Xenophobic attacks: Help South Africans, don’t punish them — OAU don.
…As varsity’s International Relations Department marks 50th anniversary By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo The Federal Government has been urged to adopt a sympathetic approach towards South Africa over the recent xenophobic attacks, rather than resort to punitive measures, with a don at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, saying South Africans need help at a difficult time.
A Professor of International Relations at OAU, Charles Ukeje, said the xenophobic violence was regrettable, particularly given Nigeria’s significant contributions, alongside other African countries, to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Ukeje spoke during a press conference organised to herald the 50th anniversary of the university’s Department of International Relations at the campus.
He blamed the attacks partly on the failure of successive South African governments to adequately educate their citizens about the sacrifices made by Nigeria and other African countries towards ending apartheid. According to him, proper education about the contributions of other African nations could have helped foster a stronger sense of brotherhood among South Africans and other Africans. He said: “I believe that the xenophobic violence in South Africa is very regrettable. It is regrettable because this is a country which the rest of the continent, particularly Nigeria, helped to midwife in the context of apartheid.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with Vanguard.