The Nigerian Senate says it has taken note of a viral video depicting Ghanaians protesting and demanding the deportation of Nigerians over alleged unruly behavior.
It condemned the widespread indignation against Nigerians, dismissing the blanket branding of them as criminals as “unacceptable.”
The Senate described Nigerians as hardworking people and not criminals as purported, and are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.
The Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations plays a crucial role in promoting the welfare and interests of Nigerians living abroad.
The Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bassey Aniekan and Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro stated that they are committed to protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerians worldwide.
While acknowledging the possibility of a few bad eggs, they emphasized that the vast majority of Nigerians residing in Ghana are peaceful and law-abiding people.
According to them, Ghana and Nigeria are brothers and in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration the two nations will continue to live in peace.
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“The relationship between the two countries is built on a foundation of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation, and we believe that this incident should not be allowed to undermine the progress that has been made” they said.
They urged Nigerians in Ghana to remain calm, avoid provocations, and resist reprisals as the matter is being addressed at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
“We believe that diplomacy is the best way to resolve this issue and prevent further escalation. We caution against inflammatory remarks from both sides, warning that such utterances could escalate tensions and make it more difficult to find a peaceful resolution. We urge all parties involved to exercise restraint and to work towards a peaceful resolution of this matter” they urged.
The Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs will continue to monitor the situation and work with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians in Ghana.
The Senate commended the efforts of both the Ghanaian and Nigerian High Commissioners, as well as the proactive steps taken by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in working to de-escalate the situation.
