After the xenophobic saga of the south Africans against Nigeria, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha decides to honour South African President far above friendship level. A statue of the South African President, Jacob Zuma was unveiled today in Owerri, Imo State and awarded the Imo Merit Award, highest award in the state and a street was named afer him in Owerri, to crown it all up, he was accorded a chieftaincy tittle and named the “Ochiagha Di Oha Mma of Igbo land” .
From all indication, this gesture of hospitality does not seem natural as no such gesture has been received from the South Africans towards Nigeria in history and if such is to be done, it has to be from one president to the other not a governor to a president and that is why it all seem shady to Nigerians as the news of President Jacob Zuma’s statue in Imo State hits the social media earlier today.
As much as the gesture diminishes the nations status, it also demeans the South African President’s status due to his entry into another country without a national welcome and recognition. Nigerians have taken to social media to dress the topic and air their opinions. So far, non of the opinions has been positive. The whole charade is a ‘nah’ even from the governor’s eastern counterparts.
Can this mean that the South Africans are read to accommodate Biafra once they leave Nigeria? This dramatic approach could point in any direction.
