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Real Reason Nigeria Govt could not Reprimand South Africa for Xenophobic Attack by Gimba Kakanda

Since the images and videos of the maiming and killing of black foreigners in South Africa began to emerge on various social media platforms last week, Nigeria has been an emotionally frayed place. Tens of thousands of Nigerians live in South African cities and in recent years, they have become frequent targets of xenophobic attacks.

This time, anger in Nigeria boiled over and young Nigerians took to the streets protesting South African aggression and unleashing some of their own on South African-owned businesses.

The Nigerian government felt pressured to act and subsequently recalled its ambassador from Pretoria and announced it was pulling out of the World Economic Forum meeting on Africa which was held in Cape Town. While some Nigerians welcomed the move, others thought it was not enough and called on their government to intervene and rescue its citizens.

Examples abound of powerful countries going to great lengths to protect and repatriate their citizens who have faced danger abroad.

But Nigeria is not one of them. Indeed, in the past, the country has stood its ground on a number of occasions when defending its national interests. In the 1960s, for example, Nigeria had a face-off with France over the latter’s continuous tests of nuclear weapons in the Sahara desert. The government of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa acted decisively, breaking diplomatic relations with Paris, expelling the French ambassador and imposing a full embargo on French goods.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Nigeria led the international effort to isolate and pressure the apartheid regime in South Africa. It threatened economic action against Western powers for refusing to sanction the regime and supported the national liberation movements in Southern Africa, including the African Nation Congress (ANC), with millions of dollars annually.

In the 1990s, the country, under the leadership of military ruler Sani Abacha, defied international sanctions and welcomed a visit by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. It also directly intervened in the Liberian civil war, dispatching Nigerian troops to fight.

Most of the reactions to the violent attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa reflect a yearning for Abacha-style diplomacy. But as recent developments in its relations with the United States demonstrated, Nigeria can no longer wield such diplomatic power. Last month, the Nigerian government was spectacularly quick to react to the US’s reciprocal rise in visa fees by reducing the charge for Americans applying for a visa to enter the country. And last year President Muhammadu Buhari decided to “keep quiet” on President Donald Trump‘s alleged “s***hole” remark about African nations.

At present, it is clear Nigeria does not have the military, the intelligence capability or the diplomatic clout to pursue a serious escalation against even a regional power, such as South Africa.

This diplomatic “standoff” with Pretoria has exposed the weakness Abuja has masked in parading itself as a self-styled “Giant of Africa”. South Africa used to be a bully that Nigeria could restrain through its support for proxies inside the country and its neighbourhood. But since the end apartheid, this relationship has evolved into a regional competition, which Pretoria is winning.

After the sanctions and international isolation were lifted, South Africa quickly became the continent’s more favoured ally of developed economies and foreign investors. Pretoria emerged as the recipient of the largest share of foreign direct investment in sub-Saharan Africa and in 2011 joined the BRIC countries in an economic pact formed to challenge the domination of Western economic policy.

It is also an important trading partner that Nigeria cannot afford to lose. South African businesses have major investments in the country, including the DSTV cable service, MTN telecom, the Shoprite supermarket chain and others. Nigeria exports $3.83bn worth of goods, mostly oil and oil products, to South Africa. By contrast, it imports just $514.3m of South African products, which accounts for less than one percent of total South African exports.

The more contrasting feature of the two economies, and which again highlights Nigeria’s weakness is that while Abuja levers around a commodity-dependent economy, Pretoria has built a highly-diversified economy with a superior industrial structure. In other words, Nigeria needs South Africa economically, much more than South Africa needs Nigeria.

Nigeria’s geopolitical power has also waned in recent years, while South Africa has remained a major regional power. Abuja has been battling with a rebellion in the north for years and has struggled to put a stop to flares of tribal violence regularly killing dozens of people. In its neighbourhood, Nigeria continues to feel largely insecure, surrounded by Francophone countries whose allegiances to France threaten the commitment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to stability and non-aggression in the region.

The Nigerian government has also been unable to muster enough influence in the West to become a trusted partner. In 2014, the Obama administration, for example, blocked the sale of arms to the Nigerian military. The Trump administration decided to proceed with it but under heavy conditions which Nigerian officials have deemed “unacceptable“. Western reluctance to sell weapons to Abuja has pressed it to seek arms on the black market. South Africa has embarrassed it twice in recent years by intercepting large arms shipment bound for Nigeria.

In this sense, the Nigerian government cannot do anything about the violence against its citizens in South Africa beyond making a few symbolic diplomatic moves and bringing up once again the Nigerian role in liberating South Africans from its white oppressors. It is clear that in doing so it is addressing Pretoria from the position of weakness.

Indeed, using persistent references to sub-Saharan African commonality and solidarity as a result of shared history, race and geography is not an effective foreign policy tool.

The idea of One Africa is a farce taken too far, and successive Nigerian elites have pandered to this fantasy to the detriment of national interests. The legacy of this pan-African misadventure is a geopolitically weak Nigeria which cannot stand up to for itself and for its citizens

This very much has to do with mismanagement of the economy. The redemption Nigeria needs is one that moves the country away from dependence on oil exports, foreign imports and interventions and towards diversification and industrialisation. We cannot afford to glorify the idea of producing pencils in the age of artificial intelligence any more.

Only if the country becomes materially secure and industrially productive will it be able to regain its soft power and international clout and stand up to the old bullies in its neighbourhood.

Incoming Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri Shows His Love For Sports And Youth Development

It was a friendly, cool and serene weekend as ardent soccer lovers gathered to keep a date with physical fitness. All garbed in their sport kits and ready to show the good people of Bayelsa the stuffs they are made of as far as football is concerned. One of the great sons of Bayelsa on the field is the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the forthcoming November 16th election in the state, Senator Douye Diri.

Though, it initially appeared to spectators that the Senator representing Bayelsa Central at the Upper Chamber may just be at the occasion just to acclimatize with his people, only few knew that he would be a major participant of the soccer fiesta. He, indeed made the football showpiece a wonderful and memorable experience for all and sundry.

Acording to one of the participant, he attended the showpiece with his brother to watch the Bayelsa ‘superstars’ displaying their God-given skills and soccer artistries. He is one of the best things to happen to the people of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri was on the other side. The celebrities among others were indeed cynosure of all eyes as the epic football match started. The performances of the two sides brought back an unforgettable memory of past football matches held in the state.

Senator Diri’s side was trailing the other team by 2 goals to 3. This development brought a heavy sad look on the faces of those in support of the Senator’s side.

Despite being led by the one goal margin, the Senator Diri’s team kept playing as if they were the ones leading, not allowing the strikers of the opposing team to add more to the goal tally. And within a twinkle of an eye, as the match was about to come to an end, even when the supporters of the Senator’s team almost gave up hope on any equalizer, the in-coming governor stroke brilliantly and he leveled up scores to bring back smiles on the faces of Diri’s supporters.

It ended 3 apiece and Senator Diri’s goal was adjudged the golden goal of the match. This is simply a signal to the unique administrative abilities and skills Senator Diri will bring into the affairs of Bayelsa State, given the mandate on November 16th, 2019.

There is no doubting the fact that Senator Douye Diri will put the development of sports and youths in Bayelsa State on the front burner as the number one citizen of the oil rich state and he is ever ready to put smiles on the faces of the youths. As a patriotic Nigerian and a man who knows the importance of the youths in any sane society, Senator Diri would not leave any stone unturned including the youths in his government, giving them the benefit of being stakeholders in the affairs of the state. He knows quite well also that the youths are very energetic and ready to tap on a necessary opportunity and this has paved way for the Nigerian youths in engaging in several anti-societal behaviours and crimes to the detriment of their images.

Senator Diri believes vividly that if an avenue like sport could be well tapped into, the sky will only be the limit in youth emancipation, rehabilitation and reorientation. According to him, he will embark on massive employment of the youths and also not leaving out the elders who are also potent members of the communities all across Bayelsa State.

The philanthropist of note also plans to bring on board several sports stars of Bayelsa origin who have made huge names for the country both locally and internationally. Cutting across football, swimming, boxing, athletics, wrestling and many other sporting activities, Senator Diri will, no doubt deliver Bayelsa sports to the highest peak.

He is indeed a man of his words and it will be very justifiable to vote such a man of passion and willingness into seeing to the affairs of Bayelsa State, a state that has been deprived of its rightful dividends of democracy for many years regardless of the fact that the state has produced one of the duly elected civilian presidents of Nigeria. A feat only a few states could boast of.

It is left for the people of Bayelsa State, most especially the youths to cast their votes for the man that will breathe a new life into sports development which is one of the most vital tools of their young minds and ensure their sporting careers and future.

While speaking to some residents of the neighbourhood where the football match was played, some are of the view that Senator Douye Diri was only using that as an opportunity to win the hearts of the people of Bayelsa State in order for them to cast their votes for him but many debunked that criticism saying that Senator Diri is never a man who hides his feelings and he would not stoop so low to deceive anybody just because he wants to be governor of Bayelsa State. He has been doing this sort for things for years while serving in all the offices in found himself up till today as a Senator.

More than 90 percentage of people in his locality vouched for his open-mindedness, caring and undented spirit of brotherhood. He is a man who wants people around him regardless of class and caliber. He never looked down on anyone and ensures that he maintains cordial and mutual relationships with everybody he comes across. He loves football and his passion for the game is not only in watching it, but practicing it physically on the pitch whenever the opportunity arises.

His coming in as the 5th civilian governor of Bayelsa State will surely bring a new dimension for sports in the state thereby improving tourism, hospitality and business in general. This is a state that has been yearning for the return to action of all sporting activities so as to enable the young talents in the state discover to the outside world for international recognition, accolades and laurels just like the likes of Samson Siasia, Daniel Igali, etc who are all Bayelsans that took the great name of Nigeria to global sporting perspectives.

Men are Easily Attracted to Me but I Don’t Get Carried Away- Islamic Singer, Ewa Islam

In the circle of Islamic music singers which is a component of the Nigeria’s music industry, young, beautiful and amiable Alhaja Opeyemi Mariam Abdulraq better known as Ewa Islam (Beauty of Islam) to some may appear to be a green horn, but that is totally contrary to the truth of the matter as the light skinned Islamic music artiste has been around for a couple of years, even though the coast has just been cleared for her sail and showcase the talent deposited in her to the world.

The pretty religious singer in this chat took us through a little about her world.

Contrary to the belief in some quarters that most Islamic artistes never saw the four walls of a class room, it is totally different in the case of Mariam as it has been the discovered she belongs in the group of those who are transforming the section of the music industry with the education they have acquired. Mariam revealed she’s a Mass Communication graduate of Lagos State polytechnic but she has her reasons for not practicing.

‘I am a graduate of Mass Communication from the Lagos State Polytechnic but music which is what I do is my passion and that is why it appears to be taking the whole of my attention.

Although, I still do one or two things that relate with Mass Communication but it still has to do with entertainment.’ Speaking about how long she has been singing and her exploits so far. ‘I started singing as a professional artiste some seven years ago and I have actually been showcasing my stuff at different places such that I can’t be said to be a green horn, at least among those who know me. Having said that, even though I didn’t have an album to my name until the one I just concluded work on, I have featured in a song with one Alhaji Rilwan. I think it is important that I say the fact that I was in school actually played a role in why my appearances or performances were restricted, so it was not as if I didn’t have songs to record. At this point however, I can say I am fully ready to let to the whole world that there is a sensation to watch out for in the Islamic music world that is known as Alhaja Opeyemi Mariam Abdurazaq a.k.a Ewa Islam. ’

Been in a trade that exposes her to the public and the fact that this singer is blessed with a beauty that would certainly draw attention to her, we sought to know how she handles advances from men. Opeyemi responds ‘laughs… that is actually a compliment so I say thank you. If we are to be truthful I will say it is only an unfortunate woman…what Yoruba call Oloriburuku Obinrin that will say a man should not make advances at her or admirer her but what I do as an individual is that I find a way to handle such advances that I don’t get anyone offended. Men do come but I can’t afford to be promiscuous by giving in to them all so I find a way to cope that I retain my integrity.’

Mariam made it known that getting to the present stage of her carrier has not been without challenges but grateful to God for his mercies. ‘I will be telling lies if I say all have been roller coaster to this level because one has actually been through so much. May be in the process of seeking assistance or lobbying for shows and all the rest, one has encountered so much, especially as a lady. You go to some places for assistance and they are telling you to do give them something in return before they can help and all that, so it has not been easy but I give glory to God.’

Meanwhile, in her bid to put her recording career on a proper footing, come the month of October, Alhaja Opeyemi will be officially launching her debut album that is titled, Ewa Islam. The launch that is billed to take place 13^th October at Ramonak Banquet Hall, U-Turn, Abule-

Egba, Lagos, is expected to bring together those who matter in the world of Islam, her fans and top shots in the society. While Opeyemi is expected to entertain guests with her craft, popular Fuji singer, Abass Akande Obesere is also expected to add spice to the event with his performance. To gain access to the event, guests are expected to purchase Ankara fabrics designed for the event and details about it can be obtained through 0906691128.

REDTV’s Red Hot Topics Goes Live… As Millennials Bare All

Following the immense success of its drama series, The Men’s Club (TMC), REDTV is about to launch its own chat show, Red Hot Topics. The show follows a panel of young people discussing current and hot topics that affect everyday life. They will openly and frankly touch on topics ranging from equality to infidelity, sex, relationships, honour, business and the choices we all must make.

Take 12 exciting, energetic, hot young folks, ask them the most daring of questions and watch them thrash out opinions that will make you think long and hard.

Produced on set in the brand new studios of REDTV, Red Hot Topics will defy the norms and break down all barriers. The boys – T.J, Ihechi, O.D, Tayo, Ola , Martin and Farouq and the girls – Lolo, Ada, Coco, Bukky and Ariyiike are stunning, stylish, suave and ready to talk. If it’s honest, they will tell it. If it is taboo, they will uncover it. But most of all, if it’s forbidden and unchartered, – they will go all the way and bring the heat!

Speaking on REDTV’s latest series, Executive Producer of the Show, Bola Atta said ‘Red Hot Topics is a chat show that will change how people think and act, in a positive way. The conversations of the vibrant youths are as essential as they are interesting and engaging. The cast is fun, honest and fresh, all speaking straight from the heart, with no holds barred.’

Red Hot Topics will premiere on the 11^th of September, 2019 on the REDTV YouTube channel. Follow all the REDTV channels across social media for more information and to watch the movement live!

REDTV is a fast paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the United Bank for Africa (UBA). The network is here to entertain and inform, with rich content that features the very best of Africa; focused on entertainment, fashion, news, design, music, sport, movies, travel and much more.

REDTV collaborates with the most talented visionaries, creative minds daring to believe in a New Africa, putting together content that reflects it. Feel the Heat on REDTV.

APPOEMN set to Scale up Events Industry Practices with TEIC 2019

The Association of Professional Party Organizers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN), is set to convene TEIC 2019, a 3-day transformational network of learning and cutting edge exponential conference for members of the association from September 18 to 22 2019.

Addressing the press in Lagos on Sunday September 8, Vice President of the association, Mrs Adefunke Kuyoro disclosed that the theme of this year’s conference, the third in a series, being ‘Stepping Up’; presented an opportunity for event industry practitioners to put their brands ahead if not at par with industry leaders and players in the event space.

“We call all eventprenuers/practitioners to ‘step up’ their game in the industry, because the more excellent our brands become, the better our event industry in Nigeria; be you a vendor, planner, venue owner, service provider in the event industry. It is time to step it up for good.” Kuyoro posited.

Speaking further about the 3-day conference, Mrs Kuyoro said what informed TEIC (The Event Industry Conference), expected to assemble key professionals from across the country and a spectrum of events service providers, to share experiences, perspectives, insights and latest developments in the events industry, was the desire to mix international growing trends with existing traditions.

According to her, “events have always been a part of our culture, but in the recent past it has received a sudden boost, apparent by the increase in coverage received from the print and social media.”

“The 3-day conference is drawn up to provide technical sessions and poster sessions on cutting edge issues related to the event industry, and will also provide ample opportunities for networking and socializing with colleagues.” Kuyoro averred.

TEIC 2019 is expected to kick off on the 18th of September with a Masterclass scheduled for 250 participants, where evolving issues and trends in the industry will be learnt, culminating in a bonding after-party in what can best be called “Senior Lit of a lifetime”

Day 2 of the event will be devoted to Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR by way of easing motorists’ driveway through Lagos Island and mainland in a give back approach to law-abiding Lagosians.

To that extent the association has partnered with the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) to coordinate traffic in heavy-traffic-prone areas in super hyper traffic time between the hours of 7am-9am, with 350 members of the association expected to take part in the exercise. Next on Day 2 agenda will be a yardsale (a kind of compensation plan) to the industry where various valuable items will be circulated especially to new entrants, to boost their brand equity in the trendy event market space at giveaway rates.

The icing on the cake in regard to TEIC 2019, is its culmination on the last day of the event with a dinner and award night, where up to 500 guests are expected to attend the TEIC Award for the year, as the best practitioners in diverse categories of the industry will be appreciated.

Speaking to SMILE on the criteria adopted for the award, Mrs Kuyoro said nominations were done by members of the association on the different categories with 5 to 6 nominees in each category, while voting was done online to produce the list of recipients for the final awards, all in strict compliance to the best ethos.

With respect to some challenges in the industry cutting across relevant training, optimum service delivery, trust and abuse issues etc., Mrs Kuyoro told SMILE that APPOEMN has over the years been able to set the standard for operation in the industry which has made the association a credible force, saying the association is not just an all-comers affair, as prospective members are observed for up to two years before being registered in the organisation, while penalties which include suspension or dismissal, depending on the degree of rules infringement are also meted to erring members, all in a bid to make the industry attain and maintain standard global practices, assuring that such erring members would at the end of their penalty also have to reapply again, if qualified to. Training opportunities she added were also being constantly offered to members to ensure best practices.

APPOEMN is an association with a mix of seasoned events professionals that have been at the forefront of event planning and coordination in Nigeria, for the past 15 years. The association has risen to become a major player in the socio-economic space in the Nigerian polity contributing 55bn to the country’s GDP in budgets, appreciatively deflating the country’s unemployment balloon.

The Event Industry Conference (TEIC) is an annual event of APPOEMN and this year’s would be the third edition of the event.

Tickets to attend the event can be obtained via www.teic.live or 08033053529, 08033728555 while interested event practitioners can also join the association by sending such requests to appoemnnigeria@gmail.com

Fayemi’s wife picks stranded nursing mother’s hospital bill

The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi, on Sunday picked the medical bills of a nursing mother, Mrs Sade Ojo, who had been stranded at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, since August 31, following her inability to pay the bill after being delivered of a set of twins.

The governor’s wife, who read about the woman in the social media on Sunday, dispatched an official, Mr Dauda Lawal, to the hospital to verify the claim and rescue the woman and her surviving baby.

The woman was admitted in the EKSUTH on August 30 and lost one of her twin babies during labour, while the second was referred to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

She was discharged on August 31, but her bill rose to N80,750 following complications.

The nursing mother, who said she was tired of sleeping in the hospital after being discharged, had appealed to the governor’s wife; the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade; and well-meaning Ekiti indigenes to come to her aid.

Lawal said, “Around 8pm today (Sunday), the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, called me that she read about one Mrs Ojo in the social media, who was delivered of a set of twins at the EKSUTH since August 31 but could not go home because her husband could not pick the N80,750 bill.

“Erelu directed me to the hospital to find out the true situation of things and that if found to be true, she would be ready to settle the bill and that the woman and her surviving baby must not sleep in the hospital that night.

“I came to the hospital and I met Mrs Ojo, her mother and husband, who were worried about the ugly development without any solution. I promptly introduced myself and delivered Erelu’s message to them. Praises of joy immediately rented the ward.

“We approached the nurses on duty and actions were expedited to discharge Mrs Ojo and her baby. I am happy to tell all that the woman and her baby have been let go courtesy of Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

“I personally drove the family down to their home around 9.30pm and they were full of praises to God Almighty and offered prayers for Erelu Bisi Fayemi.”

The nursing mother and her husband appreciated the governor’s wife for her prompt intervention.

The Head of Corporate Affairs, EKSUTH, Mrs Rolake Adewumi, said the hospital witnesses situations like that from time to time because it had to discharge its responsibilities of saving lives first.

Adewumi stated, “The hospital’s management, on being notified, had already arranged for relief measures for the woman, which would have been perfected on Monday so that she could go home.

“When we have cases of genuine indigent patients, who cannot afford their medical bills, such patients are referred to the social services department, where the details and debts will be recorded so that such will be included for philanthropists, who may come later to offset bills of indigent patients.”

British Airways’ pilots’ 3 Days Strike enters Second Day

A landmark strike by British Airways pilots entered its second day on Tuesday with more travel chaos — and no end in sight to the long-running dispute overpay.

BA has decided to cancel almost all its flights for the second day in a row, it announced in a statement identical to the one issued Monday.

The carrier, which is owned by London-listed International Airlines Group, said it has cancelled nearly 100 per cent of its 850 daily flights, affecting the travel plans of more than 100,000 passengers.

However, the pilots’ trade union stood firm in its demands for greater salary and benefits.

The industrial action by pilots, which is the first in BA’s 100-year history, has seen flights axed for approximately 200,000 travellers, mostly from London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

In advance of the strike, BA offered full refunds or bookings on alternative dates or flights with a different airline.

The walkout overpays by members of the British Airline Pilots Association trade union follows around nine months of failed talks.

With no talks scheduled, pilots will also stage another one-day strike on September 27.

“Pilots are standing firm and have shown just how resolute they are,” BALPA boss Brian Strutton said in a brief statement.

“British Airways needs to start listening to its pilots and actually come up with ways of resolving this dispute.”

BA has offered a salary increase of 11.5 per cent over three years, which it argues would boost the annual pay of some captains to £200,000 ($246,000 or 220,000 euros).

However, the union has rejected the proposal that was made in July, arguing that its members want a bigger share of the company’s profits.

BALPA estimates that the 48-hour strike is costing the airline a total of £80 million but BA has yet to give an estimate.

Zenith Bank’s Aspire Music Festival Debuts in Lagos, Features Nigeria’s Top Artistes

Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Zenith Bank Plc, is set to light up the social and entertainment scene this month with the announcement of the Bank’s “Aspire Music Festival”.

Dubbed as the most anticipated entertainment event of the year, the music festival holds on Saturday, September 21, 2019 by 8.00pm at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The breathtaking festival promises to be a night to remember, as it will feature captivating and thrilling musical performances by some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes including Olamide, Flavour, Phyno, Niniola, Mayorkun and Rema.

The Aspire Musical Festival, which is a must attend event for music lovers, tourists and fun seekers, is one of a series of events lined up by Zenith Bank to usher in “Style by Zenith 2.0”, the bank’s annual lifestyle fair which will take place towards the end of the year.

Attendance at the music festival is exclusively reserved for Zenith Bank customers. However, non-Zenith customers can still participate by simply opening a Zenith Bank account and registering to attend at www.zenithbank.com/style.

Zenith Bank Plc is recognized as one of the most innovative financial institutions in Nigeria and was voted the most customer-focused bank in Nigeria for the Retail and SME segments in the 2018 KPMG Annual Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS).

Buhari receives envoy to South Africa, orders evacuation of 640 Nigerians

The President also gave clear instructions that Nigerians willing to return home should be evacuated from South Africa immediately.

The President took the decisions when he received  the report of the special envoy he sent last week to his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to register Nigeria’s concerns over the attacks.

The Presidency, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the special envoy, who is the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai-Abubakar, returned to Nigeria after the assignment and had submitted his report to the President.

It said Rufai-Ababukar was in Pretoria from Thursday to Saturday. While in Pretoria, the envoy conveyed the following to Ramaphosa, “The deep concern of President Buhari and Nigerians about intermittent violence against Nigerians and their property/business interests in South Africa.

“President Buhari stressed the need for South African government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

“President Buhari is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.

“The special envoy conveyed the assurance of President Buhari that the Nigerian government was ready and willing to collaborate with the South African government to find a lasting solution to the involvement of few Nigerians in criminal activities, and to protect the lives and property of the larger groups of other law-abiding Nigerians and indeed Africans in general, against all forms of attacks including xenophobia.

“President Buhari further assured that the Nigerian government will guarantee the safety of lives, property and business interests of South Africans in Nigeria.”

The statement, which was signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also gave details of Ramaphosa’s responses.

It added, “On his part, President Ramaphosa agrees that the violence is most disconcerting and embarrassing, adding that his government completely rejects such acts, which undermine not only the country’s image, but also its relations with brotherly African countries.

“President Ramaphosa reaffirmed his stand against criminality and that he was committed to doing everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.”

Upon receiving the report, Buhari said he had taken note of it and directed Onyeama “to continue to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measure the South African government is expected to take.”

He also gave “instructions for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians who are willing to return home.”

The Presidency added that the envoy also met with his South African counterpart “where they reviewed the situation of foreign emigrants in general and Nigerians in particular.”

It said the two “agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property.”

Two aircraft to bring 640 Nigerians from South Africa – Presidency

Also on Monday, the Presidency said the number of Nigerians in South Africa, who had shown interest in returning home had risen from 400 to 640.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Diaspora.

Apc chieftain dies in Edo fatal accident

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) Mr. Friday Moses is dead.

He passed away on 1st of January after his car was swept into drainage carnal with incident reporting he was coming from a new year celebration with three of his Friends who are also Members of All Progressive Congress, namely Mr. Lookman Osadolor age 43years, Mr. Damian Obasogie 40years and Omonsigho Ekinadose Osazuwa age 39years.

According to an eyewitness who was at the scene when the terrible accident happened Mr. Haruna Abark, said that the disease was on a high speed coming down from Sepele Road before he lost control as a result of drinking and driving.
According to another undisclosed eye witness who said that the driver was reckless in driving.

Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress in Edo State has described the late Friday Moses, as a grassroots politician and been one of the founding fathers of All progressive Congress in Edo state, the Apc Further described the chieftain as a stabilizing force who was identified with progressive in the party.

In a statement issued by the party secretary in Edo state, Mr. Phillips Osamudiamhen recalled that the late Friday Moses, served as a member of the Presidential campaign Committee that worked for President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015, Mr. Friday Moses was also a grass-root mobilized who helped governor Godwin Obaseki secure a landslide victory in 2016.
late Friday Moses survived with one wife Mrs. Aghedo Joy moses, and 4 kids From Edo state.

The A.P.C party will miss the experience, temperament, and maturity of late Friday Moses displayed of his duties.
We express our deep condolences to his family especially the young wife who he left behind with 4 kids.

In a statement from the Family of Friday Moses, the elder brother of Friday Moses, Mr. Osagie Moses said that the sudden death of his brother is a result of domestic violence between him and his wife Mr. Aghedo Joy moses, who the family blame as the major reason while he was drunk while driving, Mr osagie Moses said that the brother and his wife had a problem that morning on January 1st before his brother drove out of the house describing the accident as a result of treatment given to his brother by the wife.

According to the Edo state police command PRO, Mr. Sunday Iyase said that the body of the late deceased has been put in motuary while the Nigeria police will carry out investigations and urgue membres of the public to go out doing their normal businesses.