Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has urged Nigerians to support Mexico in its opening World Cup match against South Africa, citing ongoing concerns over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in the Southern African country.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Abati referenced efforts by the Federal Government to evacuate Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa.
According to him, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced that arrangements had been concluded to bring back Nigerians who registered for evacuation, with an initial batch of 278 persons expected to return home.
Abati said the government had indicated that five batches of returnees would be assisted and rehabilitated, adding that more than 1,000 Nigerians had expressed willingness to return.
He argued that the situation underscored the need for improved living conditions in Nigeria, stating that citizens would be less inclined to seek opportunities abroad if essential services such as electricity, water supply and healthcare were adequately provided at home.
Turning to football, Abati said Nigerians should back Mexico in its World Cup opener against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
He jokingly suggested that supporting South Africa could invite further accusations that Nigerians were taking over opportunities meant for South Africans.
Abati said: “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 be taken care of, rehabilitated by the Nigerian government.
“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.
“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.
“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.”