Good governance at home will stop this exodus from home abroad - Prof. Chris Isike tells FG delegation to S'Africa

A South Africa-based Nigerian don, Prof. Chris Isike, on Thursday urged the Senate delegation to South Africa to help promote  good governance  to discourage  Nigerians from travelling abroad.

Isike, a professor of African politics at the  University of Zululand, Kwazulu Natal Province, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone from Mpangeni, South Africa,  that good governance would encourage Nigerians to earn a living in their own country.

The senate delegation’s  proposed visit  to South Africa is coming on the heels of the recent xenophobic  attacks against Nigerians and other nationals in that country.

Isike  said sending the  Sen. Ike Ekweremadu`s led delegation to that country was in order as  it would give Nigerians  a sense of belonging.

“ The delegation must assure Nigerians here in South Africa  that when it  gets  back home, it will strive to promote good governance.

“ A lot of people have left the country because they are tired of  bad governance and corruption.

“  Many Nigerians have no business being here. But when they return home, they should see democracy at work with its attendant benefits,” he said.

Isike, who is also the Chairman of Mpangeni Ward chapter of Nigeria Union, said that with improved electricity supply, small businesses would grow.

“ This development, I assure you will make many Nigerians return and start small businesses,” he said.

The don urged the delegation to ensure that  the South African government acknowledged  that a  larger percentage of Nigerians in that country were doing well and contributing positively to the economy.

He said  this  was important in order  to correct the impression being created in the media that Nigerians were largely involved in crime.

Isike also said the delegation must  give Nigerians in South Africa  an assurance of government`s backing and protection. - (NAN)