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Beyond That Apology …Nigeria Must Earn S’Africa’s Respect
The looming clouds, of not just a probable, but possible diplomatic show-down between Nigeria and South Africa, two countries that now pride themselves as ‘giants of Africa’, saw a glimmer of light, Thursday, last week. The Abuja government received and hurriedly accepted an ‘unreserved’ apology from Pretoria for deporting 125 Nigerians, who, according to South African Immigration sources had carried fake Yellow Fever Free Certification Cards into the once apartheid enclave.
Nigeria, for once, felt insulted and so vexed, deported 56 South Africans after turning back 28 others, for not carrying relevant travel documents, in apparent reprisal. And to further demonstrate her seriousness, that not again will she look the other way and sit idly by, while countries treated her citizens like orphaned lepers, Nigeria threatened to open large scale probe into the unwholesome activities of some South African companies operating in the country.
Such South African firms, according to Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru were in the habit of flouting expatriate quota rules and had, for years, been fleeing foreign currency allocations on quacks, a compliant never heard of prior to the deportation saga.
However, South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ibrahim Ibrahim was quoted by AFP as telling newsmen in Pretoria, ‘We apologized for this unfortunate incident and we hope that this matter will not in any way affect our bilateral relations’. The Pretoria government also sent a letter of apology, thus fore-stalling what the Abuja government had threatened, would be a new diplomatic relation, grounded in tit-for-tat.
Although it’s not clear which of the two ‘giants of Africa’ would hurt the more in the event of face-off in such areas as manpower development, health services provision, creative investment, communication, entertainment, infrastructural development, power supply and global respect, South Africa has apologized apparently to protect her country’s investments in the Nigerian economy and not lose Nigerians’ there.
It is however unfortunate that Nigerian authorities failed to observe the negative rivalry and posturing of South Africa until the deportation saga. In fact, Pretoria has for sometime now, demonstrated in both words and deeds that the time Nigeria prided herself as giant of Africa should be gone for good and that there’s indeed a new kid on the block.
For instance, at the peak of the Libyan crisis, when it was clear that unless slain Libyan strongman, Muammar Ghadaffi laid-down his arms, there would be more bloodshed; and to reduce such huge human casualties, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had along with those of the USA, France, UK and the international community, voiced the call for Ghadaffi’s surrender.
In what seemed the boldest affront yet, the South African government berated President Jonathan as being un-African and implied that Nigeria was playing a Western stooge. That mindset was replicated in the gang up against President Jonathan’s attempt to lead the African Union (AU) in the elections last year.
Since then, the South African government has never hidden its resolve to remind Nigeria, at the slightest provocation, that there is no longer a single tree, too big and high in the African forest, that cannot be challenged.
Such clash of egos, rivalry, suspicion and diplomatic recklessness between Nigeria, a major benefactor of South Africa during that country’s travails under the heavy boots of white minority rule, would have been unthinkable. But that’s the harsh reality that has coloured relations between both countries.
Priding herself as ‘Giant of Africa,’ Nigeria committed huge human and economic resources towards liberating South Africa from the apartheid regime. Through regular funding of the African National Congress (ANC), and posturing a strong global lobby, Nigeria led the continent to actualize independence for the country, and also contributed immensely towards erecting lasting democratic and constitutional institutions that today make South Africa a tourist and business destination for many privileged Nigerians.
Today, many well-placed Nigerians, particularly politicians in and out of government own properties in South Africa while, the Nigerian elite, rather than help revive their country’s once enviable public school system now choose to send their children to schools in South Africa and Ghana.
In the area of heathcare, Nigerians now consider specialist hospitals in South Africa as apt for medical tourism, and referral destination and that way, spend unimaginable resources in the development of that country’s health institutions, through their huge patronages. What of tourism, communication and entertainment? The list is endless.
Truth is, with all the crime and violence daily reported in South Africa, wealthy Nigerians still prefer investing in South Africa than do so in their fatherland, apparently because of the inability of successive Nigerian governments to get it right in maintaining and developing necessary infrastructure required for investments in manufacturing and construction.
More than 51 years after, Nigeria is still battling to provide her citizens uninterrupted power supply, potable drinking water, world-class referral centres for critical ailments requiring expert medical attention, while a section of the country is still playing politics with the danger which terrorism now poses to what is left of our civilization.
With a population of more than 150 million citizens, vast arable land, abundant mineral resources and trained manpower that can compete among the best in the world, Nigerians prefer other countries not theirs, Nigerians remain very poor, so poor it is said that more than 70 per cent of the population live on less than one dollar per day. How can such a country earn the respect of other nation-states.
Conversely, South Africa has indeed done a lot for herself in areas of public administration, fight against corruption, political stability, tourism development, infrastructural development, communication, sports, education, health and resource management.
These are why South Africa can toy with Nigeria’s national pride by humiliating her nationals at will. Otherwise, what is about yellow card? Why do Nigerians require Yellow Fever Free Certification Cards to enter South Africa?
Interestingly, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the world most authoritative health monitoring global body has since certified Nigeria as yellow fever free. In fact, the last case of yellow fever in the country was recorded 13 years ago, and has remained free ever after.
But in furtherance of its agenda to prove that Nigeria can no longer pride herself as ‘giant of Africa’ that Nigerians need South Africa more than her citizens do Nigeria and lastly that present day economic realities favour South Africa, the Pretoria government relied on the flimsy excuse of fake yellow cards, to deport a staggering 125 Nigerians.
Unfortunately, even sworn-enemy nations would think twice before embarking on such diplomatic voyage of high provocation. But for a nation with whom Nigeria supposedly enjoys warm diplomatic relations, it is the height of insensitivity.
‘Gratitude’, according to a popular African proverb, “is the least of virtues, and ingratitude, the worst of vices”. This is why the South African display of not just ingratitude but diplomatic recklessness must be condemned and checked, apology or not.
For far too long, Nigerians have at various times been subjected to all manner of ill-treatment in other lands. The South African example should serve as a wake-up call to the Abuja government and provoke an urgent review of her diplomatic relations with ungrateful nation-states.
Why for instance, should Nigerian authorities over-look an offence as grave as flouting expatriate quota rules, at a time qualified Nigerians are roaming about in search of paying job? How much of such foreign currency needs had been fleeced out of the country? What steps have now been placed to check reoccurrence?
Yes, South African authorities might have apologized, and the apology already accepted but what has been done to those South Africa officials responsible for threatening both countries’ relations. Business as usual? Or simply content? South Africa has said “we are sorry”.
Nigeria should look beyond the present, the provocation, apology, and acceptance. Abuja should be proactive in dealings with others. Also, if indeed Nigeria still hopes to see herself as giant of Africa,” now is the time to do it right. Only then can Nigeria choose her friends, instead of being chosen, annoyed and dumped at will by others.
My Agony is that South Africa has become, to wealthy Nigerians, what the United States once was to rogue government officials, to invest in and enjoy their ill-gotten wealth, and with the risk of losing such investments and personal property, will undermine any attempt by Nigeria to make a bold statement at the Diplomatic front.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.