L-R: GOV. PETER OBI OF ANAMBRA, CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON AVIATION, SEN HOPE UZODIMMA, NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSIONER IN KENYA, AMB. AKIN OYATERU, PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN & FIRST LADY, DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN DURING A MEETING WITH THE NIGERIAN COMMUNITY IN KENYA. SEPTEMBER 06, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO, September 06, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday assured Nigerians living in Kenya that they would no longer be harassed or intimidated by security operatives of the East African country.
Jonathan, who gave the assurance during a meeting with the Nigerian community in Kenya, promised to stop the intimidation, harassment, discrimination and extortion of Nigerians by Kenyan security operatives.
He maintained that the spate of illegal deportation and maltreatment of Nigerians by Kenyan authority would no longer be tolerated, saying his administration was aware of the development as he disclosed that it was one of the major issues to be addressed during his visit.
“We are aware that there were issues and that is why we are here to see how we can work with the government of Kenya to solve the issues raised.
“The Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, is here because we want to sign a bilateral agreement and Memorandum of Understanding on this between Kenya and Nigeria which the two Presidents will preside over.
“We have a number of issues and many complaints came to us. I remember when my wife was to come here for a programme, there were issues.
“Some Nigerians were just sent back home without passing through the normal procedure which almost created a diplomatic row between Nigeria and Kenya.
“But I said that Nigeria will not have to engage in unnecessary diplomatic row with any African country but to manage the situation because we have Nigerians everywhere.
“It is better we manage the development to the benefit of the two countries than going into unnecessary diplomatic issues.
“Of course, the President is my good friend and I believe myself and the President of Kenya will be able to solve all the problems,’’ he said.
Corroborating what the President said, Minister for Interior, Moro, said one of the agreements to be signed by both Presidents is on “humane treatment of nationals of both countries.”
According to Moro,“In every country, there must be people who are to enforce the laws of the land, but we expect that as friendly countries and based on cordial relations, people must be treated with some level of dignity “And that is part of the bilateral agreement which we will be able to iron out and sign with the government of Kenya. “We believe that with the signing of the agreement, the constant harassment of Nigerians, especially honest Nigerians that are doing legitimate business in Kenya will no longer occur.’’
The Nigerian High Commissioner to Kenya, Mr. Akin Oyateru, in his welcome remarks, had told President Jonathan that the intimidation of Nigerians is one of the major challenges faced by the mission.
“Mr President, Kenya is a beautiful and lovely country with a very good climatic condition.
“Many Nigerians have made here their homes as a result of work and business enterprises,” he also said.
Bishop Paul Nnamdi of International Faith Ministry,who read an address on behalf of the Nigerian community, said Nigerians were being stigmatised by the Kenyan authourities.
“A Nigerian walking or driving is a Police target. Even when you provide all the documents requested, a rigorous profiling must start until something in their own opinion worthy of some sort of intimidation and terms for settlement is discovered,” he said.
The session was attended by the First Lady, Dame Patience, Anambra Governor, Peter Obi and Sen. Hope Uzodinma and Business Mogul, Aliko Dangote.
Also present at the meeting were Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru; Trade and Investments, Dr Olusegun Aganga; Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke as well as the Culture and Tourism Minister, Edem Duke.
