PMB to Nigerians in S’Africa: Respect yourselves

President Muhammadu Buhari wants Nigerians in South Africa to conduct themselves with “self-respect and restraint” because they are ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they are.

Buhari made the pledge on Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa, when he met Nigerians resident in South Africa.

He said Nigerian and South African leaders will soon meet to discuss several issues bordering on their relationship, including the recent xenophobic attacks, which also affected a couple of Nigerians.

“Those of you who have the opportunity to come here and represent us, make sure that you are representing Nigeria, you are all ambassadors of Nigeria,” he said.

“This means a lot of patience, restraint and self-respect and pride. You must have all these.”

Uche Ajulu-Okeke, consul-general of Nigeria in South Africa, said shops and other property worth millions of Rand belonging to Nigerians were lost during the recent attacks.

She also said 143 Nigerians were killed in South Africa between 2011 and 2014, while another 81 were in Johannesburg prison.

‘’ Out of this 81 Nigerians, 21 have been convicted,’’ she said.

Ikechukwu Anyene, president of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, congratulated the president on his election and inauguration, saying: “Your victory is victory over poverty, hunger and signals hope for the common man.”

He urged the president to facilitate compensation for Nigerians affected by the violence.

Responding, Buhari said the country would not only hold discussions on the welfare of Nigerians abroad, but it would also implement cardinal policies to move the country forward. He said his government was determined to secure the country, improve the economy and eliminate corruption.

“Government is determined to secure the country, manage the economy, create employment and fight corruption,” he said. “Some articulate writers have said if we do not kill corruption in Nigeria, corruption will kill Nigeria. This APC administration intends to kill corruption in Nigeria. We will do our best, I assure you.”

The president said the G7 leaders had expressed commitment to helping Nigeria tackle insecurity, as well as develop its oil and gas sectors.

“We are getting the facts and logistics requirements together,” he said, adding that leaders of the Lake Chad Basin Commission had set up a military command headquarters in Chad with a Nigerian general heading it.