Xenophobia: NANS rejects cultural exchange with S’African youths

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected a proposed cultural exchange programme between Nigerian and South African youths.

The programme is aimed to quell the heightening tension due to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and to promote unity between the two countries.

Danielson Akpan, NANS president, spoke on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with Bobby Moroe, acting high commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, in Abuja.

He said that the proposed exchange programme by the South African high commission and the federal government for youths and students’ body would not work on account of the prevailing situation in South Africa.

He also stated that the attacks by South Africans on Nigerians and other nationals were unjustifiable and called for concerted efforts by both governments to tackle the situation.

”We do not need the proposed exchange programme; how do you carry out exchange programme in a place where you are not safe? Our members, who are schooling in South Africa, have been calling us that they want to come back home,” he said.

“We have Multichoice, MTN, Shoprite and other South African companies numbering over 180 of them and we have not attacked any. Nigerians are also angry and we are humans, we cannot continue to keep quiet and watch our people being killed, why are they not allowing Nigerians to take laws into their hands?

“This has to stop; the proposed exchange programme by the South African High Commission and the federal government of Nigeria for youths and students body has failed.”

Moroe had earlier promised that the South African government would partner with Nigeria to implement the programme with youths while students leaders travel to South Africa to dialogue with their counterparts as a way forward to the present situation.