The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has resolved to collaborate with its sister organization in South Africa and indeed the regional Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa to ensure the issues of xenophobic attacks are brought to an end.
Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, President of the NIPR said on Thursday in Abuja that the move had become necessary for genuine reconciliation between both countries to take place following the killings of Nigerians and destruction of their properties in South Africa.
He noted that whatever adversely affected Nigeria, ultimately affected Africa, the black race and indeed global peace and stability, considering its enviable position as the largest economy and most populous black nation.
Sirajo regretted that businesses in other African countries with franchise or links to South Africa were increasingly coming under threats as the attacks and responses to them rage on.
According to him, Nigerians on the other hand should allow these efforts of arrests and sanctions run their full course since the government has stepped up efforts in engaging its South African counterpart.
He appealed to South Africa to be more forthcoming in the handling of the issue by getting on top of it, apprehending and meting out appropriate sanctions against those found guilty so that the notion that these acts are not without some tacit support can be put to rest.
He explained that the NIPR appreciates the need for constructive engagement and sensitization of the citizenry to douse the tensed atmosphere.
“We hereby offer the expertise of our members to the Federal Government so as to enrich its efforts towards addressing this challenge and others in a more sustainable manner.
“We are willing to design and deploy the right communication strategies to fast track resolution of this and other issues.
“We shall engage the collaboration of our sister organization in South Africa and indeed the regional Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa to deploy appropriate communication strategies that will reorient both the perpetrators and sympathisers of the victims of xenophobia,” Sirajo said.
MM/GIK/APA