Xenophobia: Lawmaker Calls For Evacuation Of Nigerians From South Africa - Foreign Affairs

Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, Chairperson,
House of Representatives Committee on
Foreign Affairs, has called for the
evacuation of Nigerians within 24 hours
from South Africa owing to ongoing
attacks on non-indigenes. Ukeje (PDP-
Abia) made the appeal in a phone
interview with newsmen on Thursday in
Ibadan.
She said that the call was necessary
because of increasing attacks on
Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike in
South Africa. “The Federal Government of
Nigeria should rise up to the occasion by
having contingency plans to evacuate
Nigerians within 24 hours to avoid us
losing our citizens to these attacks.
“It is expedient to think of where all
Nigerians can gather within 24 hours for
safety either in our embassy or mission
for the safety of our citizens,’’ she said.
The lawmaker suggested that a concrete
arrangement with some airlines should
be made to evacuate Nigerians back
home. She also urged the National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
to equally mobilise to take care of the
returnees.
Ukeje noted with concern that that the
xenophobia was degenerating to
Afrophobia as many black Africans,
including Nigerians, were being attacked
from Johannesburg to Durban. She
advised the Nigerian government against
delay till some of her citizens are killed
in the latest attacks before implementing
its citizen diplomacy policy.
“Unfortunately, there is no serious
condemnation from South Africa
government on this attacks, hence the
need for Nigerian government to be
proactive and rescue her citizens as
soon as possible,’’ she said.
She expressed surprise that South Africa
that housed African Parliament and other
institutions of Africa in the continent
could descend so low to the extent of her
nationals attacking other Africans living
in that country. Ukeje said her committee
was in close contact with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs to see what could be
done to protect Nigerians in South
Africa, while the House is to engage
relevant stakeholders on the matter.
Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman,
House of Representatives Committee on
Diaspora, also told pressmen on phone
that a motion on the issue would be
tabled during the plenary session of the
House. Dabiri-Erewa (APC-Lagos)
condemned the attacks on Nigerians
living in South Africa, saying it was
disgusting for South Africans to be
treating Nigerians like that despite the
Nigeria’s role during the apartheid
struggle.
Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State
II, for Foreign Affairs, has said that no
Nigerian was killed in the attack against
foreigners in South Africa. “We are
following the developments in South
Africa and efforts are being made to
protect Nigerian citizens in South
Africa,’’ Obanikoro assured.
Source:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/
xenophobia-rep-calls-for-evacuation-of-
nigerians-from-south-africa/