In a release on the Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and
its resultant effects in Nigeria, the revered Bishop stated “As a church, we
are saddened by the inhumane treatment of Nigerians and other nationals in
South Africa and utterly condemn xenophobia in all its appearances, whether
tacitly or full blown,” he stated.
Olumakaiye also advised the government of South Africa when he said “We
also want to advise the Government of South Africa not to sweep this issue
under the rug, considering we are all human, created in God’s Image. It should
be recalled that Nigeria as a Nation, through her Government and beautiful
people, were very accommodating to the South African Nation during the ugly
episode of apartheid, and so do not deserve to be paid back with this inhumane
treatment of Nigerian citizens in South Africa.”
He also encouraged the Nigerian Government to put necessary machinery in
place to end xenophobia scourge. In his word “We want to encourage the Nigerian
government to explore every diplomatic avenue to put an end to this dark
episode, threatening to rip the fabric of friendship between these two top
African nations. The Nigerian Government should not, however, go into
negotiations without demanding lasting solution. Everything necessary should be
done to bring to justice those who partook in the attacks and adequate
compensation should be sort for the victims and their families.”
Olumakaiye said that it is also important to note that the response of
some Nigerian youths to the news of the xenophobic attacks in Nigeria, is an
indication of an impending catastrophe, if not immediately addressed.
He further stated that the manner and style of reprisal in Nigeria is a
sign that there is poverty in the land and called on government in Nigeria to
end poverty.
“While under no guise would we consider the actions of these youths
acceptable, we see it as a symptom to what we have been talking about for a
while now, there is immense poverty in the land. The result to looting and
vandalism was not borne out of accurate information but a case of 'an idle hand
is the devil’s workshop’.
“This cannot be allowed to continue, and the only productive way to
address it, is to engage the younger Nigerians meaningfully. We advise the
Government at all levels to sit right and address the hunger in the land. The
Youths are bottled up and if care is not taken, they can upturn the future of
this great nation.
“We advice those at the helm of affairs of our nation not to play
politics with these grave issues but rise to the challenge, seeing this as a
clarion call to make a Nation that we will all be proud to hand over to the
coming generation,” Olumakaiye stated.
No comments:
Post a Comment