Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has called on Nigerians to support Mexico in its opening World Cup match against South Africa, citing concerns over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the Southern African nation.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Abati referred to ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to evacuate Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa.
He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had concluded arrangements to repatriate Nigerians who registered for evacuation, with the first batch of 278 returnees expected back in the country.
“The spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs has said that all the arrangements have been made for those Nigerians who have signed up to be brought back to their country from South Africa because of the xenophobic attack. First batch, 278 of them will be assisted, will taken care of, rehabilitated by the Nigerian government,” Abati said.
He added that the government had promised to facilitate the return of five batches of Nigerians.
“We have been promised five batches. We hope that all the five batches over 1000 Nigerians saying that they will come back to their country. There should be a moral story there that if our country is properly organised, then nobody will need to go and seek electricity supply and water supply and good health care in other countries of the world,” he stated.
Abati said the situation highlighted the need for better living conditions and public services in Nigeria to discourage citizens from seeking opportunities abroad.
Turning to football, he urged Nigerians to support Mexico in the World Cup opener against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
“However, today South Africa and Mexico will be playing the first match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. I urge all Nigerians to support Mexico so that we don’t even have a situation whereby South Africans will say ‘these Nigerians have come again. They are doing their job for them,’ and there will be another wave of xenophobic attacks,” he said.
“I think we will be safer to support Mexico in this opening match of the World Cup. The match is at 1pm Mexico local time, which is at 7pm this evening, and I expect Nigerians to support Mexico.
“They say we don’t like them. They say we are doing their job. Let us not do their job for them. We will support Mexico.”
