Africa plans joint response to maltreatment of citizens in China

Nigeria  has started  discussion with other  African countries on the  definitive steps   to be taken on the maltreatment of  their citizens  in China.
It is also to commence the airlifting of stranded Nigerians  next month, with those  in the United Arab Emirates being the first.
Over 2,000 Nigerians, are stranded across the globe following the lockdown occasioned by  the Coronavirus pandemic.
Foreign Affairs  Minister  Geoffrey Onyeama  made this known during the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on Coronavirus in Abuja on Thursday.
Onyeama, who was fielding questions from  reporters at the event, added that Nigeria had “drawn a red line” for the Chinese authorities on the maltreatment of its citizens and entire black race.
Onyeama   said government  was  ready to follow up the maltreatment of Nigerians in China  to its logical conclusion since it had resolved   not  to  compromise the dignity of its citizens  and all people of black colour  on the alter of economic cooperation with China.
His words: “We have been engaging with the Chinese government at various levels. At the level f our consulate in Guangzhou, which is where  cases of discrimination and racism have been taking  place and also the Central level in Beijing without our ambassador.
We have made it clear to the Chinese government in no uncertain terms, unequivocally that under no circumstance will we accept a racial discrimination against Nigerians or indeed Africans or blacks in China. That is a red line for us.
“They have in turn told us that there  is no case of that but clearly we have seen a video, I have received reports and we told them that it is unacceptable and we are also engaging with other African countries to decide and work together, definitive steps and measures that we will take because of this situation.
”In addition, I have directed our consulate in Guangzhou to systematically detail every single case of dIscrimination and every single case of loss or damage suffered by any Nigerian. We will pursue each and every single one very robustly with the Chinese government. If it requires compensation and damages, etc, we will demand for them.
“ So, for us,  it is a red line and we are going to fight it to the very end. We are extremely disappointed because we have excellent relations with government and people of China. We are therefore surprised  that such a thing can happen at this stage.
“When there were calls for travels to China to  be banned  when they had the outbreak in Wuhan, we went along with the World Health Organisation (WHO)  advice not to place a ban on China.
“We showed real solidarity because we also had our own experience of epidemics with Ebola and so forth .” We are deeply wounded by what has happened to Nigerians and other Africans in China and of course the government has given us explanations.
”But  it is something we never expected and we will pursue to its final conclusion and we would not make any compromises in doing so.”
He stated  that the government was aware of some comments  that it  was not boldly handling the maltreatment of Nigerians in China because of “a lot of economic cooperation  from China.”
The minister added: ”I can assure you that  we are going to pursue to the very end, irrespective of whatever economic cooperation that we have with China, this matter  because in the world of today, we absolutely   can’t tolerate and accept any form  of racism or discrimination against blacks  as the largest black country in the world.
”It  behaves on us to be in the front line in defending the dignity  of blacks and Africans everywhere in the world.”
On the planned evacuation of the over 2,000 stranded Nigerians abroad, he said that it might take up to another two weeks.
Onyeama  however said that with the gesture from Emirate Airlines, stranded Nigerians in United Arab Emirate (UAE) will be the first set to be airlifted back to the country.
The minister also denied the report that the government demanded for £350 each from the would -be returnees from United Kingdom.
He said, “In respect of someone in United Kingdom (UK) who paid £350 two weeks ago, with the hope of been evacuated from United Kingdom,  I have this to say. First of all, when we made  the announcement that we were trying to assess first of all how many Nigerians in various countries that wanted to come home, we pointed out that all communication should be with the High Commission and in no time did the High Commission or did any directive emanate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Nigerians should be  tested.”
”So, where the £350 for test came from I really don’t know but it’s certain it is not from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor from our various embassies and High Commissions. ”
Also at the briefing, the  Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed , said that a petrol attendant in Aba, Abia State was killed by a  motorist and not police as claimed.