File Photo: Nigerian returnees from South Africa
One of the returnees from South Africa (who refused to give his name) has narrated how he roamed the streets of South Africa in search of jobs but was denied employment by the local people who openly showed their dislike for black foreigners.
“I was jobless for six years. I used to hustle on the streets for any job. I had no regular job. I did odd jobs and was able to buy a car but I abandoned it when they wanted to kill us like chicken.
“They burnt shops owned by Nigerians, they burnt vehicles owned by Nigerians. I was afraid they will kill me,” he said as tears welled up his eyes.
He said the criminal tag placed on Nigerians was not true, stressing that the difference between South African blacks and Nigerians is hard work.
“South Africa men don’t hustle, they like to gist and drink but Nigerians work very hard. Our people own shops, have restaurants. Some people even hawk and sell from kiosks but South Africans don’t do such. When they notice that you are making it, they will say you are doing drug. It’s not true.
“Although, some of our people do drugs and involve themselves in other crimes but every country including South African blacks is involved in this. The police know the truth but I don’t know why they cannot protect some of us who have no criminal record,” he said.
Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives, Dr Ajibola Muraina (PDP-Oyo), has urged his colleagues to donate at least N100,000 each for the cabin crew of Air Peace Airline involved in the rescuing stranded Nigerians suffering xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Muraina made the call while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
He commended the house for taking the lead in honouring the Chairman of the Airline, Chief Allen Onyema, who is evacuating stranded Nigerians in South Africa free of charge.
The legislator said that the pilots and cabin crew refused to collect their due allowances, offering it as their contribution to nation-building.
Muraina said that the actions of Onyema and his staff should reawaken the milk of kindness Nigerians are known for all over the world.
“The National Assembly has taken the lead in appreciating the return of the spirit of selflessness, being our brothers’ keepers and exhibiting milk of kindness.
“I humbly suggest that the National Assembly should demonstrate a further lead by example.
“I suggest most humbly that my noble colleagues from the National Assembly should consider making token donations from their salaries, whatever amount they deem it starting from N100,000 each upwards, for the cabin crew of Air peace.
“They have worked and continue to work without taking any allowance, the Nigerians that have been evacuated back to Nigeria and those that may still further be evacuated.
“This token may be useful for the evacuated Nigerians in whatever form, the cabin crew would also have been appreciated somehow.
“This may signpost a new beginning of Nigerians demonstrating milk of kindness towards each other,” he said.
The lawmaker said that the conduct of Onyema should be seen as a clarion call on all Nigerians of financial and other capacities all over the world to be selfless and be willing and ready at all times to assist fellow countrymen.
