PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday assured Nigerians living in South Africa that steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of xenophobic attacks against them.
Regardless of reported deaths, many Nigerians have lost their property and means of livelihood to the xenophobic attacks recently in South Africa.
Buhari, during a town hall meeting with Nigeria in South Africa, noting that the South African government have expressed their apologies and decided to take the necessary steps to put an end to a bad trend.
He said: "The actions of this recent xenophobic attacks on our colleagues in South Africa and Africa to my surprise, Nigeria and indeed Africa. It was embarrassing to the continent.
"Let me again use this medium to console family of all those who lost their lives over the years in the tragic incident. May the souls of them rest in peace.
"I sympathize with all those who were injured. May God heal their wounds. My sympathy also with those who have lost properties.
"As a government, we are quite disturbed by this very unfortunate event and have taken measures and steps to address this issue and prevent the recurrence of the South African government.
"I had previously directed the evacuation of Nigerians who do not feel safe to stay here.
More than five hundred have returned home and are being returned to their communities.
"At this moment, I would like to thank my deep for Allen Chief Onyeama Chairman Airpeace Airlines, which shows affection and patriotism immediately offered to evacuate Nigerian brothers and sisters who have been affected by xenophobic attacks.
"During my visit here, we have discussed the attacks on foreigners and Nigeria. Authorities have offered their apologies for the incident and have decided to take the necessary steps to end this bad trend for the sake of our relationship. "
According to him, the two countries have just inaugurated the Bi-National Commission of Nigeria / South Africa at the level of Head of State "with a strong determination to further bring the two countries together in a mutually beneficial partnership.
"Therefore let us give you peace a chance and pray we have seen the last of this ugly violence."
Buhari also called on all Nigerians to be law-abiding and respectful of the authorities while they were living in South Africa.
"Maybe I also ordered some of which occasionally gives us a bad name for a stop of the minor criminal and being good ambassadors us," he said
He told the gathering that he always had three of his messages to all Nigerian in diaspora.
He said: "First you our Ambassadors and our country face to the world wherever you are. world because watching you and will make an assessment of Nigeria based comportment and action.
"Secondly, in any legitimate involvement you find yourself, you have to strive to excel and be the best.
"Third, while you are out in the Diaspora, do not forget home. You represent some of the best human asset that Nigeria has. With education and exposure to the world, you are at the cutting edge of technology. I, therefore, urge you to use your resources, skills and talents to help the development of Nigeria. "
Buhari said that the government establish a special agency, Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, to guide them in the actualization of their willing contributions to the development of Nigeria.
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