The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerians

  • South Africa deports 97 Nigerians

    South Africa deports 97 Nigerians

    The South African Government has deported 97 Nigerians for committing various offences in the country.

    The deportees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday night in a chartered aircraft with the registration number GBB710 from Johannesburg.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they were made up of 95 males and two females.

    DSP Joseph Alabi, the Spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command, confirmed the development to NAN.

    An immigration source told NAN on condition of anonymity that six of the deportees were returned to the country for drug offences while 10 were arrested and deported for other criminal offences .

    The others were said to have committed immigration offences in the Southern African country.

    All the deportees were profiled by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) while those deported for drug related offences were handed over to the Police for further investigation.

    NAN reports that the Federal Government had also on Monday evacuated 41 Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Mali for sex and labour exploitation.

    Six of the suspected human traffickers were also apprehended and brought back to the country for prosecution. (NAN)

  • South Africa attacks on Nigerians, others continue

    South Africa attacks on Nigerians, others continue

    The attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa have continued.
    The Nigerian community in South Africa said yesterday that another shop belonging to a Nigerian was looted in the latest xenophobic attack at Jeppestown,Johannesburg.
    The South African Police said no fewer than 100 people ransacked shops in Johannesburg overnight, in the latest wave of looting incidents in South African cities.
    “We are following up on leads and we are expecting to make more arrests,” police spokesman Brig. Mathapelo Peters said.
    She said she did not know the nationalities of the shopkeepers and police were waiting for owners to come forward, so that they could open cases of violence and damage to property.
    Similar incidents have taken place in Pretoria this month, but police have been reluctant to characterised the attacks as being directed against foreigners.
    Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically in South Africa against a background of near-record unemployment, with foreigners being accused of criminal activity and taking jobs from locals.
    President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria that the shop was looted on Sunday night.
    “We have received information that there was an overnight attack on shops belonging to foreigners at Jeppestown, a business district in Johannesburg.
    “A shop belonging to a Nigerian was affected.
    “The goods in the shop were looted by the attackers. The Nigerian was not hurt during the attack.
    “We also learnt that shops belonging to other foreigners were also looted,” he said.
    Anyene said attempts made to loot another shop belonging to a Nigerian failed as the owner called the police.
    He said the value of items lost in the affected shop had not been ascertained  while   the incident had  been reported to the Nigerian Mission and the South African  police.
    “We have told Nigerians to adopt protective measures to save their businesses and homes.
    “The union is in touch with the Nigerian Mission and our chapters in the nine provinces of South Africa are also on alert.
    “They have been directed to sensitise our people on the situation in the country and  to  be  cautious in all their endeavours,” he said
    Also, a Reuters witness said doors and windows were smashed in, and food and other items were strewn on the floor in stores believed to belong to immigrants in Jeppestown, an area in the central business district.
    “We’ve been stuck inside here until the police came,” Abdul Ebrahim, a Somali shop owner, said after emerging from his store, where a number of his colleagues had barricaded themselves.
    “No one told us what they were looking for,” he added when asked why the mob had attacked his shop.
    At least one person was arrested.
    The Federal Government last week urged the South African government to put in place measures to end the incessant xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
    In a statement yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and The Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, slammed South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Mr. Malusi Gigaba’s statement in the aftermath of the xenophobic attacks, which has brought reprisal on MTN, a South African business conglomerate that “such issues were better discussed at the diplomatic levels” when more than 100 Nigerian lives have been lost in South Africa.
    The statement said: “It appears that Mr. Gigaba would rather dwell on and entertain himself with diplomatic niceties when the welfare of Nigerians resident in South Africa are at stake now more than any time in recent history. His response to the xenophobic attacks, which has now become a recurring decimal on Africans, most especially Nigerians living peacefully in their host country of South Africa is indeed unfortunate.
    “While it’s no longer news that law-abiding Nigerians in that country have borne the major brunt of these attacks, the news by the Home Affairs Minister that his country is trying to get rid of criminals in his country at the time when indiscriminate mayhem and looting of law-abiding Nigerians is very suspicious, to say the least. Even if this unguarded statement must be taken in its face value, we wonder if wanton destruction and indiscriminate killing of their African brothers is the most sensible excuse to give. The minister should have been more guarded and introspective in his statements so as not to further fan the embers of xenophobia that may get out of control if care is not taken.
    “Xenophobia is such a debilitating social disease, based mostly on ignorance, in which its carrier also suffers. I therefore suggest that the home affairs minister should engage in the mass education of the South African people about the debilitating effects of this disease with immediate effect.
    “The days that the Nigerian government will fold its arms while its citizens are maltreated to the point that some of them have lost their lives for no just cause are long gone.”

    Labour to Fed Govt: recall Nigeria’s envoy

    THE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) yesterday asked the Federal Government to recall Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa in protest over the continued killing of Nigerians.
    A statement by TUC President Bobboi Kaigama and General Secretary Musa-Lawal Ozigi, urged the government to “immediately begin a process of evacuating Nigerians resident” in that country following the silence of the South African government over the matter.
    It said there was a grand conspiracy by the South African government and state security apparatus to mindlessly waste lives and take over properties of innocent and harmless fellow Africans.
    The statement reads: “The TUC expresses serious concern over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa and calls for the immediate recall of the country’s high commissioner to the country.
    “From all indications, it appears there is a grand conspiracy by the government cum state security apparatus to continue to mindlessly waste lives and take over properties of innocent and harmless fellow Africans.
    “First and foremost, their anger is misplaced and probably borne out of the inferiority complex suffered from years of oppression and apartheid. As a credible organisation, we condemn crimes in all its forms and support punishment for those found culpable.
    “But in this case, no one has mentioned any case of crime; it is rather a case of a country, whose freedom we staked our lives, financed and spent other resources to fight for and today we get xenophobia as returns.
    “How do we refer to this anti-Nigeria, nay Africa attitude on Nigeria? One wonders what these South Africans are turning to. Is it a case of ingratitude or lack of historical documentation by their leaders, of the unmatched leadership role Nigeria played in the 80s towards the dismantling of apartheid?
    “It is on record that thousands of South African children were brought to Nigeria and distributed across all the unity schools in Nigeria and were fed and housed free, courtesy of Nigerian government and Nigerians.”

  • Nigerians in South Africa

    Nigerians in South Africa

    •Time for the Federal Government to warn against further attacks

    THE collapse of apartheid rule and the historic institution of popular democratic governance in South Africa in 1994 no doubt created fresh opportunities, particularly for immigrants from African countries, to partake of the economic benefits offered by a richly endowed country from which they were previously barred under the racially discriminatory ancient regime. Nearly two and a half decades after that momentous milestone, however, sustained acts of xenophobic violence, mostly targeted at African immigrants, have continued to blight the once widely admired image of post-racist South Africa as symbolising a model, harmonious multi-racial ‘rainbow coalition’.
    Apparently frustrated by the failure of the post-apartheid dispensation to meet their high economic expectations, especially in terms of poverty alleviation, job creation and significantly reduced inequality; black South Africans have taken to venting their spleen on immigrants whom they hold responsible for their plight. Their antagonism is motivated by the belief that these immigrants are taking opportunities for access to jobs, housing, commodities and entrepreneurship which ought rightly to accrue to them as citizens.
    It is certainly true that some categories of immigrants like Nigerians, for instance, given their acknowledged natural drive, high confidence and long entrepreneurial experience are well placed to compete effectively within the framework of a free market.
    This perhaps explains but offers no justification for why Nigerians in South Africa have borne a more than proportionate brunt of the xenophobic onslaught against foreigners in that country. The Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave an insight to the precarious situation of Nigerians resident in the country when she said: “We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years and in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed. This is unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria”. Apart from meeting with the South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, to protest the killings, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa, also called for the intervention of the African Union (AU) to prevent future recurrences.
    While Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa’s exertions are not out of place and indeed commendable, we find the silence and inaction of the Federal Ministry of External Affairs on the matter inexplicable. Surely, this issue is serious enough for influential voice of the foreign minister, Mr. Geofrey Onyeama, or at least the Minister of State, to be heard. This is more so that the President of the Nigerian Union, South Africa, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyere, has said that members of the Nigerian community continue to receive threatening calls against their homes and businesses, including demands for money to avert such attacks.
    The South African government must be told by the Federal Government that future attacks against our citizens will attract consequences. Such proactive and firm action by the government will render unattractive and unnecessary the ill-advised calls in some quarters for reprisal attacks against South African businesses in Nigeria. The assurance by the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria that his government is investigating the killings of Nigerians is insufficient, especially when none of the perpetrators of this crime has reportedly ever been brought to book.
    We are of course not unaware of allegations that some Nigerians in South Africa are complicit in crimes against the laws of their host country; such infractions should definitely not be condoned, if true. But the solution to that can surely not be mob actions against innocent citizens without recourse to the due process of law. A situation should not be encouraged in which Nigerians are collectively stereotyped, demonised and subjected to extrajudicial punishment. That would be as immoral and unjustified as the erstwhile apartheid system that Nigeria incidentally sacrificed so much to help bring to an end.

  • Muslim women condemn attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

    Muslim women yesterday expressed displeasure over the attacks on some Nigerians in South Africa.

    They spoke at a programme, Sisters’ Dawah Conference, organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit at Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

    Participants at the conference, which was attended by about 10 Islamic organisations, lamented the rate of intolerance around the globe.

    The society’s women President, Hajia Hafsah Badru, said it was wrong for South Africa citizens to consider Nigerian as threats to their survival.

    She said: “South Africans should not forget in a hurry the role of Nigerians during the struggle to end apartheid. The same Nigerians they were attacking and looting their shops were at the forefront for their freedom. The attacks on Nigerians are signs of callousness, barbarism and ingratitude on the parts of the South Africans. Their aggression should be directed to their government and not foreign nationals. Every country is facing one economic challenge or another that does not call for attacks on foreigners living in that country.

    “It is wrong to subject foreign nationals to such attacks because of economic crisis in your country, not even those that are contributing to the development of your country.”

    To Lagos State Chapter leader of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Dr Sariyu Ashiru, South African leaders should curb the attacks and foster unity among their citizens and foreigners.

    “Togetherness aids unity and the achievement of a common goal. We really need to seek God’s intervention concerning the numerous vices witnessed in different parts of the world,” she said.

    Ansar-ud-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN) president Fatimo Salam, faulted South Africans for being intolerant.

    “It all boils down to being tolerant and having a strong mindset for peace. People around the world must learn to leave together in peace and harmony,” she said.

    The guest speaker, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, who is the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Zakat and Waqf Fund, said: “This is not the first time that we are experiencing such an attack in South Africa. The government and media need to make a decisive step because if care is not taken, Nigerians may attack South Africans’ interests in Nigeria.

    “Government of South Africa need to show the public that it is on top of the situation. The media must also stop inciting reports against Nigerians, especially those that are legal migrants,” he said.

  • APC seeks end to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians

    APC seeks end to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians

    •Party advises govt to demand compensation

    The All Progressives Congress, South Africa Chapter (APC-SA), has condemned alleged xenophobic attack on Nigerians in Pretoria West.

    It urged the Federal Government to demand an apology from South African authorities and seek compensation for victims. In a February 19 letter to the Secretary General of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the party said the attacks were predicated on the notion that Nigerians and certain other nationals were criminals, drug dealers, human traffickers and prostitution barons, and had denied South Africans opportunities in their country.

    The letter, signed by Chairman Bola Babarinde, and Secretary Prof. Oludayo Fasina, said: “While we believe South Africans have the right to protect their society, the APC-SA condemns taking such decision on wrong premises and fallacies perpetuated by lack of information.

    “We believe in the rule of law and expect that criminal elements observed and picked from the society be handed over to the law enforcement agents, who have been mandated to ensure that justice is carried out without fair or favour.

    “Jungle justice, as perpetuated by some criminal elements within South Africa in the case above, is prone to abuse, vendetta, settling of scores and miscarriage of justice and will surely draw any country into more violence.”

    According to APC-SA, not all Nigerians are criminals, and the South African universities, hospitals, workplaces and government offices were replete with good Nigerians doing honest work.

    It said the myopia of labeling all people of a country by such label of criminality showed how uninformed a society is and should be condemned by all well-meaning South Africans.

    APC-SA urged the Federal Government to demand an apology from the South African authority and find a way to document and get adequate compensations for victims.

  • 43 Nigerians deported from Europe

    No fewer than 43 Nigerians were on Thursday deported from Italy, Germany and Belgium, for committing various offences.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMlA), Lagos at about 8.40 p.m.

    The deportees, who are all male, were brought back with a chartered Hifly aircraft with registration number CS-TQW, amidst tight security.

    Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the development to NAN.

    He said 33 of the deportees were from Italy, while the other seven and another three were deported from Germany and Italy, respectively.

    Sidi, represented by by Dr Onimode Bandele, the Deputy Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA, said NEMA and other sister agencies were at the airport to receive the deportees.

    “They were deported for committing various offences in their host countries and as you can see, our agencies are here to do the needful.

    “As a responsible government, we cannot just leave our citizens to enter the country without giving them a good welcome and assisting them to get back to their families,” he said.

    Sidi advised Nigerians to stay in the country and develop it together.

    He said some stipends would be given to the deportees to facilitate their transportation to their various destinations.

    NAN reports that other agencies who were at the airport to receive the deportees included officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Immigration Service. (NAN)

  • 171 more Nigerians return from Libya with tales of woes

    171 more Nigerians return from Libya with tales of woes

    No fewer than 171  Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya on Tuesday aboard a chartered Nouvelair aircraft with with tales of woes.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the aircraft landed about 4.18pm at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    NAN reports that another batch comprising  161 Nigerians, had earlier on Feb. 14 also voluntarily returned from the North African country where they had been stranded enroute Europe.

    The new set of returnees were brought back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian Embassy in Libya.

    They were received at the Hajj Camp area of the airport by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) , the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.

    Also on ground to receive them were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    Air Commodore Salisu Mohammed, Director,  Search and Rescue, NEMA, who gave a breakdown of the returnees, said they were made up of of 49 males, 109 females, seven children and six infants.

    Addressing newsmen, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the IOM for facilitating the return of the Nigerians.

    She said : “Like I told them, they are not criminals.These are people that have gone in search for greener pastures. However, it turned out to be a terrible experience for them.

    “They shouldn’t be ashamed of themselves. Now they are back home and Mr President has personally conveyed his greetings to them and to let them know that they are back in Nigeria and there is no better time than now.

    “Times are tough, things are difficult but your country is the best place to be. ”

    According to her, the Federal Government, IOM and some states have put up programmes in place to rehabilitate Nigerians who volunteered to return from Libya in order to reintegrate them into the society.

    “The question is, how long are we going to keep evacuating them? So there is going to be another evacuation and a final one when we will tell Nigerians who are stranded in Libya to come back home.

    “After that it will be difficult getting IOM to do the evacuation.

    “A lot of them don’t know where they are going to. There is a lot of ignorance here. Some of them are trafficked and they get there with nothing.

    “The message here is that illegal migration is not worth it because as tough as the country is today, you are better off here than being in those places,” Dabiri-Erewa said .

    She reiterated the government’s committment to the welfare of Nigerians all over the world, stressing that it was currently addressing the issue of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

    The senior special assistant described the attacks as shameful, noting that it was wrong to generalise Nigerians in the country as criminals.

    One of the returnees, Miss Gift Peters said she got to Libya 11 months ago after being deceived that she was being taken to Germany.

    “When I got to Libya, it was not in my mind to continue with the journey. So I asked the person that took me to return me to Nigeria but he started maltreating me and sold me to someone who has a connection house in Libya where we were maltreated daily.

    “If we don’t want to work, they will start maltreating us. They will do you something that you will wish to die.

    “Those who they sold us to, sometimes, use iron and start burning us. At times, they will instruct our fellow ladies to urinate for us to drink,” the Delta State indigene said amidst tears.

    According to her, she managed to eventually contact her family in Nigeria and was fortunate to make it back alive unlike many of her peers who joined her on the ill-fated journey. (NAN)

  • Test results: Buhari needs more time to rest in London – Presidency

    Test results: Buhari needs more time to rest in London – Presidency

    …Says no cause for worry

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday thanked millions of Nigerians who have been sending good wishes and praying for his health and well-being in mosques and churches throughout the country.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said that he was immensely grateful for the prayers, show of love and concern.

    He also reassured Nigerians that there is no cause for worry.

    The statement reads “During his normal annual checkup, tests showed he needed a longer period of rest, necessitating the President staying longer than originally planned.”

    The President had embarked on the medical vacation in the United Kingdom since 19th of January 2017.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on Tuesday, Adesina said that the test results are responsible for Buhari’s long stay in the UK.

    He said “The President wants Nigerians to know that he appreciates their prayers, he appreciates their concerns and their goodwill. He has added that there is really no cause to worry.

    “He is the one who owns the body and there is nobody who will know his body more than him and he says no cause to worry.

    “It makes sense to say that maybe from the results of the tests, further rests had been recommended. The statement did not say how long the rest will last.

    “I speak for somebody, I do not speak for myself. So it is what he tells me to say that I say and the statement transmitted to me is that the President needs to rest for some further time.” he said

    On the possibility that he will speak directly to Nigerians, he said: “What he has just done is to speak to Nigerians.”

    Asked to speak on the President’s sickness, he said “Don’t you know that the Hippocratic Oath even forbids a doctor from speaking about the condition of his patient except the patient authorises it? It is only the patient himself who can speak about what he is going through.

    “This is the person going through these series of tests and rest and he says no cause to worry, let us believe that.”

    On why journalists trying to reach the President in UK were been harassed, he said “I do not consider that an harassment. Presidents are not hijacked and interviewed. Those things are scheduled. So I do not consider that as harassment.

    Also speaking on the reports that Buhari may remain in UK for months, he said: “What we have just said is what I will want us to believe. The President said he needs to rest further. The same President that communicated that to us, when it is time for him to come, he will also communicate to us.

    On the claim that the President has lost his voice, he said that those making the claim needs to prove it.

    “Those people need to prove it. He spoke with President Trump. Did Trump say he did not speak with Nigerian President. Anybody can allege anything.

    “My message to Nigerians is that let us learn to believe our leaders. This is a man we elected into office and he says no cause to worry, let us believe him,” he added.

     

  • Presidency to South Africa: end attacks on Nigerians

    Presidency to South Africa: end attacks on Nigerians

    The Presidency yesterday condemned the killing of Nigerians in xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
    “We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years and in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed. This is unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria,” the Presidency said in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
    The Nigerian community has continued to live in fear. Some of its members were yesterday receiving calls threatening more attacks against their homes and businesses.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some South Africans launched xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in Pretoria West at the weekend.
    No fewer than five homes and businesses belonging to Nigerians were burnt by a mob.
    Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, told NAN on telephone from Pretoria, that some Nigerians received calls asking for payment to protect their homes and businesses.
    “ Some Nigerians and other foreign nationals in Pretoria West now live in fear. Some have started packing their belongings for fear of more attacks.
    “ They confirmed to the union that some South Africans were calling and   threatening to unleash more mayhem against them.
    “The callers asked for money to be spared the attacks.
    “ The union is worried about the development because the South African police are  yet to arrest those who perpetrated last Saturday`s attacks,” he said.
    According to Anyene, the union has pleaded with Nigerians to take precautionary measures and remain law abiding.
    “ We also urge the Federal Government to persuade its South African counterpart to  put in place measures to guarantee the safety of Nigerians,” he said.
    The Presidency urged restraint and called on Nigerians to be extra cautious.
    The statement called on the South African government to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerian citizens and other Africans within South African borders.
    Anyene added: “As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian business, including a church, have been looted and burned by South Africans.”
    Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said that the African Union (AU) was being called upon to intervene because there was credible information that more xenophobic attacks on foreigners will take place on February 22 and 23.
    Two weeks ago, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa met with South African High Commissioner in Nigeria Mr. Lulu Aaron-Mnguni, on the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
    Mr. Mnguni said the government was investigating the matter.
    The Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on the Diaspora also yesterday condemned the attacks.
    The committees asked the Federal Government to take a harder stance against attacks on Nigerians in other countries.
    The condemnation was informed by alleged killing of many Nigerians, including Tochukwu Nnadi, a 34-year-old businessman by South African police on December 29, 2016.
    Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Diaspora Senator Rose Oko said her committee wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to furnish it with details of the killing.
    She said: “We have written to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avail us with what happened in South Africa between the police and the man.
    “We condemn in very strong term these attacks on Nigerians. There are extra-judicial killings in South Africa and there are Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
    “You aware that in 2016 alone, about 20 Nigerians were killed in extra-judicial manner. Before this time, several others have been killed in extra-judicial manner. There are several incident of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
    “You are also aware that Nigeria/ South Africa have excellent diplomatic ties. In 2013, when there were xenophobic attacks, our former President signed Memorandum of Understanding to re-enforce diplomatic ties.”
    The Cross River North lawmaker said killing of Nigerians in South Africa is against all known laws across the globe.
    She noted that even the constitution of South Africa guaranteed human rights and fair hearing.
    Senator Oko recalled the contributions of Nigeria towards the liberation struggle in South Africa.
    The House Committee on Diaspora did not spare the Federal Government, criticising it for doing nothing to stem the attacks.
    Speaking with reporters at the National Assembly Chairperson Rita Orji  said she was not going to be part of the “conspiracy of silence”.
    According to her, Nigerians in the Diaspora are only dear to the government because of the funds they remit home.
    She accused the government of over-protecting the businesses and interests of South Africa to the detriment of Nigeria.
    The government, she said, “is not taking a critical look at what Nigerians in Diaspora face in the countries in which they are”.
    She urged the Foreign Affairs Ministry to call for a full briefing from the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa “on how many Nigerians were killed and how many houses were burnt and property looted.
    “The South African Government should bear in mind that Nigerians know that they have interests, they have  businesses here and they have South Africans here. They should not put their people in jeopardy.”
    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim told the committee that though it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians abroad, funds were not made available to the ministry until the 2017 budget proposals.
    The minister said: “It is estimated that there are up to 15 million Nigerians abroad. It is, therefore, a herculean task for the ministry to provide protection and welfare assistance when no provision was made for that purpose in the missions’ budget.
    “Other countries make financial provision for repatriation of remains, lost income and loss of passport, funeral expenses, medical bills, among others, which our missions can’t, due to the paucity of funds. Yet, Nigerians expect, unrealistically, missions to offer these services.”
    According to her, it is only in the 2017 budget that the sum of N400,000,000.00 ($1.3 million) was appropriated.”

  • More Nigerians to return from Libya, says NEMA

    More Nigerians to return from Libya, says NEMA

    A fresh batch of Nigerians is being expected to arrive in the country today from Libya.
    This is coming barely one week after 161 Nigerians voluntarily returned to the country.
    Spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-West Zone  Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye  confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.
    Farinloye said the returnees would arrive at the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO)/Hajj Camp Section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos about 3:00p.m.
    One hundred and sixty-one Nigerians, on February 14, voluntarily returned from Libya aboard a chartered Nouvelair aircraft with registration number TS-1NB.
    The aircraft had landed at 3.55p.m. at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
    The returnees, comprising 40 men, 103 women, nine children and nine infants, were brought back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian Embassy in Libya.
    They were received by officers of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.
    Also on ground to receive them were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).