Black on Black Attack in South Africa

WHEN in the 1970s Nigeria provided accommodation for South African nationalists and citizens to escape persecution from apartheid, and develop their intellect, it was for altruistic objective, that apartheid would be defeated; South Africans would enjoy inalienable rights, evolve a society of their own and an economy good enough to provide good life.

TODAY, Nigeria continues to provide a conducive atmosphere for South African business to earn substantial income to power her economy.  South African investments are thriving well in Nigeria, and their books would indicate that Nigeria is a major market crucial to their financial health.  Nigerian policymakers of the 1970s and South African nationalists of the era did not anticipate that some Nigerians would sojourn in South Africa in the future that is now, perhaps they would have gladly worked out a ‘testament’ to regulate relationships between their peoples.  Uncertainties of this nature have motivated public officials in similar circumstances to be innovative and resourceful.

IT is from this perspective that we of The Hope believe that Nigerians, South Africans and African policymakers must attend to the policy challenges issuing from South Africa.  It is natural for a people to extend goodwill to another, and for a people to enjoy such goodwill as it comes.  It is also African to believe that the man of strength would prosper the more to be able to dole out goodwill the more, rather than depreciate and draw benefit from her former dependants.  If only Nigerian public officials  had employed the strategic potentials of the Nigerian economy as a market, and take advantage of possibilities for patriotic purposes such contradictions in perception would have been avoided and Nigerian citizens would not have presented themselves as cheap sacrifice or taken for destitute in a land less endowed than theirs.

THE HOPE believes that Africans must look into a future of United States of Africa and in that respect, we must begin to understand and reconcile factors of disunity.  They are better reconciled when the different units play up their best hands for leadership responsibilities.  To be sure, if the Nigerian elite had allowed past investment efforts in communication, banking, education and other sectors to succeed, perhaps there would have been no need for MTN, Shoprite, Stanbic IBTC, on our shores.  If the elite had harnessed natural resources at home properly, optimally Nigerians going abroad would have been more confident, more honourable and more dignified.  Any surprise that the white folks not more than 15 per cent of the population control the economy and are not target of hate and attack?  In spite of the attack on Nigerians, of a population of over 800,000, in South Africa only 400 have indicated intention to take advantage of free passage and return home.  It must be borne in mind that Nigerian professionals, academics and businessmen go about their chores in South Africa as we speak unmolested.

WHILE attacks on Nigerians and other Africans remain condemnable because they are despicable, are we not surprised at the new found love of politicians for citizens as they make speech after speech condemning South Africans and their government whereas had they shown such patriotism for motherland, Nigeria would have been more conducive for her nationals to do legitimate business.  Supposing the political class had fixed power supply, provided infrastructure, ensured security of livelihood, lives and property, would not Nigerians and Nigeria have earned respect of other Africans?

It is a shame that South Africans have treated many Nigerians to indignities, but do our governments treat us any better?  Malians, Nigeriens, Chadians who overrun our farms and plunder our settlements treat us to greater contempt on our own soil than South Africans that humiliate us in their cities.  Ghanaian authorities are always threatening Nigerian businessmen and women in their country with expulsion and deportation. In Benin Republic, Nigerians are ridiculed and harassed.  Nigerian travelers have tales of woe to tell from capitals of nations all over the world.

As we process the insult from South Africa, let us address the calamities from Libya and the Middle East, from Europe and America.  Nelson Mandela told a Nigerian years ago that Nigeria stood by South Africa more than any nation but let herself down and Africa and the black race very badly.  To redeem her image, Nigeria has to do something about corruption and crimes, and this is the responsibility of all citizens.

NIGERIA is well endowed with men and women of high quality.  These are the ones to be entrusted with authority to preside over her affairs, govern her people and represent her interests, not those that buy votes from the electorate and confidently loot the treasury, Nigeria deserves high quality leadership and should draw it from the class of decent, competent, qualified and well acknowledged citizens.

IT is they that would make policies that would relegate corruption and crime.  They would make way for decent citizens to go to South Africa and the world, where they would earn respect.