Photo credit: the Punch
I’m just learning it wasn’t the Murtala/Obasanjo regime that began the spending spree on South African freedom.
I’ve learnt it all started from the very first Republic when Mallam Tafawa Balewa was Nigeria’s prime minister.
But when it got to the Murtala/Obasanjo regime, Nigeria was so much involved that it was named amongst the front line African states, as they were then called.
Nigeria spent a lot of resources and goodwill. Apart from the financial commitment of Nigeria, it was also committed ideologically.
I would think that was the only period Nigeria had a full blown ideology. The only time the country was committed to a worthy cause.
What with the take over of some foreign companies whose governments were thought to be influential in Southern Africa. At least, I can remember Mobil, Shell, etc.
Then, when Nigeria was speaking, the other countries will keep quiet. The government was represented by the handsome and tall army officer Joseph Garba as Commissioner for External Affairs and Professor Bolaji Akinyemi as Director of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs.
One can go on and on!
However, when one look at what’s happening to Nigerians in South Africa, one cannot fail to remember the streets of Nigeria where a saying is popular,
‘Da pada, owo baba ‘jebu’
This is used in the betting world. It’s known there that the owners don’t lose simply because they use the money other players have punted in paying the winners.
One might even remember a prayer by Ebenezer Obey in one of his records that people are looking to God so as not to invest in bad businesses.
I very much think South Africa has been bad business for Nigeria.
It shouldn’t have been South Africans that would be involved in xenophobic attacks against Nigerians. Unfortunately, I can’t see any reasons why I should be persuaded they are not being egged on by the South African government.
Now, some Nigerians are taking it upon themselves to attack South African businesses in Nigeria.
I’m not sure we realize the whole world is looking at Africans maltreating fellow Africans. We will now be on the rooftops condemning racism!
Should I shout, Viva Africa?
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