The Senior Pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ Gospel Church, Pastor Adewale Giwa, has attributed the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa to ineptitude of Nigerian political leaders to fix the country.
Giwa, who lamented that the nation’s leaders had failed in all ramifications since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to personally meet with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa with a view to finding a lasting solution to ‘anti-foreigner violence’ on Nigerians.
In a statement signed and forwarded to DAILY POST on Wednesday, the cleric urged Nigerians in South Africa to stay in prayer and direct their thoughts toward God in every situation.
He said,” The past and present political leaders have failed us; they have sold us to foreigners because of ‘lack of skill or ability’ to cater for the needs of their citizens.
“Sincerely, I see no reason why our people should be seeking for greener pastures in foreign countries. If our leaders had deemed it necessary to tackle the nation’s challenges since 1999.
“How many South African citizens are working and living in Nigeria the way our people occupy their country?
“Ghanaians were once into shoe making business on the streets of Nigeria in those days, and I can’t remember the last time I saw them on the streets doing the business.
“These people went back to their country after the then president Shehu Shagari issued an executive order to immigrants without proper immigration documents to leave Nigeria, and this development motivated their political leaders to make Ghana a better place.
“Incidentally, in 1969, Ghana also expelled Nigerians from its country. Presently, the number of Nigerians living in Ghana is higher than the Ghanaians living in Nigeria.
“Ghana’s economy has been strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels. Why is it difficult for Nigerian political leaders to make Nigeria a better country to live?
“On the renewed xenophobia in South Africa, I call on President Buhari to personally meet with their president to solve the problem. This is getting out of hand and sending delegates to the country cannot solve it.”
