bi-national commission to ensure the safety of Nigerians and protect their property in South Africa.
Suleiman, who stated this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, explained that both countries would also sign a memorandum of understanding that would among others, put an end to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
He said the establishment of the bi-national commission and the signing of the MoU, would coincide with the visit of Buhari to the South African country next month.
He said, “Now we are trying to sign a memorandum of understanding between us and South Africa to forestall such (xenophobic) attacks in the future.
“Prior to the incident, our President has been invited to South Africa. At the October meeting, the MOU will be unveiled. The essence is to determine what to look up to if such attacks happen in the future, the documentation for understanding on how such will be remedied.
“When such happens to Nigerian citizens, what kind of remedy should we expect from the South African government?”
Suleiman, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said President Buhari would be meeting with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, in October for bilateral trade agreement.
He commended the gesture of the Chairman/Chief Executive of Air Peace, whose airline had been giving free flights to Nigerians anxious to flee South Africa.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Mohammed Bulkachuwa, said a thriving economy would serve as a disincentive to emigration of Nigerians to other countries.
SOURCE:
More Nigerians exit South Africa over Xenophobic attack.
The second batch of 315 Nigerians on Wednesday, September 18, landed at the Lagos Airport at 7.21 pm.
As at the time of writing this, The Nation reports that the returnees were being transported to the cargo part of the Murtala International Airport.
Legit.ng gathers that reporters were however not allowed to access the tarmac due to violation of air safety regulations.
The aviation authorities said they were not happy with the way reporters invaded the airport when the first batch of 187 Nigerians arrived in Nigeria.
The second batch of 315 Nigerians on Wednesday, September 18, landed at the Lagos Airport
Recall that Legit.ng earlier reported that another batch of Nigerians who volunteered to return to their homeland departed South Africa onboard an Air Peace plane from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.
The returnees arrived Lagos at about at 7.21 pm.
The second batch includes not less than 319 Nigerians who are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday, September 18.
This was confirmed to a Legit.ng reporter by an aide to the chairman of Nigerians in diaspora commission, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The returnees were transported through the cargo section of the Murtala International Airport, Lagos
It was also gathered that the chief executive officer of Air Peace Airline, Allen Onyeama, explained why the company was offering free service in the evacuation of Nigerians in the wake of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Journalists were however not allowed to access the tarmac due to violation of air safety regulations.
Onyema told journalists on Tuesday, September 17 that there was no personal motive in extending a helping hand as the gesture was only for the good of the Nigerian people.
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How 5 Ghanaians suffered Xenophobic attack in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that three more Ghanaians have been injured in the xenophobic unrests which have hit South Africa.
The Ghanaian Mission in South Africa is ensuring that those who have been affected receive the needed medical attention.
A statement from the ministry, on Thursday, September 5, 2019 said the South African Security Agencies commenced an exercise to check the resident permits of foreigners residing in Sunnyside, a suburb of Pretoria.
According to reports, five Ghanaians were arrested and detained at the Sunnyside Police station after the exercise was carried out.
“Officials of the High Commission have visited the Police Station to provide consular assistance to the detained Ghanaians and are following up on the matter,” the statement added.
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that one Ghanaian had been shot at West Hills, a suburb in Johannesburg province in South Africa in fresh attacks by South Africans.
According to reports, he was shot in the leg when violence erupted between some South Africans and foreigners in the area.
Confirming the news report, Chairman of the Ghanaians Association in Kempton Park Johannesburg, Wofa Atta, explained that the victim was in a stable condition and was receiving medical attention.
Wofa Atta explained that a Ghanaian team was dispatched to the area to assist the person who was hit by the bullet in the attack.
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‘One Africa’ – Okocha, Yobo, Tshabalala unite to condemn xenophobic attacks
How South Africa high commission offices were shut down in Nigeria.
South Africa high commission has shut down its Lagos and Abuja offices over retaliatory attacks on South African citizens and businesses by Nigerians.
The Nation reports that the directive was given by the acting high commissioner, Amb Bobby Moroe, who said he directed the mission to suspend all consular activities until the situation improved.
Legit.ng gathers that there have been retaliatory attacks against South Africans and their businesses in Nigeria over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
According to Monroes, the reported attacks on South Africans in some parts of the country informed the decision to close down the diplomatic mission.
He said:
“I directed that the mission should be closed until the situation improves. We heard that South Africans were being pulled out of vehicles and attacked. We feel unsafe and that is why I directed that the mission should close down until further notice.”
Legit.ng previously reported that the government of President Muhamadu Buhari, on Wednesday, September 4, recalled Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks on Africans living in that country.
A presidential source said:
“Nigeria recalls ambassador to South Africa, pulls out of World Economic Summit, demands full compensation.”
Also previously reported by Legit.ng was that the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammadu Bello, appealed to residents to shun retaliatory attacks on South Africans and their businesses in the territory over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Bello said the federal government was making efforts to address the issue, urging residents to allow the efforts to succeed by shunning reprisal attacks.
The minister made the plea in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Anthony Ogunleye.
According to the minister, the South African businesses in the FCT are in partnership with Nigerian investors and are contributing to the economic development of the territory.
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MTN condemns acts of violence, prejudice and xenophobia.
ABUJA (Reuters) – The Nigerian division of South African telecom operator MTN said on Wednesday it will shut all stores and service centers in the country until further notice after its facilities in three cities were attacked.
The facilities were attacked in retaliation after days of riots in South Africa chiefly targeting foreign-owned, including Nigerian, businesses.
“The safety and security of our customers, staff and partners is our primary concern,” MTN Nigeria said in a statement.
“MTN condemns any acts of violence, prejudice and xenophobia.”
The latest wave of unrest in South Africa has raised fears of a recurrence of violence in 2015 aimed at foreigners and in which at least seven people were killed. Before that, some 60 people were killed in a wave of unrest around the country in 2008.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday he was urgently sending a special envoy to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa to secure the “safety of (Nigerian citizens’) lives and property”.
Police have yet to pinpoint what triggered the violence, which began on Sunday when protesters armed with makeshift weapons roamed the streets of Pretoria’s business district, pelting shops with rocks and petrol bombs and running off with goods.
Nigeria is MTN’s biggest market, with 58 million users in 2018 and accounts for a third of the South African group’s core profit.
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Nigeria and South Africa deeply in Diplomatic Row.
LAGOS – It took retaliations from angry Nigerians before the federal government of Nigeria could take a drastic and decisive decision on the incessant attacks on Nigerians residing in South Africa.
The xenophobic attacks in South Africa have worsened in the past week leading to the destruction and looting of many business premises including those owned by Nigerians. At least five people are reported killed in the attacks which the South African government said it is trying to curb. Many Nigerians have accused the South African government of not doing enough to stop the violence there.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, however, described the attacks by angry Nigerians on South African businesses as “deeply disturbing”, saying that targeting South African businesses is a “classic case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.”
Some angry Nigerians took to the street in some parts of the country on Tuesday attacking companies such as MTN, Shoprite, PEP, Dstv, all supposedly belonging to South Africa. Though, some hoodlums took advantage of the outrage against the treatment of their countrymen in South Africa.
A major South African clothing retailer, PEP which has one of its stores in Surulere area of Lagos, was looted on Tuesday evening. Videos and pictures of the looting were circulated by several Twitter users on Tuesday. Some hoodlums on Tuesday evening burned down the MTN office in Bodija, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Also in Lagos, at least a man was allegedly killed by policemen outside a Shoprite outlet in Lekki area of Lagos. Eyewitness accounts have it that the man was shot by the police while they (police) were trying to prevent looting of the shopping mall. A police vehicle was also reportedly burnt in the fracas.
The Information minister in a statement by his spokesman, Segun Adeyemi, said noted that those attacks on the companies were needless, adding that majority of the workers in the South African companies operating in Nigeria are also Nigerians.
Mohammed stated that Nigerian workers in the companies will be hardest hit if such companies are forced to shut down for fear of attacks.
While assuring Nigerians that the federal government was already taking decisive measures to put an end to the persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, the minister disclosed that, ”President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched a Special Envoy to convey to his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, his concerns and also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation.”
He also said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, acting on the instructions of President Buhari, summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria to get a brief on the situation.
He said Mr Onyeama expressed Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens and secured assurance of the safety of their lives and property.
Reactions have also continued pouring in from concerned individuals in the country. The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar, called for the involvement of the African Union (AU) in ending xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Atiku tweeted on Tuesday saying that urgent steps need to be taken with South African authorities and the AU on the issue.“Reported attacks against Nigerians in South Africa are unacceptable and stands condemned. Urgent steps need to be taken with the SA authorities and the African Union to bring an end to this ill wind that can only end up destroying the fabric of our African brotherhood,” he said.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa on her part, said that the intervention of the African Union (AU) would be vital in ending attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
She said that although she could not verify most of the videos of the attacks, whatever decisions needed to be taken could only be done at the ministerial level. “Sad, Reports from South Africa attacking foreigners. I can’t verify most of the videos. However, whatever decisions to be taken now can only be at the ministerial level. AU intervention may be crucial. This is not what we should be doing to ourselves as Africans,” she said on Monday.
Also, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, joined in condemning the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, describing the development as a betrayal of the key role Nigeria played to liberate the country from apartheid.
Osinbajo, who spoke in Kano during a visit to inaugurate the Energizing Education Power Project at Bayero University Kano, said: “Let me say first that these recent attacks are condemnable. It is very sad and very unfortunate that the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians living in South Africa are once again being destroyed with such wantonness and with such carelessness and recklessness.
“It is unfortunate because Nigeria and Nigerians invested a great deal in the destruction and the pulling down of apartheid. Besides, these acts of bigotry are entirely contrary to the very ideals that all the great South African leaders including the present President fought for, and for which many gave their lives.
“Mr. President has already spoken about this and obviously we are very concerned and certainly intend to take this up with the authorities in South Africa in order to ensure that this sort of thing does not repeat itself. This is absolutely unacceptable and unconscionable,” said Osinbajo.
However, the federal government has demanded for compensation for the victims affected by the attacks.
Speaking at a joint news briefing with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bobby Moroe, Onyeama, stated that the proposal also includes security collaboration between the two countries.
According to Onyeama, “We feel that very definitive measures have to be taken to stop once and for all this act of aggression and criminality against Nigerians in South Africa. For us, Nigerian government, we are determined that we should not have any reoccurrence of this going forward. So, we have to put in place mechanism to ensure that this does not occur.
“We made very concrete proposals to South African government today, and we believe if those measures are implemented, we will have a very good chance of ensuring that this does not reoccur. In the first place, we must address the issue of compensation. There has to be accountability and there has to be responsibility for compensating all those Nigerians that have suffered loss and we are going to absolutely push forward.
“Secondly, we believe that the two security forces (South Africa and Nigeria), can have an arrangement where there will be cooperation on the ground in South Africa to arrest such events and occurrences and this is obvious something we have to work out details with the South African government and hopefully, see us addressing at the field level the challenges caused by this incessant attacks so we have put that forward to the South Africa government. Very clear proposals and we will be discussing that and hopefully the South African government will support us in that initiative as we believe it will make all the difference.”
The minister said past efforts made to stem the incessant attacks included a jointly agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which the South African government was yet to sign.
Nigerians are hoping that these recent efforts by the federal government will address the situation in South Africa as President Muhammadu Buhari has already sent a special envoy down to South Africa to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa and register his displeasure over the killing of Nigerians in South Africa. The envoy is expected to land in Pretoria today (Thursday).
In a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said he was deeply concerned about the “reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019.”
The Presidency also stated that, already, Buhari had “instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria and get a brief on the situation; express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property.”
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Nigeria recalls ambassador to South Africa, pulls out of World Economic Summit, demands full compensation – presidential source.
The government of President Muhamadu Buhari, on Wednesday, September 4, recalled Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks on Africans resident in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said this in a short report quoting a presidential source.
“Nigeria recalls ambassador to South Africa, pulls out of World Economic Summit, demands full compensation – presidential source,” the report from the government agency said.
Legit.ng earlier reported that angry Nigerians went on rampage on Wednesday, September 4, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, in protest against attacks on the country’s citizens in South Africa.
The protesters blocked the roads, burnt tyres and attacked a mast belonging to one of the telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria.
They also stormed business organisations with roots in South Africa forcing men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to mobilize to the scene.
The report added that the protesters were prevented by the police from attacking the mall.
Also, on Wednesday, September 4, President Buhari held a meeting with Nigeria’s vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in the wake of reported xenophobic attacks South Africa.
The president held the strategic meeting with the vice president on Wednesday, September 4 at the Presidential Villa.
Also present at the meeting was the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
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How Nigerians expressed their anger over xenophobic attack in South Africa.
Anger on Tuesday greeted xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa with dignitaries and organisations including President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate and the House of Representatives, expressing their displeasure over the continued killing.
President Buhari specifically sent a special envoy to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, to express his deep concern about the “reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019.”
Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in compliance with Buhari’s directive, summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, to express Nigeria’s displeasure over the continued killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
In a statement in Abuja, the Presidency said the special envoy Buhari sent to Ramaphosa was expected to land in Pretoria by Thursday.
The statement, which was signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, did not give the name of the envoy.
It added that Buhari was deeply concerned about the “reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019.”
Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa have been the target of attacks since last week when a taxi driver was killed by an alleged drug peddler from Tanzania in Pretoria.
Foreign-owned businesses have been looted and burnt in different parts of the country.
As of Monday, three persons had been killed while one person was in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.
On his part, Osinbajo described the attacks as “reckless,” noting that the latest happenings “run against ideals South African leaders fought for.”
Osinbajo, while chatting with reporters in Kano on Tuesday, said, “It is unfortunate because Nigeria and Nigerians invested a great deal in the destruction and pulling down of apartheid. Besides, these acts of bigotry are entirely contrary to the very ideals that all the great South African leaders, including the present President fought for, and for which many gave their lives.”
Meanwhile, Onyeama has ruled out reprisals as a solution to the problem.
Rather, he said the Federal Government would continue to pursue the option of engaging the South African authorities to promote peace.
The minister, who spoke with State House Correspondents soon after he met with Buhari, explained that Nigeria did not believe that two wrongs would make a right.
Onyeama said, “The South African Government has assured us that they are doing everything possible to address the situation; that they are equally exasperated by the whole event.
“We believe that with that goodwill we may be able to work together to put in place these mechanisms that would make a difference.”
Onyeama also stated that another option being considered was to send Nigerian security agents to South Africa “to work closely with the South African Police Force.”
High Commission compiles victims’ list
However, the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria has begun compiling a list of the victims of the xenophobic attacks.
The mission directed Nigerians who were affected by the violence to come forward.
The Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Kabiru Bala, in a statement in Pretoria on Tuesday, said, “The High Commission and the Consulate in Pretoria and Johannesburg are compiling the list of all the Nigerian victims of the current anarchy for engagement with the South African government and other stakeholders for succour.
“In this regard, all Nigerian victims of the current attacks are requested to come forward to report their situation to the High Commission and the Consulate.”
The envoy said the two missions would continue to be home to all Nigerians “in this trying times and in the future,” noting that the mission had remained open since the outbreak of violence.
FG summons SA High Commissioner
Onyeama has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, over the attacks.
A senior MFA official, Kimiebi Ebenfa, confirmed this in a WhatsApp message.
It read, “I am directed to inform you that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has summoned the High Commissioner of South Africa for a meeting.”
Rep asks FG to recall envoy, House to suspend recess over attacks
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is planning to suspend members’ ongoing two-month annual recess to reconvene to address the xenophobic attacks.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced on his verified Twitter handle, @femigbaja, on Tuesday, saying the lower chamber of the National Assembly might reconvene for a one-day session to address the attacks.
The House was to resume plenary on September 14.
The Speaker tweeted, “(I) Will be cutting short my trip to Tanzania for the 50th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference @CPA Secretariat and will be leaving today, for the leadership of the @HouseNGR to consider cutting short the recess and reconvening for one day to address the killing of Nigerians in SA.”
It was learnt that several members of the House mounted pressure on the leadership to take a decisive action on the attacks.
However, the Vice Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, Musiliudeen Akinremi, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to recall Nigeria’s envoy to South Africa and close down the SA’s embassy in the country.
Akinremi said, “Enough is enough and an injustice to one is an injustice to all. These actions taken against Nigerians by South Africans are so unjustified and are an international crime against humanity.”
South Africa, AU need to act fast —Atiku
However, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday called on the South African government and the African Union to urgently address the ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreigners in the country.
He made this call via his verified Twitter handle in a tweet, he personally signed.
He said,
“Reported attacks against Nigerians in South Africa are unacceptable and stand condemned. Urgent steps need to be taken with the SA authorities and the African Union to bring an end to this ill wind that can only end up destroying the fabric of our African brotherhood. -AA”
Senate condemns attacks
Also, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday condemned the attacks on Nigerians.
Lawan in a statement said, “Nigeria has had enough of its citizens being targets of these attacks and will no longer tolerate hate crimes in any form against its citizens who are doing legitimate business in that country.
“Xenophobic violence is most condemnable anywhere; more so in South Africa, a country whose citizens benefited from the support and solidarity of Africans and freedom lovers across the world in their historic struggle against apartheid.”
Suspend diplomatic ties with S’Africa, Ekweremadu tells FG
But the immediate past deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, called on the Federal Government to consider suspension of diplomatic ties with South Africa until things were put right.
In a statement on Tuesday, he called on the AU to summon an emergency meeting with a view to sanctioning South Africa.
He stated,
“I find the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa very un-African, barbaric, and unparalleled acts of ingratitude.
“It is quite disturbing that the Government of South Africa has not taken decisive steps to end these attacks, which have led to wanton loss of lives and property of fellow Africans, especially Nigerians.
“The attacks defy and desecrate everything African broterhood stands for, especially for a country that gained freedom with the support, sweat, and sacrifice of fellow African nations among which Nigeria clearly stands out.
“The attacks have reached scary and desperate degrees and call for desperate actions on the part of Nigeria, other African nations, and the African Union.
“It will therefore not be out of place for the Federal Government to suspend diplomatic relations with SA until full assurance of safety of Nigerians and their properties in South African is secured, adequate compensation paid for the damages, and the perpetrators also brought to book.
“…The AU should therefore summon an emergency session to sanction South Africa; and a suspend from the Union for unprovoked acts of hostilities against fellow Africans whose countries fought for the freedom they enjoy today will not be out of place.”
‘Fix Nigeria, make migration unattractive’
However, a Lagos-based lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, has said the Federal Government should make emigration unattractive by fixing the country as a means of tackling the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Ogunye, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said, “My belief is that if we fix our country, it will make our country a veritable sanctuary for our people so that if they are being harassed elsewhere, they can come home and then earn a decent living.”
Celebrities condemn attacks
Meanwhile, Nigerian celebrities including Toke Makinwa, Funke Akindele, Mo Abudu, among others, have condemned the attacks on Nigerians and other Africans.
The celebrities took to their social media platforms to implore the government to seek for a peaceful resolution to the issue.
Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, wrote, “Must violence be the solution to every problem? I woke up to horrific pictures and videos of our country men being attacked and killed. This has to stop o!”
Similarly, Mo Abudu, of EbonyLife TV wrote,
“The xenophobic attacks happening in South Africa right now are complete and misplaced anger. We owe it to ourselves as Africans to unite. It’s the only way forward.”
Also, On-air-personality, Toke Makinwa, described the attacks as a huge blow on Africa as a continent.
Also, a monarch, Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama, Tegbosin II, said Nigerians in South Africa should return home to pick up the pieces of their lives.
The monarch in a statement said, “Despite the show of brotherliness and for being a pillar of support during the apartheid regime, the South Africans have not reciprocated the same gesture towards Nigerians living on their soil.”
Save Nigerians, Shehu Sani tells FG
Also, a former vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Shehu Sani, has asked President Buhari to make instant arrangements to stop the attacks on Nigerians.
Sani in a statement challenged the government of South Africa to protect the lives of Nigerians while the Nigerian government should stop barking and take action to save its people.
He said,
“Nigerian Government should not continue to bark like a coward dog and the South African Government should not continue to sleep like a tortoise while innocent people are being killed. Africans unleashing violence on fellow Africans on the African soil is a shame to Africans and the black race.”
Orji Kalu calls for retaliation
But the Chief Whip of the Ninth Senate, Dr Orji Kalu, has called on Nigerians to retaliate rather than wait on the South Africans to fish out the perpetrators.
Kalu in a statement issued by his media team on Tuesday said, “The gruesome killing, looting, arson of property belonging to Nigerians and attack of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa are ill-conceived, disheartening and wicked.
“Those mindless criminals who attacked and prevented law-abiding Nigerians to freely conduct their business must be made to pay for their crimes. Arresting them is not enough.
“If the South African Government does not do more to protect the lives of Nigerians, there should be no reason to allow them to operate freely in Nigeria. All their enterprises deserve to be closed down including MTN, DSTV and Shoprite.”
APC demands ANC’s intervention
But the All Progressives Congress has condemned the attacks and urged the biggest political party in South Africa, the African National Congress, to intervene with a view to stopping the attacks.
The APC, according to a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said Nigeria deserved a better deal from South Africa.
The statement said, “As a party, we are deeply saddened by these unwarranted attacks. Nigeria deserves a better deal from South Africa. It is too early for South Africans to forget their country’s history.
“Many of the key players in the struggle against apartheid are still alive and active in the country’s national affairs. We therefore cannot understand why there seems to be a conspiracy of silence on their part.”
The APC said the violence being meted out to Nigerians under an ANC-led administration called to question the very essence of the struggle against apartheid in which Nigeria was a frontline ally of South Africa.
‘Attacks may cause diplomatic row’
Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has said the unending attacks may cause diplomatic row between South Africa and Nigeria.
In a statement on Tuesday, the senator said Nigerians were ready to vent their anger on South Africans and their business interests in Nigeria.
The statement read,
“If we are not careful, this issue may escalate into a row between the two countries with very dire consequences. To avoid this situation, the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations will be meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this week to arrest the situation.”
MTN condemns xenophobic attacks
Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria has condemned attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, said the company was against all forms of violence and xenophobia against people.
“MTN Nigeria strongly condemns hate, prejudice and xenophobia and reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of all violence. We seek to connect people, bring people together and provide a platform for everyone’s voice to be heard. We are against all forms of bigotry and discrimination; they should have no place in society,” he added.
SOURCE:
President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the killings of Nigerians by South Africans.
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killings of Nigerians by South Africans and has sent special envoy to the country to convey his concerns on the situation to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, September 3, by special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina.
Adesina said President Muhammadu Buhari noted with deep concern series of attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019.
He said:
“Consequently, the president has instructed the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African high commissioner to Nigeria and get a brief on the situation; express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property.
“President Buhari has also dispatched a special envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa his concerns and also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation.”
According to the statement, the special envoy is expected to arrive in Pretoria latest Thursday, September 5.
Legit.ng previously reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa reacted to the killings of Nigerians in that country, saying there can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries.
President Ramaphosa on Tuesday, September 3, said the people of South Africa want to live in harmony, adding that whatever the issue is, it should be handled in a democratic way.
He said:
“The people of our country want to live in harmony; whatever concerns or grievances we may have, we need to handle them in a democratic way. There can be no justification for any South African to attack people from other countries.”
SOURCE:
How Nigeria moved from 45th to 33rd position in FIFA World Rankings.
Nigeria have moved up to 33rd place in the Fifa World Rankings released on Thursday for the month of July.
On the back of their bronze-winning feat in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles climbed 12 places from their 45th position in June, accruing 1481 points.
After finishing second in the group stage, Gernot Rohr’s men edged out five-time African champions Cameroon in the Round of 16 and went on to defeat 1996 champions South Africa in the quarter-final.
The three-time African champions, after losing to Algeria in the semi-final, clinch a narrow 1-0 victory over Tunisia in the third/fourth-place playoff to claim their eighth bronze medal in the tournament.
The Super Eagles, however, remain third in Africa behind Senegal (20th), who won the silver medal in the continental tournament in Egypt and Tunisia (29th), who finished fourth in the competition.
Reigning African Champions Algeria moved up 28 places to 40th position and fourth in Africa while Morocco (41st) are placed fifth.
Belgium remain the top-ranked team in the world while reigning South American champions, Brazil are second and France third.
SOURCE:
https://sports.yahoo.com/nigeria-climb-33rd-latest-fifa-113325835.html
Why NANS shut down South African Businesses in Nigeria?
Some members of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Benue State, on Thursday, took to major roads in Makurdi in protest against the inhuman treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.
The students also locked up the offices of some companies linked to South Africa operating in Makurdi.
The students marched to the MTN and DSTV offices as well as the Shoprite mall in the state capital and shut them down.
The protest was led by the zonal deputy national coordinator of the association, Owoicho Aba.
Aba, who decried the killing of Nigerians in South Africa, noted that the students would not allow South African businesses to run in Nigeria.
He said the students had been mandated to close down all South African businesses in Nigeria, including MTN, DSTV and Shoprite.
According to him, if Nigerian businesses cannot enjoy the peace and support that South African businesses enjoy from the Federal Government, the only reasonable thing would be to close down all South African businesses in the country.
Aba stated,
“It is very painful to see that the citizens of a country, which supported South Africa to attain freedom are being massacred. Nigeria fought hard to stop apartheid and now, the South Africans are paying us back with evil.
“We will not allow any South African business to thrive until a concrete arrangement is put in place to guarantee the safety of Nigerians in South Africa. We want to draw the attention of the international community to the dastardly act of killing Nigerians in South Africa.”
An MTN manager, Vera Obe, who spoke with the students, expressed the organisation’s concern over the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
She assured the students that actions were being taken to nip the ugly incident in the bud.
SOURCE:
Nwankwo Kanu hailed Nigerians for their support as Super Eagles slid into semi final of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Nigeria and Arsenal legend, Nwankwo Kanu has hailed Nigerians for their support as Super Eagles slid into semi final of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Kanu, who had earlier expressed confidence that Gernot Rohr’s men would beat the Bafana Bafana at the Cairo International Stadium, congratulated Super Eagles on their victory against South Africa on Wednesday night.
Samuel Chukwueze gave Super Eagles a 1-0 lead at the break after an assist from Alex Iwobi.
However, South Africa levelled in the second half, thanks to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision.
With the match looking to head into extra time, William Troost-Ekong forced the ball over the line in the final minute of play.
The 42-year-old, in a video posted on his official Twitter page on Wednesday, wrote:
“Incredible support from Nigeria Super Eagles fans. Another fantastic win well done boys.
“The boys gave it a great teamwork effort and push. We are all proud. Nigeria officially through to the #caf2019 semifinals. We thank God.”
The victory over South Africa means Nigeria will now play the winner between Ivory Coast and Algeria in the semi-final on Sunday.
Incredible support from @ng_supereagles fans. Another fantastic win well done boys.The boys gave it a great teamwork effort and push. We are all proud. Nigeria officially through to the #caf2019 semifinals. We thank God.
.
.#goal #football #semifinals #Nigeria #africa #Egypt2019 pic.twitter.com/BnnBeJebTu
— Kanu Nwankwo (@papilokanu) July 10, 2019.
SOURCE:
Nigeria Vs South Africa: How Kanu Nwankwo reacted to Super Eagles 2-1 AFCON victory [VIDEO]
“We are very happy we won this game against them–William Troost Ekong
Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong, has blamed himself for the first goal Nigeria conceived against South Africa at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation, AFCON, quarter-final encounter on Wednesday night.
He also identified Gernot Rohr’s side as the favourite team to win this year’s AFCON after dumping South Africa out from the competition with a 2-1 victory.
The 25-year-old, who scored the winning goal against South Africa, noted that before the quarter-final, it was the host nation, Egypt that were favourite to win the AFCON but the Bafana Bafana defeated them last weekend.
“Before the game we showed South Africa a lot of respect because they are a good team,” Troost-Ekong told SuperSport.
“We played them last year in the qualification and they won us at home and we drew at their home.
“We are very happy we won this game against them. And I am happy to have scored the winning goal after the mistake I made in the goal we conceived against them during the second half.
“We have a very good team to win the AFCON and before the quarter final everybody were talking about Egypt as the favourite to win this year’s AFCON and South Africa beat them and after that they became favourite and now we have beaten South Africa.”
SOURCE:
Nigeria vs South Africa: Troost-Ekong blames one Super Eagles player, names favourite to win AFCON
How Nigeria ousted holders and bitter rivals Cameroon from Nations Cup.
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) – Nigeria ousted holders and bitter rivals Cameroon from the Africa Cup of Nations as they scored twice in three minutes to come from behind and win a thrilling last-16 match 3-2 on Saturday.
Odion Ighalo gave Nigeria a 19th-minute lead but Cameroon hit back with two goals in quick succession before halftime from Stephane Bahoken and Clinton Njie to take a 2-1 lead.
Ighalo levelled again for Nigeria in the 63rd minute amid suspicions of offside before Alex Iwobi snatched the winner for the jubilant Super Eagles three minutes later.
The win earned Nigeria a quarter-final against hosts Egypt or South Africa who were meeting later on Saturday.
CULLED FROM:
Why is human life becoming endangered?
The rate at which hatred is eaten up the existence of humanity is mind-boggling and mind-blowing.
How can someone explain reference the gory incidence of maiming, murdering and shedding of innocent blood that has become a continuous reality of our daily lifes.
Across the length and breadth of the entire world, human lifes are becoming cheap that it cost nothing but a wave and a rage of fury to take it.
Human existence is gradually becoming endangered and going into extinction by human beings itself and it is becoming stylishly acceptable as a way of life globally.
Every nation of the world has been seen and observed to have its portion of these waves of wickedness and madness that has defied any form of reasonable solution.
Domestic violence, insurgency, cult clash, gangsterism, xenophobism, armed banditry, police brutality, armed robbery and all sorts of vices have been a threat to human existence in recent years.
No single day passes bye without news and record of blood shedding and letting across the entire global community.
It is becoming appalling ,disheartening and overwhelming to every sane mind that this level of sheer wickedness should be the present reality of human race.
Sheer wickedness by human to human makes it more worrisome and frustrating.
How can hatred be so deep to the extent that it led to shedding of blood. This really shows that the premium placed on human life and the values placed on human existence is becoming compromised to the extent that human life is being seen as a material that should be sacrificed cheaply on the slaughters’ slab.
The repeated and the recurrent xenophobic attack witnessed in South Africa is gradually becoming a cultural heritage for the South African society. It is becoming a show of might, cruelty and a ritual whereby whenever South African locals who are vampires and thirsty of blood will just scavenge for any available foreigner as prey and sacrificed to their gods.
South African Society seems to be a society that is densely populated with blood sucking psychopaths who are desperate about nothing but the flesh, blood and souls of foreigners who are seen as a burden to their commonwealth.
Though, frantic efforts have been made by the Nigerian Government engaging the South African Government about the recurrent decimal of innocent Nigerians been maimed and killed, it is quite worrisome as the numbers of Nigerians being sacrificed becomes high annually.
Despite the contribution of Nigeria Government and its citizens in nipping in the bud the apartheid era in South Africa. It is appalling that Nigerians are being paid back with their lifes being sacrificed to xenophobic attack.
It is high time Nigeria Government take a decisive action that will nip in the bud the xenophobic attack being directed to Nigerians by South African locals.
Though, a government that cannot protect and preserve that lifes of her citizenry at home front should not be expected to be reasonable in protecting and preserving the lifes of her citizen in diaspora.
Nigerians cannot continue to be subjected to insensitivity, barbarism and inhumanity in the hands of South Africans blood sucking psychopathic demons.
Let’s preserve human lifes.
Let’s protect human sanctity.
Let’s uphold the dignity of every human beings.
Ref:
©mlstcommunications 2019
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