Nigerians
living in Guangzhou, China have lamented discrimination meted to them over
activities of some of their compatriots involved in illegal drug business.
Speaking at
the launch of “Say no to Drugs” campaign, organized by the Association of
Nigeria Community in China, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, Chief Executive officer, Blue
Diamond Logistics, said negative tendencies of some Nigerians have created
suspicion, which has adversely affected other Nigerians doing genuine business
in the Asian country.
He lamented
that many Nigerian youths are in jail in China over drug offenses and other
related crimes. Mbisiogu noted that Guangzhou records daily cash return of over
$5 million on business transactions, with Nigerians contributing 80 per cent of
its Small Medium Enterprise (SME).
He cited a
poll conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which showed that
China exerts positive influence on the social and economic development in
Nigeria, thereby making Nigerians pro-Chinese.
“We cannot truly
say that the consummate benefits of this relationship are rubbing off on all of
us. Rather, we are denied some privileges, which ordinarily should come with
our residing in this country,” he said.
On the
privileges Nigerians have lost because of lawlessness, Mbisiogu said:
“Nigerians are no longer given resident permit as well as visa extension.
Even Nigerian
citizens studying in China cannot secure resident permit and are not allowed to
work, unlike citizens of other countries.”
According to
him, married Nigerians are worse hit because they are not given permit to live
with their families. He called for attitudinal change on the part of Nigerians.
The
businessman said drug trafficking and other vices undermine state authority and
rule of law, insisting that the act fuels corruption with its negative effects
on the economy, which, in turn, have ruined a lot of Chinese citizens.
He urged
Nigerians and Africans to rise against drug trafficking as it undermines
development as well as erodes social and human capital. He said: “This is time
to say no to drug because of its ugly impact, which include, victimisation,
discrimination, image problem as well as crime.”
He, also,
recalled Nigerians were favoured above other Africans, as partners, by the
Chinese in business and mutual relationship, lamenting that these privileges
have been lost due to unlawful behaviors.
According to
him, proceeds from drugs have ruined many homes.
“What does it
profit you to continue to plot your own ruin, all in the name of drug trafficking?’
he queried.
He called on
the Nigerian Consulate and Nigerian Union to close ranks and ensure they check
the excesses of a few unscrupulous elements whose activities are preventing
honest citizens from reaping the benefit of Nigeria-China corporation.
Also speaking
at the event, the leader of Nigeria Community in Guangzhou, Mr. Emmanuel
Ojukwu, said they cannot fold their hands and watch a good number of Nigerians
in Asia go to their early graves for violating the laws of their host nations.
He enlightened
the audience on the need to be good ambassadors, insisting that it was time
Nigerians understood the negative effects of crime and drug peddling.
Ojukwu advised
intending immigrants to shun criminality, as the Nigerian Union has programmes
that would help integrate Nigerian youths into the Chinese labour force through
skill acquisition and career training.
He said: “The
reason for this “Say no to drugs” campaign is to curb youth aggression and
restiveness in the African community in Guangzhou as well as strengthen the
bilateral relations between the two countries.”
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