Condemnation of xenophobic attacks in South Africa continued on Friday, as students of polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education on the auspices of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) stormed Oyo State secretariat, Ibadan, on Friday, to express displeasure at the continued silence of South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma and the African Union on the issue.
The students, prior to arriving the state secretariat, stormed the Onireke, Ibadan office of South Africa owned company, DSTV, in protest, forcing workers there to shut their gate.
NAPS President, Mr Gbenga Adeyeye, who spoke on behalf of the protesting students, decried as worrisome the unabated killings and looting of Nigerians in South Africa with no sanctions of persons carrying out the attacks.
He further noted the need for the Nigerian government to call the South African government to order and review it’s diplomatic ties, if the xenophobic attacks continue.
“While this killings, maiming and looting has continued, the disappointing aspect is that President Jacob Zuma has not made any responsible statement whether in form of apologising to Nigerians on behalf of his citizens that have heaped mayhem on Nigerians. This is worrisome.”
“Nigeria contributed a lot to the emancipation of South Africa and we must be respected. The magnitude of fear, mental incarceration that has enveloped the communities of Nigerian nationals is great. We want the African Union to start talking, start sanctioning.”
“If South Africa can no longer accommodate our people, it is not a crime for Nigeria to review our diplomatic ties with them. Let’s withdraw our people and ask them to leave their country. We have abundant resources to take care of ourselves and be at par with developed economies if we have responsible leadership,” he said.
Addressing the protesting students, Oyo Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
While stating that the issue was being attended to at the diplomatic level, Olowofela urged former President of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki to also intervene in arresting the trend.
He expressed optimism that the Nigerian government would not rest on its oars in ensuring that Nigerians in South Africa do not suffer any form of injustice.
“Xenophobic attack is commendable. The government of Nigeria paid enormous price for the freedom of South Africa. This issue is being addressed at the diplomatic level.
“Also, Thabo Mbeki must do something. Nigerians in South Africa should be of good behaviour but the government of Nigeria will not tolerate a situation where our people in South Africa suffer any form of injustice,” Olowofela said.
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