Charity at home for a living in South Africa

By Theo Adebowale
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South Africa has been the major focus of Nigeria in the last two weeks. Trust Nigerians, they have made a lot of issues of the Black on Black attacks, erroneously referred to as xenophobia. The social media has shown cases of attacks on Nigerians for quite sometime such that one could believe that they have come to live with that reality. As it turned out, xenophobia was loading then. Nollywood would do well to help reconstruct it, may be reproduce it so we can have a clearer view and a better understanding.

This is necessary to take delivery of the various lessons to the benefit of every student. The History class has been doling out several topics and tutorial sessions often by incompetent and unqualified self appointed unresourceful personnel. History must be made to achieve its objective which would be easily accomplished by appropriately taking cognizance of location, time and purpose of delivery. This was accomplished by South African political leaders who refreshed their fellow citizens of the key role Nigeria played in the fight against Apartheid and the struggle for independence. It was a subject they are well placed to address and many of them did brilliantly in handling it.

There are also Nigerians who recall sacrifices made by individuals and the Federal Government. They gleefully recall how Nigeria was at the fore front of agitation for end to white supremacist rule, termination of discrimination against Blacks on their own land, and call for majority rule. They do not forget to educate us that Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki two past South African Presidents were prominent among nationalists accommodated in Nigeria during the struggle for independence. This is very useful for our education. Nigerian academics, professionals and businessmen in South Africa who are engrossed in their legitimate daily routine are likely to be encouraged to do better.

One is proud of these Nigerians who are doing great all over the world. Many of them extend kindness to fellow Nigerians by encouraging them and even sponsoring them to come over. Some have been taught bitter lessons by fellow Nigerians who paid them evil for good. Over there in South Africa, a Nigerian provided accommodation for fellow citizens hoping to help them through the teething season of settling down. In no time, they found their level, as in settling down, and embarked on untoward activities.

Then they decided to dispossess their host of his property. He paid through his nose, but it was evidently the grace of God that helped him to recover the building. We are saddened by reports of Nigerians who rented apartments to run restaurants or boutiques, or provide other services only to engage in drug peddling and prostitution because, according to reports, South African laws are liberal, the police cannot just swoop on occupants. Our History teachers have a responsibility to inform these shameless Nigerians that when Nigeria was providing support for South African independence, she did not request that she would tolerate unscrupulous citizens who would come to take advantage of her liberal laws.

It is worrisome that some Nigerians would question the authority of South African citizens to revolt against foreigners who violate their norms and break their laws. Nigerians may watch Malians, Sudanese, Chadians, Nigerians and Somalian herdsmen overrun their farms and kill their citizens. Their governments may even proceed to build settlements for the foreigners to facilitate their trade and practice. It is a choice. It would be senseless to expect the same treatment when they go to other countries. Thank God that majority of Nigerians in other lands including South Africa are not only well behaved, but also make positive impact on the economies and communities in such places, we have a duty to insist that all those who go abroad must respect the law and norms of their host communities. This must have been the reasoning of our President who refused to be guarded to taking harsh diplomatic action against South Africa.

It is regrettable that South African activities engaged in wanton destruction of lives and property. Much as this is condemnable, the lesson would be indelible for criminals who go outside to deliberately engage in activities that earn Nigerians a bad name. because sentence against their dastardly acts is not executed speedily, shameless Nigerians get their heart set to behave criminally in foreign lands. Beyond that, they urge the home country to take drastic action in haste and inadvertently cover their crimes and justify their reprehensible behavior. Frausdters, drug peddlers, and all criminals who soil the name of Nigeria must be identified wherever they are. They must be made to pay heavily for their sins so we can sanitise our system.

Indeed, this would help us to impress it on those who come to Nigeria to comport themselves honorably. Again, we would be communicating to individuals and groups in Nigeria that communities and governments would no longer tolerate any untoward conduct by individuals and groups. It would provide practical notice to employers of labor that they can no longer come here to treat Nigerians in their employment as slaves. Factory workers in Asian establishments and other foreign investments can feel the preparedness of the Nigerian government and fellow citizens to insist that they be accorded fair treatment in all situations.

 A parent that rushes out to rescue a wayward child should take heart if she meets with disgrace. The Nigerian state should provide necessary conditions at home to encourage good citizenship. This should include a conducive atmosphere for legitimate business. If only local entrepreneurs can be protected against sabotage by public officials and vested interests that live on subsidies, the private sector would boom and absorb a great percentage of job seekers and provide them opportunities to make good careers. Entrepreneurial skills provided in our institutions would be enhanced and made more profitable with instructions and facilities in information communication technology.

Untapped opportunities in agriculture and export business would be massively freed if only rural roads with drainage are constructed. If government would tap the potentials of rural farmer by extending certain infrastructure like power supply to them, the revenue that would accrue to its coffers would dwarf projected income from increase in value added tax.

Government must take urgent steps to improve on dignity of her citizens that those who go abroad would be in the habit of good behavior and be accorded respect not only in South Africa, but wherever they go.