Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has accused the Nigerian government of not implementing deliberate policies aimed at sending what he termed clear and unmistakable messages to its South African counterpart following the renewed Xenophobic attack against its citizens.
Idam insisted that the Nigerian government has not done enough to respond effectively to the recurring xenophobic attacks against its citizens in South Africa.
In a statement he signed, the activist lawyer noted that while diplomacy remains important, it should be complemented by firm, lawful, and well-considered policy measures that protect the interests, dignity, and economic rights of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
According to Idam: “In the wake of the recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, I had expected that, by now, Nigerian institutions would be communicating their response through deliberate state policies and programmes capable of sending a clear and unmistakable message to the South African Government regarding its treatment of Nigerians.
“Painfully, no meaningful institutional response has been witnessed to date, apart from the routine debates on the floor of the National Assembly, which have produced little or no tangible outcome.
“Meanwhile, South African multinational companies operating in Nigeria continue to reap enormous profits while many Nigerians complain of exploitative business practices.
“Rather than adopting measures to protect Nigerian consumers, the Government has continued to provide an enabling environment for these companies to thrive.
“A government genuinely committed to protecting its citizens could have considered lawful policy responses, including targeted fiscal measures, stricter regulatory oversight, or other legitimate economic reforms designed to ensure that foreign companies operating in Nigeria are made to suffer the consequences of the actions against Nigerians in their home land.
“Even more disheartening is the fact that my suit against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, which was concluded several months ago and in which judgment was reserved, remains undelivered because the court has been occupied with pre-election-related cases.
“I had hoped that the judgment would be delivered promptly, particularly because the case raises important questions concerning consumer protection and the alleged exploitative trade practices of a South African-owned enterprise operating in Nigeria.
“A timely decision would have demonstrated that Nigerian institutions remain capable of protecting consumers through the rule of law.
“Nigeria has not done enough to respond effectively to the recurring xenophobic attacks against its citizens in South Africa.
“While diplomacy remains important, it should be complemented by firm, lawful, and well-considered policy measures that protect the interests, dignity, and economic rights of Nigerians both at home and abroad.”
Xenophobia: Nigerian govt not doing enough to protect citizens in South African – Idam