A former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has called for solidarity between ‘brothers’ South Africa and Nigeria amidst ongoing tensions between the two African countries. Recall, the past week has been filled with troubling issues between the two countries. This time, the issue revolves around the ride-hailing service, Bolt.
In a provocative attempt to spite Nigerians, humiliate Nigerian drivers, and cause disruption, some South Africans were said to have been ordering Bolt rides in Nigeria from South Africa, only to cancel the order when the driver arrived at the agreed location. Not to be outdone, Nigerians reciprocated by also ordering rides and cancelling; the tug of war between citizens of both countries led to Bolt suspending some of its services in both countries. In an open letter on his ‘X’ account, Omokri outlined the need for peaceful relations, particularly concerning Nigerian immigrants in South Africa and their treatment.
He stressed Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the apartheid era, noting that notable South African leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, were once political asylum seekers in Nigeria. “Thank you for briefly lending me your ears. What many of you, our South African brothers and sisters, who are today railing about Nigerian immigrants, fail to appreciate is that your first elected President, Nelson Mandela, was once an immigrant and political asylee in Nigeria, where he lived in the home of Nigeria’s first Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, in Lagos in the early sixties,” the post read in part.
Reno Omokri also pointed out the financial and educational support to South Africans and urged a measured approach to current tensions, reminding both nations of their shared history and the sacrifices made by Nigerians for South African freedom. He said, “Between 1960 and 1999, more than two thousand South Africans studied in Nigeria on scholarships from the Nigerian government. I have photographic and documentary evidence of this.
We understand that a few undesirable elements among us have tarnished Nigeria’s reputation, and we are addressing this with South African authorities. READ ALSO: Dear South Africans, Nigeria supported you when others did not “These issues involve ethnicity, and Nigeria’s authorities must be sensitive to avoid actions perceived as anti-ethnic groups. Our shared history goes beyond a common language.
We supported your leaders with asylum, finances, and diplomatic aid when many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, did not. “Not in rhetoric. We provided money, arms, and safe houses.
Nigerian businessman Chief MKO Abiola alone committed over £500,000 to the anti-apartheid struggle in the seventies and eighties. The claim that Nigeria spent $61 billion is false, but we did spend significantly. “Please bear with us.
This antagonism towards Nigerians may stem from a lack of awareness of our shared history. Let us be measured in our rhetoric and actions, recognizing that we are brothers and sisters from the womb of Mother Africa.” The recent tensions between the two countries were also exacerbated when South Africans signed a petition to restrict Nigerian Chidimma Adetshina from participating in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant, citing that she was not South African.
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