Following the renewed xenophobic attack on Nigerians in South Africa, erstwhile Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Dipo Kolawole, has called on the Federal Government to retaliate.
Kolawaole urged the Federal Government to ensure that South Africans and other countries that have treated Nigerians “shabbily” are made to realise that there will be grave consequences for their actions.
The Professor made the call at the opening of the ongoing first annual conference of Nigerian Political Science Association, South West Zone held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday.
He urged the government to review its foreign policy thrust which has made lesser countries to disrespect and assault its nationals at “will without any fear.”
According to Kolawole: ”Nigeria must strive to reclaim its leadership position in Africa not as a Father Christmas by distributing resources to lesser states but as a respected nation whose citizens should not and cannot be insulted and assaulted at will as it is happening in South Africa.
” It is natural that a bold and respected leader in domestic politics will command external respect. Our friends in the international community, including the sub-region of West Africa and the continent of Africa must always be made to realise that there will be consequences if out citizens are treated shabbily and unfair.”
This is coming at a time when the Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, stressed that retaliation would be the last option in the effort towards resolving the renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
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