Xenophobic Crises: Shocker from Nigerians who have decided to remain in South Africa

It’s true their women prefer our men By Evelyn Usman As the Air Peace aircraft that brought   the first batch of 188   Nigerian returnees from South Africa, landed at the tarmac of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Wednesday night, the returnees were welcomed into the warmth arms of some government officials and relatives, amidst different expressions on their faces.

Xenophobic Attack 

Six hundred others who willingly decided to return home, in order to escape the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, are still awaiting their turn to board the next available flight. 

But with a   record of over 30,000 Nigerians living in South Africa, one would have expected the number of returnees to be more that 688. 

Investigation by Saturday Vanguard on why the number of voluntary returnees is low, showed that most Nigerians are still weighing the option. 

Meanwhile, back in South Africa, foreign nationals among who are Nigerians, are still locked indoors for fear of further attacks, with their work places still a shadow of what they used to be. 

In a telephone conversation with some of them in different provinces, they blamed the economic condition back home in Nigeria, as the major reason they are reluctant to return. 

One of them, Ferdnard Ikechukwu , who was asked why he did not use the opportunity of the free flight back to Nigeria, said, “ Come to Nigeria to do what? 

Is the situation there better than what we have here? 

Are Boko Haram not killing people at will? 

Are there no militia groups who take laws into their hands and waste innocent lives in Nigeria? 

What about all the killings back home by bandits, herdsmen kidnappers? 

What has the government done to address them? “  

Besides, will government give me job? 

Will I return and fold my hands watching my aged parents feed me, my wife and children? 

I will rather remain here and pray for God’s protection”. 

Electricity 

Another 

Nigerian, Osasoyen Idemia, said “ Government is saying we should come home when there are no plans on ground for us. If the Nigerian government will address the issue of electricity, about 75% of Nigerians in South Africa will return home because our work needs unhindered electricity supply. 

If there is constant electricity supply   in Nigeria, Nigerians who have invested here in South Africa will return home. This is an essential need government must address”. On his part, Mr Uche Ozioma, said, “ It is not as if I do not want to return home. 

But I have already established a business here. I have been here for 20 years and I have branches in seven provinces. I have four children, all graduates. 

Two of them are married to South Africans. I go home (Nigeria ) every December to spend Christmas with my parents and relatives. Tell me, if I leave here, where would I start from ?” 

Another Nigerian Edome Asemota , said, “ I can’t leave because there is no hope for me back home. 

I came into South Africa, three years ago, having spent five years in Nigeria without a job. I did all kinds of menial jobs to eke a living, while in Nigeria, yet , I could not rent one-room apartment. Besides, pressure was on me to get married because I am an only child.

  

“My course mate back in the university invited me to South Africa three years ago. I started as a sales boy in a car mart   in Malvern , a suburb of Johannesburg. I also help people wash cars. 

At least I could save reasonable amount. The only problem here is the xenophobic attacks. My prayer is that God will spare my life”.(Vanguard)