SOUTH AFRICA'S XENOPHOBIA AND NIGERIA'S DOUBLE STANDARDS
In reflecting on intolerance and
its consequences, Ugoji Egbujo discusses the horrors arising from religious and
xenophobic crises, using Nigeria and South Africa as primary examples. Faced
with religious divides, Nigeria witnesses harrowing acts where the supposedly
devout commit atrocities. Simultaneously, fueled by xenophobic sentiments,
South Africa targets fellow Africans, leaving the world perplexed, given the
nation's history of relying on African brotherhood during apartheid. South
Africans justify their aggression by accusing foreign nationals of exacerbating
crime and stealing local jobs, yet their actions predominantly target Black
Africans. The author points out the irony: African countries, including
Nigeria, sacrificed significantly to fight against South Africa's apartheid,
yet today's South African leaders seem apathetic towards the xenophobic
attacks.
In Nigeria, leaders, including
the Oba of Lagos, contribute to tensions by making divisive statements, further
polarizing communities. Regrettably, such figures face no substantial
consequences for their actions, setting a dangerous precedent. The Nigerian
response to South African xenophobia contrasts sharply with the local tolerance
for such divisive rhetoric. The author emphasizes that while expressing moral
outrage at events abroad, Nigeria must also introspect and address its own
issues of religious and ethnic intolerance. The message is clear: for peace and
unity to reign, every nation, including Nigeria, must prioritize justice.
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