Air Peace founder and CEO Allen Onyema has called on Nigerians to stay away from South Africa and stop investing there until xenophobic attacks on Nigerians stop.
Speaking Monday on ARISE News’ Newsday programme, Onyema backed consequences for the violence but rejected violent protests or attacks on South African firms in Nigeria. “I totally agree that there should be a stop to foolishness,” he stated.
He accused South African authorities of failing to protect foreigners during outbreaks of violence. “Every time they do this, and they get the support of their government, I don’t understand how all of a sudden South Africa lacks police force, lacks the military, lacks every security agency that could have stopped these people,” Onyema said.
The aviation executive condemned reports of foreigners being dragged from their homes and asked for documents. “How do you explain where people would march into somebody’s house, bring you out, question you, can I see your papers? You’re a foreigner, you have to go back home,” he said.
Onyema stressed that Nigerians in South Africa add value through business and job creation. “What have they done? The shops they are running, what kind of employment did you provide for him to run a shop? 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 and acquire some entrepreneurial skills.”
While supporting former minister Adams Oshiomhole’s call for Nigeria to respond, Onyema insisted the response must be economic and non-violent. “Let us do non violent retaliation. I don’t want Nigerians to go to the street and attack any South Africans. Nigerians are not like that. We love foreigners. That’s not the kind of retaliation I want.”
He also opposed shutting down South African-owned companies like MTN in Nigeria. “I don’t want Nigeria to close down MTN or other companies. Don’t Nigerians have shares in those companies? After all, those people are Nigerians too. I don’t want that.”
Onyema urged a boycott as the strongest pushback. “The kind of retaliation I want is for Nigerians to boycott South Africa. Do you know what it means? 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 determine how they take the money back. That is non violence action.”