Oluseyi AwojulugbeCases of discrimination and violence against Nigerians living or visiting South Africa are not strange.After reports of attacks on foreign nationals, especially Nigerians, living in South Africa rippled on Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari sent an envoy to the country to register the government’s displeasure.The envoy is expected to arrive in South Africa on Thursday.In 2012, there was a diplomatic row between both countries after some Nigerians were deported.South African authorities had deported 125 Nigerians over claims that they visited the country with fake yellow-fever vaccination cards.In a tit-for-tat move, the Nigerian government led by Goodluck Jonathan deported 84 South Africans in two days.
In his remarks, Olugbenga Ashiru, Nigeria’s foreign minister at the time, said South Africa’s action was a xenophobic move.“African countries including South Africa, should not take Nigeria’s maturity and the friendliness of our people to foreigners for granted,” he said.“And also they should not take the friendly business environment we have in Nigeria where companies, including South African companies are making more profit in South Africa for granted.“South Africans will know we are very serious with this matter and that any deportation of any Nigerian, we will meet it with equal reciprocal measure.“What you see playing out is … xenophobia by South Africans against all Africans, not just Nigerians, including even those from their neighbouring countries.“Their companies here in Nigeria are making more profit than in South Africa. They bring in half-baked graduates and place them above better qualified Nigerians, and we have been overlooking that before now. There are many ways to hit back.”Arik Air, a Nigerian airline, also suspended its flights to South Africa.At the time, it was reported that Nigeria made five requests of South Africa.
They were:unconditional apology to Nigeria over the deportation of 125 Nigerian travellers;compensation for all the victims of the cruelty;disciplinary action against all the officials involved in the incident;a review of the Yellow Fever Vaccination Card policy; anda commitment that such a diplomatic slip will not reoccurSOUTH AFRICA APOLOGISESSix days after the incident, Ibrahim Ibrahim, the South African deputy foreign minister at the time, tendered an apology to Nigeria.“We wish to humbly apologise to them, and we have,” Ibrahim said.“We are apologising because we deported a number of people who should not have been deported,” adding that he does not expect an apology from Nigeria for the tit-for-tat deportations of South African nationals.He described the deportation as “a regrettable incident which the South African government believes could have been handled better”.Blaming airport authorities for the incident, he said deportation would hence require approval from officials at the foreign ministry.SHARE PUBLISHED BYOluseyi AwojulugbeTAGS:Goodluck Jonathan Muhammadu BuhariXenophobia5 MINS AGORELATED POST‘They’ve shown us countless times who they’re’ — Genevieve Nnaji condemns killings in S’AfricaUS Open: Federer’s shock defeat makes Nadal new favourite‘The Delivery Boy’, Boko Haram-inspired film, screens in Germany‘We don’t care, you’re not Beyonce’ – Tiwa Savage sparks reactions for boycotting S’African showNigeria pulls out of World Economic Forum in S’Africa, ‘to recall’ high commissionerRECENT POSTSHot Celebs On the Go‘They’ve shown us countless times who they’re’ — Genevieve Nnaji condemns killings in S’Africa9 mins agoOn the Go SportUS Open: Federer’s shock defeat makes Nadal new favouriteRodger Federer, 20-time Grand Slam winner, was surprisingly dumped out of the ongoing US Open Grand Slam tournament at the…10 mins agoOn the Go OyoPHOTOS: Burnt MTN office in IbadanOn Tuesday evening, an angry mob set ablaze an MTN office in Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo state capital, over…32 mins agoHot Celebs On the Go‘The Delivery Boy’, Boko Haram-inspired film, screens in Germany32 mins agoHot Celebs On the Go‘We don’t care, you’re not Beyonce’ – Tiwa Savage sparks reactions for boycotting S’African show1 hour agoOn the Go The NationXenophobia: FG advises Nigerians against travelling to South AfricaThe federal government has advised Nigerians against travelling to high risk and volatile areas in South Africa until the current…1 hour agoHome About Us Contact UsTerms of Use Privacy PolicyComment PolicyAll Rights Reserved View Non-AMP Version Front Page The Nation Business Policy/« ‘They’ve shown us countless times who they’re’ — Genevieve Nnaji condemns killings in S’Africa