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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigerian Youth Union (NYU) has charged the Federal Government to adopt more proactive strategies to protect Nigerians abroad, especially during unforeseen emergencies.
NYU decried the sluggish response of the federal government to the safety of Nigerians in Ukraine, especially students after Russia invaded the European country last week.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Monday, the National President of NYU, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, lamented that Nigerians were subjected to various acts of social abuse, degradation and molestation at the Ukarain borders due to the nonchalant attitude of the government.
Obasi, who is a former National President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), expressed dismay that the Federal Government dithered in evacuating Nigerians from the troubled country despite early warning signals.
“There was early intelligence that Russia would invade Ukraine in a question of days. Governments of other countries mobilized resources and reached out to their nationals in the country, But, Nigeria developed indifference.
“We have seen this show of unconcern on many occasions. When the xenophobic attacks broke out in South Africa, the Federal Government did not deem it fit to rise for the protection of its citizens until a private citizen, Chief Allen Onyema, volunteered to evacuate them.
“We at the NYU condemn this penchant the Federal Government is known for abandoning Nigerians abroad to their fate without regards to the protection and preservation of their interests in foreign countries. This attitude does not enhance patriotism nor uplift the image of the country in the comity of nations,” Obasi stated.
NYU, however, commended Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, for ensuring that Sokoto indigenes in Ukraine were airlifted early enough when signs of impending hostilities between Russia and Ukraine emerged.
While noting the impact of diaspora remittances on Nigeria’s economy, the Nigeria Youth Union said it does not make sense that the government would demonstrate similar apathy to citizens’ welfare towards Nigerians abroad, stressing that it is not only distressing, but also demoralizing.
NYU added: “It is possible that this lackadaisical attitude of government prompted the refusal of Nigerian citizens in Ukraine to elect to stay back in Ukraine or be taken to other countries instead of being brought back to Nigeria.
“Nothing could be more damaging to the nation’s reputation in the international community than citizens thumbing their country and government for lack of empathy and duty of care.”
