Air Peace Chairman and CEO Allen Onyema has urged Nigerians to embrace a nonviolent economic boycott of South Africa in reaction to persistent xenophobic violence against African migrants, particularly Nigerians.
In an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday, Onyema advised South African companies to invest in Nigeria on preferential terms set by the Nigerian government while urging Nigerians to avoid doing so.
He believed that economic sanctions would send a more powerful message than violent retaliation.
“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-violent action,” he said.
Onyema also accused South African authorities of failing to provide adequate protection for foreign nationals during periods of unrest, noting that repeated attacks on migrants have continued to raise concerns across the continent.
“I totally agree that there should be a stop to foolishness. Every time they do this, they get the support of their government. I don’t understand how, all of a sudden, South Africa lacked a police force, lacked the military, lacked every security agency that could have stopped these people.
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“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.
The airline boss argued that many Nigerians living in South Africa contribute positively to the country’s economy by establishing businesses and creating employment opportunities.
“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,” Onyema said.
While backing calls for stronger diplomatic measures, he rejected violent reprisals against South Africans or South African-owned businesses operating in Nigeria.
“I support Adams Oshiomhole, who says that we should retaliate. But the kind of retaliation I want is what we are doing. Let us do non-violent retaliation. I don’t want Nigerians to go to the streets and attack any South Africans,” he stated.
Onyema also opposed shutting down South African companies operating in Nigeria, citing their contribution to employment and investment.
“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 added.
His remarks come amid renewed anti-foreigner protests in South Africa, where demonstrators have reportedly demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30, prompting repatriation efforts by Nigeria and other affected nations.
