₦airaland Forum

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has urged Nigerians to adopt a non-violent economic boycott of South Africa in response to recurring xenophobic attacks against African migrants, including Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Onyema said Nigerians should stop investing in South Africa while encouraging their businesses to invest in Nigeria under terms determined 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.

The Air Peace boss accused 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.

According to Onyema, many Nigerian migrants contribute positively to the South African economy by establishing businesses and creating jobs.

“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 supporting calls for stronger diplomatic action, Onyema rejected violent retaliation 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 operating in Nigeria.

“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 said.

The Air Peace chairman’s remarks come amid renewed anti-foreigner protests in parts of South Africa, where demonstrators have demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30, prompting repatriation efforts by Nigeria and other affected countries.

EmekaBlue:
SA savvvvages will cost their country alot in the nearest future and i see the whites there enslaving them thereafter

womilojublog:
Shouldn't we also blame those who went to south Africa to incite the people by installing Eze and those whose business is trading in drugs

Do you hear South African how they lament about how Nigerian bring drugs into their country?

I don’t think I should take Allen Onyema seriously because he also did not tell us the source of his wealth.

Was he affected in the recent reaction of south African
Does he have a business or a cartel there ?

Nackzy:
Nigeria is the most timid nation in Africa, just imagine you did this to American citizens.. Donald Trump will ground all South African Assets business in America repertrate their ambassador with immediate effect....
God bless the president of a working nation like America...

The president of Nigeria will cite diplomacy as the reason for not grounding MTN Nigeria and Multi choice,

Sonnobax15:

If to say glo and Airtel dey serious ,this would have been their best time to capitalize on the telecommunication system and take over from MTN cuz many Nigerians will be willing to dish their MTN sim cards if there's a better alternative.

bigpicture001:
I have always disagreed.wity this anti Eze thing...ppl who criticize this Eze thing do not live in cosmopolitan cities ..


I was born and bread in Lagos...besides my house is a big northerner called seriki, in his house which is even rented I where all those northern guyz guy for wallah, he sends Salah meat all over the streets..an all issue involving the northers in that area are reported to him and settled in perfect peace.

Even the police admitted that his position help them sorry out issues with northern more easily than if they dnt have a leader...


So why then does the Igbo leaders of ONLY the Igbos in that area now a big deal?


It is sheer dislike for igbos and hatred for them...come.to Awka,, Anambra state...Yorubas have a Yoruba leader ND no one is fighting them for it

tiswell:
Good counsel by Allen Onyema.

IGBOs precisely should stop investing in SA and think home.

AareGaa:
Having shops along the roads is what you call investments?
Go to South Africa and see industries everywhere.
That country is better than most European countries

.
Tell Allen Onyeama to go to USA. where he has been declared wanted.

womilojublog:
Shouldn't we also blame those who went to south Africa to incite the people by installing Eze and those whose business is trading in drugs

Do you hear South African how they lament about how Nigerian bring drugs into their country?

I don’t think I should take Allen Onyema seriously because he also did not tell us the source of his wealth.

Was he affected in the recent reaction of south African
Does he have a business or a cartel there ?

EmekaBlue:
SA savvvvages will cost their country alot in the nearest future and i see the whites there enslaving them thereafter