The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the position of the government known on Saturday in a statement by the Head of Media and Public Relation Unit of the commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

“We are glad that justice has been done.

“We had always stated that there has to be consequences for actions. We are glad that this case finally came to an end and South Africa has demonstrated the political will to deal with xenophobia,” she said.

NIDCOM boss implored Nigerians in South Africa to adhere to President Muhammadu  Buhari’s admonition to be the best whereever they might find themselves.

She added that Nigeria and South Africa would continuously work at a United Africa while those who perpetuate crime irrespective of their nationality should face the penalty for their actions.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the Nigerian Mission in Johannesburg for  painstakingly following through with the case and other cases involving Nigerians.

Speaking in the same vein, the Consul General of Nigeria in South Africa, Mr Godwin Adama, said that he was happy that the case came to an end on Friday with judgment pronounced on the guilty police officer.

He recalled how his deputy, Mr. M.J. Sambo, had been at the court with the provincial chairman of NICASA and members of Nigerian Community in Durban, Kwazulu Natal Province.

He disclosed that the second case of 8 policemen being tried for the murder of a Nigerian, Ibrahim Olamilekan Badmus, was adjourned till April 2020 for final ruling due to some technical issues.

He expressed optimism that judgment in other matters were expected to be in favour of Nigeria.

The excited Adama said the judgment of Friday had raised the spirit and morale of Nigerians in South Africa.

It will be recalled that the case started since 2018 when a Nigerian, Ebuka Okoli, was killed by a South Africa police officer and was found guilty of all the four count charges.

There is no death sentence in South Africa’s laws except  life sentence or long sentence for the murder.

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Ufordi was shot dead on Friday around Nigel area of Johannesburg, South Africa, while two other Nigerians with him were injured in the attack.

The Consul General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, Mr Godwin Adama, made this known on Tuesday while confirming the murder.

He however said the government was not in a hurry to conclude that it was a xenophobic attack as he described the crime rate in South Africa as very high.

Reacting to the development on telephone on Tuesday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Adama explained that he was yet to get the full report.

According to him, although the incident is highly condemnable, incidences like that are common in South Africa with one of the highest crime rates in the world.

“Murder statistics in South Africa indicate that over 50 people are violently murdered in a day, about 20,330 in a year.

“We are, however, investigating and equally following up police investigations on the matter to see the motive behind the attack.

“We are however not in a hurry to conclude that it was xenophobic or criminal,” Adama said.

He promised that the Consulate would partner the South African authorities to arrange a meeting with the locals, Nigerians, the police authority, to further adopt ways of preventing any form of xenophobic attacks in the future.

He further appealed to Nigerians resident in that country to operate within the confines of the law and not to engage in activities that would compromise their security.

Mr Ben Okoli, President of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, NICASA, also confirmed the death in a telephone interview with NAN on Tuesday in Abuja.

“We got the information of the attack early the next morning and we swung into action to ascertain the true situation.

“It was alleged that Ufordi was involved in love affair with a local girl.

“He had received warning several times to stop the relationship with the girl by her former local boyfriend.

“Some Nigerian friends had also advised him to stay away and stop the relationship.

“He, however, continued the relationship until his untimely death by assassins; the identities of the killers are yet to be confirmed,” Okoli said.

According to him, the local Police in the area are already investigating the matter as soon as a case of murder and attempted murder was filed.

He said that the association was in touch with the Investigating Police Officer and would follow through with the case to ensure that the culprits were brought to justice.

He, however, advised Nigerians within Nigel community to remain vigilant and watchful of their environment.

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Mr Uche Anichukwu, his media aide, said in a statement that Ekweremadu made the call on Monday at the opening plenary of the IPTP, October session in Addis-Ababa.

Ekweremadu, who chairs the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee of the IPTP said “since we are holding this session in Africa, permit me to mention the issue of xenophobia, a development that worries me.

“There is a growing trend in acts and incidences of intolerance, which is destroying the brotherhood, peace, and mutual relationship among the people of Africa.

“As a special parliament focusing on tolerance and peace, we will not close our eyes to the cases of xenophobia wherever it exists.

“I also appeal to our brothers and sisters in Africa to not only continue to tolerate, but to also respectfully accept one another as one people with a common destiny.”

The former Speaker of the Parliament of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), however, commended the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Ahmed Abiy, for his efforts at promoting tolerance and peace in the East African nation.

He also commended the prime minister for ending Ethiopia’s 20-year hostilities with Eritrea.

“It is instructive that the efforts of this government to engender peace was recently recognised with the bestowal of the Nobel Peace Prize on Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy.

The award is his contribution in driving the deal that ended the nearly 20-year old border hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

“I hope that our presence and work here will help to reinforce Ethiopian Government’s policy of preaching and working for tolerance with its neighbours, which is yielding peace.

“I also hope that the prime minister’s vision of tolerance and peace will transcend the East African region and impact the rest of Africa, he said.

He also expressed satisfaction on the impact and expansion of the IPTP since its inauguration in Malta in July 2018.

Source: NAN

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Speaking against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, she said the Consul General was on top of the situation.

“The Consul General, Godwin Adama, is currently in Widbank, Mpumulanga, where the crisis happened. He is at a meeting with the highest police authorities there.

“The mission intervened immediately and the situation is currently under control. After this meeting, a meeting with Nigerians along with the South African Police will hold,” she assured.

Dabiri-Erewa added that further developments at this stage would be taken up at the ministerial level, between the two ministers of foreign affairs of both countries.

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on October 3 to 5, led a delegation to South Africa on a two-day state visit on the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

Series of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding were signed by the two African states to cement the relationship and nip the hostilities in the bud.

But on Tuesday,  it was reported that South African citizens resumed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in  Mpumalamga area of the country.

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The national spokesperson of the Nigeria Union, South Africa, NUSA, Mr Odefa Ikele, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Witbank, that the attacks started in the early hours of the morning.

Tuesday’s attacks came on the heels of efforts by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure they found amicable and lasting solution to the xenophobia in the latter’s country.

Such peace efforts saw Buhari visiting Ramaphosa and holding a town hall meeting with the Nigerian community.

“Groups made up of community members and taxi drivers went to different areas in Witbank attacking foreign-owned businesses and foreigners.

“Three Nigerians are injured, but no death case for now. Some of our nationals are seeking refuge at Witbank Police Station,’’ he said.

According to NUSA, the affected Nigerians are still taking refuge at the police station at Witbank.

The details of the incident are still sketchy but NUSA also said that Police in the area had intervened and warned people to stay away from the Central Business District in the town.

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The state’s deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, who made the declaration on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, while receiving 30 indigenes of the state who were victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, said that the state would not just give them fish, but teach them how to fish.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the government of Oyo State had expressed its readiness to re-orientate and re-integrate the returnees into the society as well as empower them based on their needs.

The statement reads: “I want to assure you on behalf of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, that you have no reason whatsoever to go back to South Africa or anywhere again.

“We are going to provide for you; we are here for you. The people that you left behind voted for us in your absence and we will tell them that they did not make a mistake.

“We are not going to give you money but we will provide for your needs based on your requests when we get your needs assessment through adequate profiling so as to cater for your needs.

“I welcome you back. You may not like this, I am happy to see you here. It is not that I like what happened to you. One of you said he left with nothing, but I tell you that is not correct. As far as you are alive there is hope and Oyo State is the hope you need because there is a new dawn in Oyo State.

“Because the state is going to create a lot of opportunities in the area of Agribusiness, you have a lot to do. For some of you who are interested in government work, thank God the state has not recruited yet, when the time comes and you have the prerequisite qualifications, you will be considered.”

The state government also enjoined the returnees not to go into crime or lose hope, as the Deputy Governor urged the returnees not to seek a return to any country for the proverbial greener pastures, adding that life would be better for them in the state.

He further said: “I want to urge you all to inform other Nigerians who are still residing in Saudi Arabia and other foreign lands to return home, because there is plan in place to revolutionise agriculture to create economic opportunities for residents and there will be better plans in abundance for the returnees in Oyo State.”

The state government proceeded to make cash provisions of N30,000 each available to the returnees as transport fare to their various destinations within the state, pending the assessments of their needs and further actions from the government.

Speaking on behalf of returnees, Mr. Lawal Bolatito appreciated the efforts of the Oyo State government and further appealed for government to empower them and create job opportunities.

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The visit comes against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by Special Envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.

While in South Africa, the Nigerian leader will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country, with a view to sharing in their experiences and reassuring them of Nigerian government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.

President Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be presented.

At the end of the meeting, both leaders will sign a joint communiqué.

The president and his delegation including Nigerian business representatives will also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.

President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

Others are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); Minister of Power, Eng. Saleh Mamman; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; and Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum.

Also on the trip are: National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Chairman/CEO Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

The President will return to Abuja on Friday.

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The award, the legislative house said, would be in appreciation of the selfless service he rendered to the country by offering to use his airline to evacuate Nigerians stranded in South Africa over xenophobic attacks.

The recommendation followed a motion to that effect by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Namdas (APC-Adamawa), at the plenary session.

The motion was unanimously adopted.

Suggesting that the Air Peace boss should be given a national award, Namdas said he had performed a rare feat by saving Nigerians stranded in South Africa.

He said Onyema’s action was more appreciated in view of the fact that he offered to help even when no member of his relative was among the stranded Nigerians in South Africa.

The Deputy Minority Whip, Nkiruka Onyejeocha (APC-Abia), was also full of praises for Onyema.

She said he had helped to restore the dignity of Nigerians in South Africa.

She said:  “As long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest time will not seize; whatever you sow, you shall reap; those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. You have sown good seed and you shall reap the reward; I join all our leaders to say thank you.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who expressed appreciation for the help Air Peace had rendered other Nigerians should emulate Onyema.

His words:  “First it was 178 persons, then 320; I am aware that another Airbus has gone to bring more Nigerians home. Onyema had done this even at a ‘loss’ and at great personal cost; this is a great feat for commendation. We thank and commend you, we urge all Nigerians to emulate this conduct Onyema has displayed.”

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Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, Mr Godwin Adama, made the confirmation in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

Adama spoke against the background of a complaint by the Managing Director of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema.

Onyema had said that the refusal of South Africa to grant the permit made it impossible for the Air Peace to leave Lagos at 1 a.m. for Johannesburg to convey the second batch of returnees.

But Adama said the permit had been granted the airline and that the flight would be late in the night of Tuesday.

Adama said, “They want Nigerians to arrive during the week, they are taking-off from here midnight.

“I do not know the exact time but they will be leaving (South Africa) midnight.

“I do not know why they were denied the landing permit. I think it is an airline operational issue. They did not get it yesterday but they told me that it came late yesterday (Monday).

“It was weekend and they were going to get it this morning; the airline did not tell me it was deliberate, but they explained to me that they have gotten it.

“Our manifest arrived last night towards the close of work and they were to take-off 1 a.m. Nigerian time yesterday (Monday) but they did not because it was late.

“I have gotten it now so they will be able to make me know the time of their arrival here so that we can know when to take-off.”

Adama said buses provided to convey Nigerians wanting to return home were still at the mission premises and everyone was there.

“We are still really working on the number (320) to see how we can fill up the airline capacity with anyone that is readily available.

“We have more than enough, we are even trying to ensure that the aircraft is filled up that is why we are readily taking people who are on ground now.

“We have more than enough to fill the aircraft, the delay has also helped us because as we call names to board we see some people cleared at the last minute.

“The truth is they are people who have not been cleared, those who are ready to go are all here and we are trying to queue them up.

“We may not even be able to take all of them who are hopeful,” he added.

Adama said that the next batch of evacuation would be based on the Federal Government’s directives.

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The landing permit required by Air Peace for landing was delayed by the South African authority.

The airline has volunteered to carry out the evacuation of  Nigerians willing to return to the country following the recent violence against foreigners in the southern African country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline in collaboration with the Federal Government had on September 11 evacuated the first batch of 187 Nigerians from South Africa.

There was a plan for the airline to evacuate another batch of 320 Nigerians who had indicated interest to return home, with the flight expected to arrive in Lagos at 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday.

However, Mr Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, told newsmen in Lagos that the airline’s B777 aircraft deployed for the operation was still on standby at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to him, the aircraft was supposed to have departed Lagos at 1.00 a.m., but was denied landing permit by the South African authorities.

“We did not take off at 1:00 a.m. as scheduled because South African authorities are yet to give us landing permit.

“We are hopeful that they will give us the permit. Our crew waited till 3:00 a.m., but when the permit did not come, they went back to the hotel.

“Once we get the permit we will set off to South Africa. We don’t want to speculate but we are hopeful they will give the permit,” Onyema said.

The South African authorities had on September 11 also prevented some Nigerians from leaving the country, by insisting on a fresh profiling exercise in spite of the one earlier conducted by the Nigerian High Commission.

The situation led to several hours of delay before 187 of the more than 300 Nigerians were successfully evacuated.

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