Lagos Assembly Condemns Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians

Debo Omilani
Lagos  State House  of Assembly on Thursday condemned in strong terms the xenophobic attacks by South Africans on Nigerians living in their country.
The condemnation is sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Tunde Braimoh under Matters of Urgent Public Importance.
Hon Braimoh had drawn the attention of other lawmakers to recent brutal attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa, where many lives were lost and several Nigerians brutally assaulted and killed.
He recalled that the Nigerian Government and her Citizens aided in the eradication of apartheid in South Africa, condemning the barbaric attacks on Nigeria and the ineptitude of South African Government in curbing the attacks and finding a lasting solution.
He therefore solicited the support of his colleagues to the need for drastic and urgent step to be taken by the Federal Government towards remediating the unfortunate incident immediately, while the victims should be adequately compensated by the South African government.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu while contributing stated that the attacks also extended to professionals such as doctors, lawyers who faced discrimination in their places of work, adding that Nigerians must not stoop to their barbaric level of attacks and Federal Government of Nigeria must display a force of strength in safeguarding Nigerians.
Also speaking, Hon. Bisi Yusuff quoted Nelson Mandela who said “Nigeria is Africa and Africa is Nigeria”, also reprimanding South African Government that they seemed to have forgotten when Nigeria came to their aid during the apartheid in South Africa.
​Hon. Olumoh similarly condemned the action of the South Africans but caution Nigerians over retaliation which may result to the destruction of the country’s business interest in Nigeria.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in his submission, berated the ​ South African Government action in which consequently encouraged the attacks of Nigerian Citizens in South Africa. He however implored the Federal Government of Nigeria to act more for the aid of Nigerians.
Hon. Obasa subsequently added that Nigerians are travelers and the Federal Government needs to work on protecting Nigerians while African Union, AU and United Nations, UN must intervene to stop the violence on Nigerians living ​ in South Africa. He also chides Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on the use of force to curb outrageous Nigerians.
He therefore directed the Clerk of the House to write to notify the necessary government establishment mission on the concern raised by the Assembly over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa.

This post was written by Debo Omilani.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

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