Riyaz Patel
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has told Nigerians living in South Africa to be “law abiding and to respect constituted authorities where they live.”
Addressing his Nigerian compatriots at a meeting in Pretoria Friday, the last day of his three-day state visit to South Africa, Buhari said they should “never forget that they represent some of the best human assets Nigeria has, and that the world was watching them as ambassadors of their country.”
“You are the face of our country to the world wherever you are. “The world is therefore, watching you and would make judgments on Nigeria based on your comportment and actions.“
Buhari further urged Nigerians to use their resources, skills and talents to help the development of Nigeria.
“In whatever legitimate engagement you find yourself, you must strive to excel and be the best, and while you are out in the Diaspora, do not forget home,” he said.
Buhari’s visit comes a month after mostly foreigners were attacked, as well as some local and foreign-owned business’ destroyed in some parts of South Africa.
Twelve people – ten South Africans and two foreign nationals – were killed in the unrest.
Buhari said at Friday’s town hall meeting that the xenophobic attacks shocked him, describing it as an “embarrassment to Africa.”
Buhari said Abuja and Pretoria “have taken actions and measures to address this issue and prevent their reoccurrence.”
September’s attacks resulted in tensions between Africa’s two largest economies. Hundreds of Nigerians took advantage of free flights offered by the privately owned PeaceAir to head home.
President Cyril Ramaphosa moved swiftly to calm the escalating tensions, after South African business’ were attacked in reprisal attacks in Nigeria.
“May I also enjoin the few that sometimes gives us a bad name, to desist from such misdemeanours and be our good ambassadors,” Nigeria’s 76-year-old president said.
Additional reporting by Pulse Nigeria.
