The CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has lambasted China, saying that the Chinese do not want Africans in their country even though there are many illegal Chinese in Nigeria who are not being targeted by the government.
The former lawmaker said this during a town hall meeting with Nigerians in the United States held via Zoom where she also called on the Chinese government to respect the rights of Nigerians living in China.
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During the town hall meeting, Abike also answered questions relating to business, health and politics affecting Nigerians in Diaspora.
While answering a question on what the Nigerian government was doing about the maltreatment and discrimination against Nigerians in China, Abike Dabiri said the Chinese issue has been reoccurring for far too long.
She added that she had personally been to the Chinese embassy on several occasions to protest the treatment of Nigerians in the Asian country.
“The issue of China has been recurring and I have been to the Chinese Embassy a couple of times, putting into consideration what has been happening to Nigerians in China.
“I will be very realistic with the issue of Africans in China…what I am seeing is that they don’t want Africans in China. Some businessmen are stranded there but when you want to your home, they don’t allow you. In China, if you don’t have a residence, you can’t get a permit.”
She encouraged Nigerians there to do their best to stay out of trouble and obey Chinese laws because things are still tough for Africans in the country.
“It is still tough for Nigerians in China. It (maltreatment) is still going on and it has to be dealt with. Right now, there is a little bit of sanity but we don’t know how long it will last but there has to be a permanent solution to the issue of blacks being maltreated in China.
“We need to build a world of peace and love. There has to be reciprocity: Respect me and I respect you, treat me well and I treat you well. They should demand their right and obey their laws too but the laws should not be discriminatory.”