A retired Nigerian diplomat,
Ambassador Dahiru Suleiman, called on the Nigerian Government to investigate
the claims by the South African women who were protesting alleged stigmatization discrimination, and humiliation by government departments and
agencies and officials of the South African government before making any statement.
He said: “In all the countries I have
served, a lot of Nigerians go ahead with what is known as arrangee marriage just to remain in that
country.
“You also see them making a lot of
money, buying big houses and big cars, and when you ask them what they do, they
will tell you that they are businessmen.
“Many of them are not doing any
legitimate work and they go ahead buying all these things. Let me ask you,
which country do you think will be happy with such people?
“The same thing is applicable in
Kenya. Many Nigerians go ahead to marry old women that they cannot even bring
back to Nigeria. Sometimes when I see them I feel pity for them. In all these countries,
I noticed that Nigerians specialize in this arrangee marriage.
“That is why I am saying that we
should be careful in making statements that we will live to regret tomorrow.”
A former member of House of
Representatives and human rights activist, Mr. Uche Onyeagocha described the
alleged discrimination against South African women married to Nigerians by the
South African government as unfortunate.
He said: “If the story is true, then
it will be most unfortunate. I am sure that the South African Constitution,
which is one of the best constitutions in the world today, will not have any
room for such discrimination.
“I will urge such women to proceed
without hesitation to court to fight against such discrimination.
“It will be wrong for the South
African government to discriminate against its citizens because they are
married to Nigerian men, given Nigeria’s role during the apartheid years.”
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