Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State could not hold
back harsh words for South Africans while paying tribute to Mandela on Monday.
The governor had wondered why in spite of the huge sacrifice made by Nigeria to
free South Africa from the claws of imperialists, Nigerians are being subjected
to ridicule by South Africans.
According to the governor, “Nigeria
paid a huge price for what South Africa has become today. I remember the
anti-apartheid campaign was at the core of Nigerian foreign policy.” He then
wondered why the British, who supported apartheid, could enter the country
without any hassle while Nigerians needed a visa.
He added, “When you look at the part
of the world where ovation is now the loudest, it was the part from where the
pain was the most vicious. In a very cruel irony, history is being revised.
“The people, who collaborated with
the government that enthroned apartheid at that time, are the people that are
paying the biggest tribute now.”
The contribution of Nigerians to
freeing both South Africa and Mandela was monumental. The commitment of
Nigerians to put an end to apartheid in South Africa was so intense that the
country was considered a leader of the Frontline States established to achieve
democratic majority rule in South Africa. The group raised funds and soldiers
to prosecute war against apartheid. Other members included Angola, Botswana,
Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria played a vital role in the
establishment of the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid
(UNSCAA). This was partly responsible for Nigeria occupying the chair of the
committee more than any other country until it was scrapped.
Nigeria also established the Southern
African Relief Fund (SARF), which was funded with deductions from the salary of
every Nigerian worker, irrespective of rank, both in the public and private
sectors as well as donations from ordinary Nigerians, including students.
The fund was disbursed by African
National Congress (ANC) leaders and members as they saw fit.
Nigeria also provided scholarships
for students from South Africa while South African freedom fighters whose
passports were seized by the government were given Nigerian passports. Whenever
South Africans protested against injustice, Nigerian students also took to the
streets in support and solidarity. Nigerian musicians waxed albums in support
of the anti-apartheid struggle, while Nigerian poets wrote poems to condemn
racism in South Africa.
Nigeria never let go of any
opportunity to denounce apartheid; Commonwealth Games were boycotted while the
assets of British Petroleum (BP) were nationalised. Nigeria was a friend to
those who opposed apartheid and an enemy to friends of the racists.
Tags
Politics
Governor Fashola, you are correct. But I can only find an answer to your question in the Bible. Its say we should pray so that the first will not become the last. Sunny Okosun got broked simply because he deviated from singing his love song, he dedicated all his music to Apartheid (South African and Mandela) All he got in return was an hand shake from Mandela. I don't know if Majec got up to that.
ReplyDeleteIts not South African's fault, Nigerians have missed the target. We are no more the leader we used to be. May God helped us.
S.O.R.
Hahahaha! See U Fashola like say u don't know what is happening. The world knew the level of our corruption, injustice and lack of focus. This is just the begining.
ReplyDelete@8:am,u'r correct but at least they would've showed us a little appreciation..Too bad.Is there any perfect country in the world without a corruption?Though Nigeria is on the high side sha.
ReplyDeleteThere is notin SA can give us if not dat our leaders are bad wat is in SA even their own people don't ve jobs we are stiil far better than them I pity nigerians dat goes there is there europe
DeleteFashola u said it all
ReplyDeleteI am not moved by this article, rather I am infuriated. We were also suffering our own apatheid in the hands of the military.
ReplyDeleteI can't forget June 12 , ken saro wiwa, currupt leaders, oppression of people in Nigeria, Boko haram, internet frauds etc that characterised us.
So we had time to rally behind S.A at the expense of our own freedom and sanity? Lol
Eye service has its rewards
Much as I love Fashola he should save his self righteous indignation for the corrupt ruling class in Nigeria.He should be infuriated that our children roam the streets petty trading,hawking and begging.He should go ballistics when he hears about NNPC's unaccounted billions .He should be galled and gutted that our tertiary institutions have been shutdown for 6 months.He should be peeved at the corrupt federal and state civil services.He should direct his chagrin at the incompetency of our ill equipped security agencies and their lack of professionalism.He can spit bile at the inept and inadequate power situation that has kept our economy comatose for 3 decades and counting.All this will be taken in good faith.But this,no...i am not feeling it one bit.
ReplyDeleteWho wants to associate with failure? The rich dine with the rich, the poor hobnob with the poor. Success shuns failure. Nobody is happy with Nigeria in her present shape and governance. Nigeria's corruption and failure image is responsible for her relegation.
ReplyDeleteFashola , are you furious? What of those igbos you deported, dumped under bridge in one state while they are from almost 6states? What the Okada you banned, collcting and burning? Please they see us in nigria as people who have no future.
ReplyDeleteGoat pls don't say fashola dumped some igbo. I have report on d correct story. Obi said he deported them so that he can play politics with the APC candidate and fashola contacted Obi but oni did answer. The issue is that the people he deported were causing nuisance in lagos
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha sorry oo baba Fashie, this one is small by they deal with all you thieves, you won't have any mouth to talk with. Abeg go and hide your face in shame joor, you think the world doesn't know you all are thieves. Corrupt ppl,yeye dey smell.
ReplyDeleteBeloveth, our internal issues cannt destroy what Nigeria as nation stand for; loving people that hate oppression, All along South Africa is ingrate nothing but ungrateful nation....d spirit of our heroes shall not forgive...let's us condem their behaviour...
ReplyDeleteTo me, Fashola's Comments weren't bad at all. But come to look at it, Nigerians in S.A do dubious thtings a lot. But to be candid, he should concentrate his anger and seek permanent Resolve on that very thing that made the S.A's dislike us "CORRUPTION". Before you know it, Nigeria will Crash when the Govt can no Longer hold.
ReplyDeleteDo we respect our self?then why do u want respect from south African, ,d world know all about Nigeria,
ReplyDelete