Archbishop Martins Condemns Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians In South Africa - Catholic Herald
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Archbishop Martins Condemns Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians In South Africa

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September 13, 2019
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The Catholic Archbishop of La-
gos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Ade-
wale Martins has condemned in

very strong terms the continu-
ous attacks on Nigerians in particular and

other Africans in South Africa, describing
such attacks as barbaric, reprehensible
and an attack on the very core of African

brotherhood.

Reacting to the recent onslaught on Ni-
gerians by some South African nationals

which led to the loss of lives of Nigerians
and nationals of other African countries
as well as the vandalization and looting of
their business interests in the country, the

Prelate described as too little and ineffec-
tive the manner the Federal Government

has handled the issue.

In a release signed by the Acting Direc-
tor of Social Communications, Rev Fr

Anthony Godonu, Archbishop Martins

noted that the failure of the Federal Gov-
ernment to decisively deal with the issue

using very strong diplomatic means con-
tinues to embolden the perpetrators and

makes the South African government
not to do enough to stem the tide of the
attacks. That South African Police officials
are seen publicly rousing peoples’ anger
against foreigners in their country without

any visible repercussion gives an impres-
sion of some official endorsement of the

mob action and our government needs to
pursue this to its logical conclusion.

“It is the responsibility of every govern-
ment to protect the lives and properties of

its citizens within and outside the country.
Any attack on Nigerian citizens should

elicit a swift response from the govern-
ment not to talk of them being killed with

impunity.

“The insufficient response of our Gov-
ernment in confronting the matter with

the seriousness it deserves does not
project us in a good light as a country
that cares enough for the welfare of its

citizens. My fear is that if decisive diplo-
matic measures are not taken now, this

matter may go out of hand with enor-
mous consequences for all.”

Recalling the frontline role Nigeria

played in bringing an end to the obnox-
ious apartheid policy in South Africa,

and the enormous financial and hu-
man resources deployed for that pur-
pose, Archbishop Martins wondered

why fellow blacks who had, and are
still benefiting from their relationship
with our nation have chosen to pay us
back by unleashing so much violence
against our citizens. This is not the kind
of South Africa that Nelson Mandela
labored for”
He further said, “this marks another
wake-up call for our leaders to work
even more assiduously so that the social
and economic situation of our nation can
be better such migration of our nationals,

legal or illegal, can be reduced and if peo-
ple who migrate get badly treated, they can

come back home fully assured that they
would be in good stead.”

The Archbishop however urged Nigeri-
ans in South Africa to continue to ensure

that they present the nation in a good light,
going about only legitimate businesses and

professions. In his own words, “I urge Ni-
gerians in South Africa to go about only

lawful activities in the country and desist

from criminal actions that tarnish the im-
age of the country.”

He also appealed to youths in Nigeria to
continue to show restraint and allow the
relevant government agencies to exhaust
all diplomatic means geared at stopping
the attacks and bringing the perpetrators
to book as soon as possible.

He discouraged any form of reprisal at-
tacks on organizations owned by South

Africans in Nigeria, saying that it does
not offer any solution to the problem. In
his words: “when we give in to the urge

to engage in reprisal attacks, how differ-
ent are we from those perpetuate these

crimes against humanity? An eye for an
eye eventually leaves everyone blind”

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