Attack On Nigerians: South Africa Govt Not sincere -Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday blamed the leadership in South Africa for the xenophobic attacks being perpetrated by nationals of the country against Nigerians.
Obasanjo said the leaders of the country should have properly educated the youth perpetrating the attacks on the struggles of Nigeria in fighting against apartheid regime that ruled the country for a long time.
The former President spoke when the leadership of the Alumni Association of Nigeria Institute of Policy and
Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, paid him a courtesy visit at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library
(OOPL), Abeokuta.
Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, paid him a courtesy visit at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library
(OOPL), Abeokuta.
He said, “Youths can be so immature, they may not understand what Africa stands for, what our continental organizations stand for.
“But if the youths do not understand what happened to the elders, what happened
to the leadership, I will blame the youths of the country for the attacks but I will blame the leaders more in any country that allows xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans for whatever reason.”
to the leadership, I will blame the youths of the country for the attacks but I will blame the leaders more in any country that allows xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans for whatever reason.”
The ex-president, however, called on African leaders to put in place good governance for overall development
of the continent and its teeming population.
He also admonished Nigerian youths to believe more in their
country and resist the temptation for greener pastures.
country and resist the temptation for greener pastures.
He added: “Having said that, it is also the responsibility of everyone of us in
our different countries to prepare our countries so that those our
youths that think that there is an Eldorado somewhere outside their
countries will be made to know that there is no greenpasture anywhere.
our different countries to prepare our countries so that those our
youths that think that there is an Eldorado somewhere outside their
countries will be made to know that there is no greenpasture anywhere.
“The green pasture is here in your country. I feel disheartened to know that many of our youths perished while crossing the Sahara Desert or the Mediterranean.”
Earlier, the chairman of the alumni association, Major-General Lawrence Onoja (rtd), said the blame of xenophobia should be put at the doorstep of the South African leadership. He explained that the association visited Obasanjo as part of activities to felicitate with him on his 80th birthday.
