The BTO FOR PBAT ’27 Support Group has commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as courageous leadership in confronting recurring cases of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa. The group, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Ogbeni Adojutelegan Adesuyi Gideon, said……
The BTO FOR PBAT ’27 Support Group has commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as courageous leadership in confronting recurring cases of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa.
The group, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Ogbeni Adojutelegan Adesuyi Gideon, said the Federal Government’s decision to raise the issue before the African Union demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of Africans across the continent.
The group also praised Vice President Kashim Shettima for presenting Nigeria’s position at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.
According to BTO FOR PBAT ’27, recurring attacks against Africans in South Africa threaten not only affected individuals and communities but also undermine the principles of African unity, solidarity, integration and peaceful coexistence.
It stressed that Africa’s pursuit of economic integration, regional cooperation and shared prosperity could only succeed in an environment where citizens of African countries are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of nationality.
The support group said Nigeria, as one of Africa’s leading nations with a long history of contributing to peace and stability across the continent, must continue to provide leadership on issues affecting the welfare and security of Africans.
It also commended the Federal Government for supporting stronger conflict-prevention mechanisms across Africa, including the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan, which it described as an important framework for strengthening peace, stability and preventive diplomacy.
The group noted that preventing conflicts before they escalate into violence, displacement and humanitarian crises is more sustainable and cost-effective than managing their consequences.
BTO FOR PBAT ’27 said Nigeria’s position underscores the need for African countries to develop stronger mechanisms for addressing tensions, discrimination and threats to peaceful coexistence before they degenerate into wider crises.
The group further reaffirmed its support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, saying it would continue to promote the ideals of peace, unity, security, development and responsible leadership.
It called on African leaders to collectively reject xenophobia, Afrophobia, discrimination and violence against fellow Africans, stressing that the continent’s future depends on unity and mutual respect.
The group added that African citizens should be able to live, work, invest and pursue legitimate opportunities across the continent without fear of discrimination or violence based on nationality.
“Nigeria must continue to lead. Africa must remain united. Xenophobia and Afrophobia have no place in the Africa we seek to build,” the group said.
BTO FOR PBAT ’27 pledged to continue supporting initiatives that promote Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa while encouraging greater cooperation among African nations in peace, security, economic development and human rights.
