Against the background of reports that 500,000 Nigerians are classified as undocumented citizens in South Africa, the scheduled meeting of President Bola Tinubu with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa next month, should be an opportunity for both leaders to discuss, prominently, the plight of Nigerians sojourning in South Africa.
By assuming that status unwittingly or otherwise, Nigerians concerned certainly put themselves in a precarious position; but the country has a duty to provide cover, particularly through international diplomacy, to all her citizens in times of need, wherever they may be.
The tragic fate of undocumented Nigerians living in South Africa elicits humanitarian empathy as much as it beckons the Nigerian government, the private sector, voluntary organisations, non-governmental organisations , churches, mosques, and others to immediately rise up and erect a formidable framework of solidarity geared towards assisting her citizens stranded in South Africa.
Besides, the presence of a large population of undocumented Nigerians in South Africa make them vulnerable to possible victimisation by South African law enforcement agents who may hold Nigerians living in South Africa responsible for some crimes committed by other nationals in that country. Criminals in South Africa may exploit the anonymity that comes with undocumented status to engage in illegal activities.
Therefore, Tinubu should try to reach a cordial understanding with Ramaphosa on the issue of undocumented Nigerians in South Africa and denial of visas to Nigerian visa applicants by the South African Embassy. The two leaders should also reach an agreement on simplifying and expediting the immigration processes of the two countries, making it easier for individuals to obtain appropriate visas and permits.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has warned Nigerians against the misuse of social media. Omotoso in his call for caution on the use of social media by Nigerians, noted that, like every human creation, innovation has its inherent dangers that could be toxic. He made the call in his address…
The managing director of the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Femi Olaleye, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday for raping his wife’s niece.
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