Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has urged Nigerians to respond to recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa through a peaceful economic boycott rather than acts of violence.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, on Tuesday, Onyema called on Nigerians to halt investments in South Africa while encouraging South African businesses to continue operating in Nigeria under conditions set by the Nigerian government.
“The kind of retaliation I want is for Nigerians to boycott South Africa. Don’t invest in that country. If they want to invest in our country, let them bring their money and invest, and you determine how they take the money back. That is non-violence action,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed anti-foreigner protests in parts of South Africa, where demonstrators have reportedly demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30, prompting repatriation efforts by Nigeria and other affected countries.
Onyema expressed concern over the treatment of African migrants, accusing South African authorities of failing to adequately protect foreign nationals during periods of unrest.
“I totally agree that there should be a stop to foolishness. Every time they do this, and they get the support of their government. I don’t understand how all of a sudden South Africa lacked police force, lacked the military, lacked every security agency that could have stopped these people.
“How do you explain where people will march into somebody’s house, bring you out, questioning you, ‘Can I see your papers? You are a foreigner. You have to go back home,’” he asked.
The airline executive argued that many Nigerians living in South Africa contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy through entrepreneurship and job creation.
“He brought money from Nigeria and opened a shop in your country to help your country and help you. The best you could have done is to learn from these Nigerians on how to acquire some entrepreneurial skills,” he said.
While backing calls for a stronger response to the attacks, Onyema rejected any form of violence against South Africans or businesses operating in Nigeria.
“I support (Edo Senator) Adams Oshiomhole, who says that we should retaliate. But the kind of retaliation I want is what we are doing. Let us do non-violence retaliation. I don’t want Nigerians to go to the street and attack any South Africans,” he said.
He also opposed shutting down South African-owned companies in Nigeria, noting that such firms employ Nigerians and have local investors.
“I don’t want Nigeria to close down MTN or other people’s businesses. Some Nigerians have shares in those companies. After all, those people are employing Nigerians too,” he added.
