On the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

T HERE have been reports of how Nigerians have been attacked in South Africa and some other countries. Nigerians living in South Africa were attacked up to four times in February. Nigerians shops are looted with impunity.

It was earlier reported that 116 Nigerians had been killed in the country in the last two years. This caused a lot of outcry among Nigerians.

Nigerians that are working or studying in South Africa now live in fear. Some Nigerians in India were also attacked over the death of an Indian student.

South Africans accuse Nigerians of overpopulating their country, taking away their jobs and, strangely, even snatching their women. However, as pointed out by many informed commentators, South Africans tend to be rather unwilling to take on odd jobs and struggle hard for a living. Like many Americans, they prefer a life of luxury.

But Nigerians, far away from home and eager to build a prosperous future for themselves, are willing to do all kinds of odd jobs to eke out a living. They do not mind sweeping the streets; they hustle, and they eventually become successful.

Yes, some Nigerians engage in crimes, but that is why there is law-enforcement in South Africa and elsewhere. It is simply not true that Nigerians take away South African jobs; they cannot realistically do so.

I would like to say that there is no tangible reason for the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and other countries. The fact that the Federal Government needs to intervene in this case must be emphasised, because it is almost impossible for all Nigerians in South Africa to come back home.

I commend the strides that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has made so far on this matter and urge that he should not relent in his efforts.

The Federal Government, the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and security agencies in the country should come together and work towards making South Africa a peaceful country for Nigerians that are there for one reason or the other.

    Faith Adeniyi

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