Egg heads from University of Uyo (UNIUYO) and civil society organisations (CSOs) don express serious worry about deep division and political disharmony wey dey affect Africa growth and development. Dem gather for global Africa Day Summit under The Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI).
Key resource persons, mostly from academia, regret say neocolonialism influence still dey waka for continent long after independence across 54 African countries. Dem note say such alliances don hinder Africa from harnessing her rich potential for self-actualisation.
The forum condemn in strong terms the perennial xenophobic attacks for South Africa and neighbouring Ghana against fellow black Africans, including Nigerians. Dis dey rubbish the ‘Ubuntu’ values wey dey bind continent together.
Dem wonder why Africans need visa and other immigration documents to travel to sister countries for Africa. Dem note say such restrictions don become antithetical to growth and development of continent, and call for relaxation of impositions for ease of doing business, as such protocols no dey imposed for American nations.
TPADI President, Prof. Effiong Udoh, address forum on behalf of others for press conference to mark Africa Day. He explain say the event aim to reawaken Nigeria leadership capacity and historical mission for strong, virile and prosperous Africa.
Just as he dey speak, Nigerian community for South Africa say no fewer than 105 Nigerians don die for the country over past seven years, following wave of xenophobic attacks against migrants. Dis one dey contained for statement signed by community leaders, Smart Nwobi and Frank Onyekwelu, of Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) and Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA).
The statement dismiss South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) report wey attribute to South Africa Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). The report claim say migrants no dey killed for South Africa. But the community note say over years, migrants, particularly Nigerians, don be victims of fatal xenophobic incidents, including alleged extra-judicial killings, mob attacks, vigilante violence, shootings, and unlawful use of force.
While dem acknowledge importance of responsible public communication and need to avoid inflammatory narratives, the community say e equally important to unveil painful realities wey Nigerians and other foreign nationals dey experience.
The statement further stress say about eight Nigerians reportedly lose their lives under tragic circumstances for 2024, while for 2025, eight others similarly die for shootings, violent confrontations, and deaths for police custody.
So the community urge South African authorities to intensify efforts to protect lives and rights of all residents, irrespective of nationality or immigration status. Dem also call on authorities to ensure thorough, transparent, and impartial investigations into all reported cases involving violent attacks, deaths in custody, and alleged extra-judicial killings.
Meanwhile, Federal Government no don fix date for evacuation of Nigerians wey want return from South Africa, despite mounting fears over renewed anti-foreigner protests and rising tension for parts of country. Officials for Ministry of Foreign Affairs say arrangements for voluntary repatriation still dey finalised, even as at least 130 Nigerians don register with Nigerian mission for South Africa to return home.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, confirm say discussions dey ongoing but decline to provide timeline for exercise. He insist say no official date don approve for return of affected citizens.
Funding constraints dey slow down repatriation efforts. Senior ministry official familiar with discussions disclose say Federal Government no likely fully sponsor evacuation, citing financial constraints. The official note say citizens go expect to cover their own travel costs to return to Nigeria. Dis approach differ significantly from Ghana, whose authorities don begin repatriate citizens from South Africa at government expense following fears of resurgence in xenophobic violence.
Anti-foreigner protests don intensify across major South African cities. Some departing Ghanaians tell reporters dem no longer feel safe remaining for South Africa as protests spread across several provinces. One departing citizen, Rudolph, wey live for South Africa for 10 years and operate salon business, say he decide to leave because environment don become entirely untenable for foreign nationals.
The protests for South Africa don intensify in recent weeks, especially for Pretoria and Johannesburg, with demonstrators accusing undocumented migrants of contributing to unemployment, insecurity, and pressure on public services. The unrest don link to anti-immigrant groups like Operation Dudula and March and March, movements wey repeatedly demand removal of undocumented foreign nationals from country.
Diplomatic missions don issue emergency travel certificates. Although Nigerian officials insist situation no don degenerate into full-blown crisis, concerns dey grow within diaspora community over safety and possibility of further attacks on foreign nationals and businesses. The ministry source explain say situation currently dey view as social unrest rather than outright disaster, wey complicate federal funding allocations for emergency evacuation.
To facilitate process, the source add say Nigerians without valid passports go issue Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) by Nigerian High Commission for Pretoria to enable dem travel back home. Consultations don reach advanced stages within government circles, including discussions involving Minister of Foreign Affairs, but official timelines remain pending.
President Bola Tinubu don direct say safety of Nigerians abroad remain priority amid growing anti-foreigner agitation. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, say for statement posted for her X handle say President Tinubu don direct that priority at this time remains safety of our citizens. Arrangements dey currently underway to collate details of Nigerians for South Africa for voluntary repatriation flights for those seeking assistance to return home.
According to minister, number of Nigerians seeking evacuation go increase as more residents indicate interest in returning. Nigerian associations for South Africa dey currently assist country diplomatic mission in compiling data from citizens interested in exercise.
Nigeria don demand justice over deaths of citizens. Odumegwu-Ojukwu express concern over resurgence of anti-foreigner protests, saying President Tinubu don urge South African authorities to strengthen protection for foreign nationals and prevent further escalation. The minister also confirm deaths of two Nigerian nationals in separate incidents allegedly involving South African security operatives.
According to minister, Amamiro Emmanuel die on April 25 after allegedly being assaulted by members of South African National Defence Force for Port Elizabeth, while another Nigerian, Nnaemeka Andrew, reportedly die following encounter with officers of Tshwane Metro Police. Dis one dey utterly condemnable and unacceptable. Nigeria High Commission dey closely follow investigations into these unfortunate incidents and Nigeria demand justice.
Xenophobic unrest don strain historical diplomatic ties. Nigeria don summon South Africa High Commissioner over incidents as diplomatic engagements continue between both countries. High-ranking lawmakers don also speak out against renewed attacks on Nigerians for South Africa. The latest tensions don again draw attention to recurring xenophobic attacks for South Africa and fragile relations between local communities and African migrants living for country.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu recall Nigeria support for South Africa during anti-apartheid struggle, noting say continued attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals undermine spirit of African solidarity. While both countries previously sign memorandum of understanding on early warning mechanisms aimed at preventing future outbreaks of xenophobic violence, the minister stress say stronger implementation dey urgently needed to stop cycle of hostility.
