Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has advised Nigeria returnees from South Africa, to prepare for their return to the Ramaphosa led-country if the outcome of the scheduled bilateral commission meeting between Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa is successful, as it will translate to a positive relationship between the two countries, thereby putting an end to the Nigeria-South Afrjca animosity.
Obasanjo made this known while speaking with newsmen at his Abeokuta residence, on the outcome of his visit to President Cyril Ramaphosa in South Africa.
The former Nigerian President urged South Africa’s leaders and its citizens to make compromises and positive statements to reassure Nigeria citizens of their commitment to put behind the past, in order to forge a better future for both countries.
Recall that earlier this month, over 500 Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa due to the xenophobic attacks on African Nationals, mainly targeted at Nigerians. Air Peace took the sole responsibility of transporting these attacked Nigerians back to the country free of charge.
Olusegun Obasanjo said “I took the opportunity of being in South Africa about three or four days ago to actually pay a courtesy call on President Cyril Ramaphosa and he quickly granted me the opportunity . One of the major things we discussed was this issue of xenophobia or ‘afrophobia .’
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“ One good thing I discovered among many is what the president said to me that ‘There is so much at stake and whatever mistake we have made, we have to correct it .’ And I think that was a very good statement and I know that he meant it because , he immediately said ‘Look , what can we do or should we do ?”
“ The idea of thinking or saying that foreigners are taking your jobs should be killed because most of these foreigners paid ( sic ) something into the country .
“ I met more than two Nigerians who are doing legitimate businesses and the turnover runs into millions of dollar and they employed 50 to 60 South Africans.
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“ All these must be expressed and must be shown that Nigerians in South Africa are not drug peddlers and criminals . There are many of them that are genuine businessmen and professionals and who are making meaningful contributions to the economy and the social life of that country .
“ I think that is all we must be doing and be saying and I said my joy is that President Cyril Ramaphosa is ready to do what needs to be done to stop these incidents and to put the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa on the right track. ”