UK donates £22m to tackle malnutrition in North-East

United Kingdom is to tackle malnutrition in troubled North-East of Nigeria with £22 million till March 2022, the United Nations Children Fund has revealed.

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday, Sanjay Das, Nutrition Manager, UNICEF said the funding followed the success of initial fund of $10 million which was expended on the treatment of 233,000 malnourished children in the North-East between October 2018 to May 2019.

He said the initial fund of $10 million was released by the United Kingdom through her Department for International Development, the department responsible for administering overseas aid. Das said the fund was spent on nutrition complements and drugs to tackle cases of malnutrition in the region.

Sanjay said that the DFID has released £22 million to comprehensively tackle the problem of malnutrition in the region for three years.

He said under the latest intervention, which spans April 2019 to March 2022, 87,000 persons are targeted.

He said not only malnourished children would be covered under the latest intervention, but their mothers and infrastructure would be put in place to put an end to malnutrition in the region.

He, however, lamented that the earlier intervention was faced with some challenges including insecurity which made project areas inaccessible.

He also noted that the medical team were not able to access some areas in Borno State during the rainy season due to flooding and because some parts of the state have a scattered population, thus making it difficult to bring them together to medical facilities.

A visit by our correspondent on Wednesday to one of the IDPs camp, Bakasi, which houses 39,176 persons showed that 105 new cases were attended to in the last one week.

Ibrahim Shaibu, a Community Management of Acute Malnutrition Provider at the camp said they also attended to patients from the host community.

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APC cross-appeals tribunal judgment on Buhari’s election

The All Progressives Congress has filed a cross-appeal against the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which affirmed the election of its candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Although the eventual judgment of the tribunal was in its favour, the party is by its cross-appeal challenging some aspects of the September 11, 2019, verdict of the tribunal.

In its cross-appeal filed before the Supreme Court, the party specifically prayed that some documents and evidence led by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, be expunged from the records.

The APC asked the apex court to expunge the testimonies of petitioners witnesses 40, 59 and 60.

It asked the apex court to set aside the decision of the tribunal admitting the evidence and documents.

Faulting the decision of tribunal in refusing to expunge the evidence from the tribunal’ records, the APC’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said, “The learned justices of the court of appeal erred in law when they failed to consider or properly consider the cross-appellant’s objection to the admissibility of the documents tendered by the petitioners/cross-respondents’ counsel from the bar.”

Atiku and the PDP had on Monday filed 66 grounds notice of appeal before the apex court praying that the judgment of the tribunal which dismissed their petition be set aside.

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2023: PDP BoT banks on Jonathan, Saraki, Wike

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin, has said the PDP BoT will embark on strategic talks and engagements with former President Goodluck Jonathan; a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; and other presidential aspirants of the party to solidify and position the party to recapture power at the federal level in 2023.

The presidential aspirants include a former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; another former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal;  a former Governor of  Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs between 2013 and 2015, Tanimu Turaki; a former member representing the Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State,  Datti Baba-Ahmed; a  former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang;

 Jibrin also said the BoT would visit and co-opt a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen.  Aliyu  Gusau,  who was also the  National Security Adviser from May 29,  1999 to June 1, 2006; a former PDP Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi; the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, other members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, including their Chairman, Seriake Dickson.

He stated that the party was strategising to defeat the All Progressives Congress and re-launch itself to power as the greatest party in Africa, adding that some members of the BoT had visited the PDP presidential candidate for the February 23, 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, as part of the consultations and synergy to strengthen the party to win the 2023 presidential election.

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Osinbajo’s office has been rendered useless, impotent —Afenifere

Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, says from the look of things, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s office has been rendered useless, impotent and irrelevant.

It, however, said it would be too early to speculate if Osinbajo’s “ordeal” was caused by any misdemeanor on his part or if it was based on permutations ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The spokesman for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said this during an interview said, “We are watching as events unfold. We are studying the situation, but we must also not muddle up issues.

“For now, we will not jump into any premature conclusion that this is about 2023 alone.

“We will need more information to know whether it is political or whether there was abuse of office or process.

“But the barrage of the last 48 hours shows that there is something wrong.

“We will wait to have all the facts because we don’t want to say a Yoruba man is being attacked.

“They may have had a justifiable reason to do so; but we are taking note of every development and at the appropriate time, we will make our position known.

“But clearly, what has happened is that the VP’s office has been rendered impotent, useless and irrelevant.”

It may be recalled that the Economic Management Team hitherto led by Osinbajo was suddenly dissolved on Monday and replaced with an advisory council that would report directly to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The following day, online news medium, The Cable, reported sighting a memo in which the President instructed the Vice-President to, henceforth, seek presidential approvals before taking any action over agencies under his (Osinbajo’s) supervision.

Currently, Osinbajo is the chairman of the governing boards of the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Boundary Commission, the Border Communities Development Agency and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company — a limited liability company owned by the three tiers of government.

It was learnt that some agencies, such as NEMA, would rather deal directly with the President than with Osinbajo.

There are also reports that some of Osinbajo’s aides had been transferred out of the Presidential Villa and seconded to some Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

The Presidency, it was reported, is planning to strip the Vice-President of his brainchild known as the Social Investment Programme which comprises the TraderMoni Scheme, N-Power, school feeding programme and others.

The welfare programme is expected to be placed under the newly-created Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development headed by Mrs. Sadiya Umar.

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Atiku Vs Buhari: Atiku Wins Round Three As Court Says Buhari’s Qualification Not Pre-Election Matter

The court has also struck out an application filed by the 1st Respondent, INEC, seeking the court to nullify ground 4 and 5 of the PDP and Atiku’s Petition.

The court held that grounds 4 and 5 of the PDP and Atiku petition is not a pre election matter and is hereby accepted by the court based on the provisions of the electoral act 2010 as amended.

Ground 4 is seeking the court to disqualify President Muhammadu Buhari on grounds of non-qualification while ground 5 is that President Buhari submitted false information of a fundamental nature in aid of his qualification to INEC.

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Gbajabiamila appoints Ganduje’s daughter as aide

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gabjabiamila, has appointed Fatima Ajimobi, daughter of Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano state, as his special assistant on NGOs and civil society.

Idris Ajimobi, Fatima’s husband, disclosed this in an Instagram post while congratulating his wife on her position.

In the long read, he also bared the details of his wife’s steadfastness with humanitarian work and her ‘“Let’s Talk Humanity“‘, a non-profit initiative founded to aid the “development of the Nigerian community and Africa as a whole.”

“Fatima Abiola-Ajimobi, I don’t know if you still believe me because I say it so often.  You’re an extraordinary young woman. I have watched you struggle when you were at your lowest and noticed how you never lost faith. You walk confidently in the direction of your dreams, the mantra you live by,” he wrote.

“I remember when I first met you and all you talked about was your humanitarian work through your NGO Let’s Talk Humanity. Your goal is and has always been to see the Nigerian child happy and thriving at their full potential. That’s your goal. You dreamt it and you strive hard to achieve it.

“I mean you run an e-learning center for the disabled students at the Tudun Maliki Special School in Kano. Visually and hearing-impaired students learning through technology! If this isn’t love, then I don’t know what is.

“Everyone falls but the magic with you is that you bounce back every time, stronger, more fierce, more determined. You learn always! You respond with love when you are dealt with hate, you choose good every time even when it’s not deserved.

“My prayer for you, my wife, is that your courage never ceases and your light never dims. At such a young age, I am privileged to congratulate you on your appointment as the Special Assistant on NGOs and Civil Society to the Speaker of the National House of Representatives.”

In March 2018, Fatima and Idris tied the knot at a wedding ceremony that played host to political bigwigs and top shots in the business world.

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Many feared dead as Shiites clash with Police in Kaduna

No fewer than three people have been reportedly killed in Kaduna during a violent face-off between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and the police on Tuesday morning.

Against the police order, the Shiites made good of their procession threat as they marched on the streets of Abuja and other parts of the country to observe Ashura process

The law enforcement agents had warned the sect against carrying out the parade, stating that by virtue of the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice of July 26, 2019, the IMN had been proscribed in the country and cannot hold any procession.

The force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said any gathering by the Shi’ites “will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.”

However, the usually extreme procession turned bloody in Kaduna after the IMN group refused to back down.

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Why I’m yet to form my cabinet after over 100 days – Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of River State has given reasons why he is yet to form a cabinet after over a hundred days in office following his re-election as the governor of the state.

The Governor stated that he is yet to form his cabinet because he is seeking out people who will work with dedication and passion for the state.

The governor stated this when he spoke during the submission of report by the Committee for Accreditation and Approval of Private Schools in Rivers State at the Government House Port Harcourt on Monday evening, Governor Wike said he will not be moved by criticisms because he is committed to doing what is right for the state.

He said: “I have not formed my cabinet because I am taking my time to monitor and look at people who would work with a passion for Rivers State.

“Politics is involved, but you must be ready to work for the state. That is why you see that there is a delay in the formation of the cabinet. No matter the criticism, I will do what is right”.

The Rivers number one added that all focus must be on working for the sustained development of Rivers State.

“We must work to move Rivers State forward. In doing that, we must step on toes. We can’t allow the state to be the way it is.

“I believe that with the calibre of persons who served in the committee, you have done a good job. I have confidence in the committee”, he said.

Governor Wike explained that he established the Committee for Accreditation and Approval of Private Schools in Rivers State because of the urgent need to check the downward slide of private schools in the state.

He said: “People have unnecessarily commercialised education. They have become traders in the field of education. We will not allow that to continue.

“All those schools that you have denied accreditation, even the ones you have approved, I will look at them again. But specifically, the ones you have denied. They will not function in this state.

“I hope you went to the churches to investigate their schools. We cannot allow what is going on to continue. Some schools are collecting fees and killing our children and say they giving them education. The 763 remaining, we will select a team to visit these schools. Any school that is not qualified to operate will not get our final approval”.

The Governor stated that his administration remains committed to addressing the infrastructural and equipment needs of public schools in the state.

He said: “I will do everything to turn around the public schools. We are about to revive Enitonna High School, Borokiri, Western Ahoada County Grammar School, Government Secondary School, Obuama and others. We are committed to reviving all the great schools of the past”.

He set up a committee to review the report and set the template for implementation.

“The Head of Service, Attorney-General, Chief of Staff and a committee of Permanent Secretaries will review the report and submit an implementation report. Your efforts shall not go in vain”, he said.

Chairman, Committee for Accreditation and Approval of Private Schools in Rivers State, Prof Ozo-Mercury Ndimele informed that 2651 private schools registered for the exercise at the office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government. He said the state has about 5000 private schools.

He said out of the 2,651 registered at the office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, the committee inspected 1,888 schools while 763 schools were not inspected.

Prof Ozo-Mercury Ndimele said the committee proposed 12 recommendations to the Rivers State Governor. He said that schools should only operate in line with their approvals, while those with interim accreditation are given two years to upgrade.

He recommended that the State Government must act on the number of private schools in the state. He said during the exercise the committee visited one-third of such schools.

The committee suggested the establishment of a commission for the regular assessment and accreditation of private schools”.

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Chaos: Lagos task force arrest 11 NURTW members

The Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has apprehend 11 members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers for causing mayhem in the state.

The union members were arrested on Saturday and Sunday for causing chaos in the Yaya-Abatan garage, Ogba area of the state.

According to the Chairman of the task force, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, weapons including, axes, daggers, broken bottles and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects, adding that they would be charged to serve as a deterrent to others, who might be planning to disturb the peace of the state.

He urged the members of the union to conduct their activities in a peaceful manner and not disturb the peace of other members of the public, adding that anyone caught fomenting trouble would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

In a related development, the agency has also arrested two suspected tricycle thieves from the Ifo area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that the suspects, Sodiq Sulaiman and Saidi Ibrahim, stole a tricycle with number plate JJJ 706 QF, where it was parked by the roadside in Ifo.

Our correspondent learnt that the suspects were arrested at the Cappa area of Lagos while being chased by the cops on night patrol in the Oshodi area of the state.

One of the suspects, Sulaiman, an ex-convict, in his confessional statement to the operatives, was said to have confessed that the tricycle was being taken to one Mallo in the Idi-Oro area of the state for sale at an agreed price of N40,000 before they were arrested.

He was quoted to have said, “I was just released from the Kirikiri Prison last month, where I spent seven months for not being able to produce a commercial tricycle given to me on hire purchase by the owner.

“I trained as a tricycle mechanic for four years at Abekoko in Oyo State before I came to Lagos in 2017 and started stealing phones, bags and tricycles with Saheed Ibrahim, whom I met in the Akala area of Mushin.”

The second suspect, Ibrahim, was quoted to have said, “We specialised in using motorcycles to rob innocent members of the public of their valuables at night. We had stolen and sold more than 55 phones, jewellery, laptops and seven tricycles to one Mallo in the Idi-Oro area of Mushin. We sold all our stolen items to Mallo and others in Idi-Oro and Akala areas of Mushin.”

Egbeyemi urged Lagos residents to take proper care of their belongings, adding that the suspects would be charged soon.

He added that the agency had deployed operatives in strategic locations across the state to protect lives and property.

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Dino melaye appeal against tribunal’s judgment

Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has appealed against the August 23, 2019 judgment of the Kogi State National/State Assembly Election Tribunal in Abuja which sacked him from office.

The three-man panel, led by Justice A.O. Chijioke, in a split decision of two-to-one, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election within 90 days.

The petition was filed by the Smart Adeyemi and his party, the All Progressives Congress, contending that the February 23, 2019 election was marred by irregularities.

Adeyemi,  a one-time senator, alleged that there were incidents of overvoting and substantial non-compliance with the electoral act during the election.

His case was upheld by the majority judgment of the tribunal.

But Melaye filed 23 grounds of appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the tribunal’s majority judgment.

The senator, in his notice of appeal dated September 5, 2019, urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss the petition filed before the tribunal and confirm his electoral victory.

He maintained in the notice of appeal filed on his behalf by his counsel, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), that the person sued at the tribunal as “Senator Dino Melaye” was not the same person as the person who contested the poll and declared winner of the election as contained on Form CF001 – “Melaye Daniel Dino”.

His notice of appeal read in part, “The provision of the law is that the name as used in Form CF001 is the only valid name that can be used to challenge the election of the appellant.

“The principle of equity accepted and applied by the majority members of the tribunal cannot override the provisions of the law in respect of the petition.

“The judgment of the tribunal was perverse and against the weight of evidence before it.”

The respondents to the appeal are Smart Adeyemi, the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party  and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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Nigerian president to visit South Africa

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to visit South Africa in October to "reinforce strong bonds", following a spate of attacks against West Africans.

The Presidency said on Saturday that the two countries would "jointly develop responses to challenges affecting people and businesses in South Africa and Nigeria".

The South African embassy in Lagos, Nigeria, closed its doors on Wednesday after it came under attack.

Some South African businesses operating in Nigeria, including MTN, also closed until further notice after they were attacked.

Poor diplomatic relations between the two African countries, comes after Nigeria introduced plans to evacuate its nationals in South Africa following a wave of attacks on foreigners, including Nigerians.

President Cyril Ramaphosa held discussions on Friday with Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the special envoy of Buhari.

Presidency spokesperson Khuselo Diko said the special envoy's visit to Pretoria followed a recent meeting between Ramaphosa and Buhari in Yokohama, Japan, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.

"In [the] discussion, the special envoy conveyed President Buhari's concern at recent events in South Africa, in the context of the strong and cordial relations that characterise the interaction between the two countries," said Diko.

Diko said Buhari conveyed his "commitment to the values of prosperity and the advancement of Africa that are shared by South Africa and Nigeria".

"Nigeria stands ready to assist South Africa in establishing the root causes of and developing sustainable solutions to the challenges concerned. President Buhari has undertaken that where challenges emerge in Nigeria, the Nigerian government will act against lawlessness and the targeting of South African assets in Nigeria."

Ramaphosa reaffirmed SA-Nigeria relations as "firm and strong" and said the two partners were resolute in their shared commitment to build an Africa at peace with itself and others.

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Angry Youths Burn SSG’s House, APC Office In Katsina

Angry youths have razed the private residence of the Secretary to Katsina State Government, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed Inuwa and the APC office in Danmusa Local government area of Katsina State.

The Youths were said to be protesting what they described as complicity by the SSG in the alleged spate of armed banditry attacks in Danmusa LGA and other areas in the central and southern part of the state.

The Protest was sparked when traders who were returning from the Danmusa market were ambushed by armed bandits at the outskirts of the town which led to the death of one of the traders.

A source told Daily Independent that, no sooner had the news of the deceased filtered into town, about one thousand youths from the town mobilized to the scene of the crisis and took the body of the deceased to the District head’s palace who fled on sighting the protesters.

The source added that the action of the District head further aggravated the annoyance of the tensed youths who turned violent and marched to the country home of the SGS and set it ablaze.

“From there they proceeded to the APC office in Danmusa which they also burnt chanting various slogans to register their dissatisfaction with the way and manner the insecurity issues were being handled in the state.

Attempts to reach the state Police command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, however, proved abortive as calls made to him were neither answered nor returned.

It would be recalled that at least not more than twenty villages have been overrun by armed bandits in Katsina state in the last one month.

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Petition against Imo ex-Deputy Speaker dismissed by Tribunal

The election Tribunal in Owerri has struck out the petition brought before it by Kingsley Echendu, of the Peoples Democratic Party, challenging the electoral victory of the immediate past deputy speaker of the Imo state House of Assembly, Ugonna Ozurigbo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had on February 21 declared Ozurigbo the winner of the election held in Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba federal constituency of the state.

Ozurigbo contested on the platform of the All Progressive Congress.

The chairman of the Tribunal, Olagunju Olusegun, in his judgment accused the petitioner of speaking from both sides of his mouth.

The jurist flayed the PDP candidate for claiming that there was no election in some wards in the federal constituency and only to turn to say that there were over voting in the same wards.

In striking out the petition, the judge said that there were glaring inconsistencies in the petitioner’s claims.

Ozurigbo said that he was extending an olive branch to the PDP candidate to join him in moving the federal constituency forward.

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Three dead while three injured in Gwarimpa multiple accidents

At least three people have been killed while three others sustained varying degrees of injury after a white Mercedes Benz 4Matic 2016 model collided with two commercial tricycles around CITEC Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the white Benz with number plate, SRP 553 QG, was said to have been drunk and was on high speed around 6.50am on Saturday when he rammed into the tricycles.

At least three people have been killed while three others sustained varying degrees of injury after a white Mercedes Benz 4Matic 2016 model collided with two commercial tricycles around CITEC Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the white Benz with number plate, SRP 553 QG, was said to have been drunk and was on high speed around 6.50am on Saturday when he rammed into the tricycles.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Anjuguri Manza, confirmed this on Saturday.

The driver, suspected to have been drunk, was driving a white Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle around 6.50am with no number plate when the accident occurred.

The Benz was said to have rammed into a tricycle and two other vehicles, killing the driver and passengers as well as some pedestrians, somersaulting in the process.

An eyewitness, who posted a video of the incident online, said immediately after the crash, the driver fled with a companion and entered into another car which sped off.

“We have begun investigations into the accident but I cannot say much for now because I don’t have much detail,” he said.

The Spokesman for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, said three persons spokesman said that investigations had begun into the matter.were killed while three were injured.

He said the three corpses had been evacuated while the survivors had been conveyed to the Kubwa General Hospital.

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51yr old man jailed for using expired ATM card to buy drinks, fried meat in Edo

A 51-year old man, Ikidi Innocent, is to spend three months in jail for using expired Union Bank ATM card to buy drinks and fried meat.

Ikidi was sentenced by Oredo Magistrate Court after he was arraigned on three-count charge of cheating and obtaining by false pretence.

‎The accused who pleaded guilty to the charges, was said to have committed the offence on June 27, 2019.

He was said to have tricked one Blessing John and Dorothy Amaka to buy meat and beer for his consumption

Police Prosecutor, ASP Patrick Agbonifo, informed the court that the convict bought fried meat worth N1,500, stout beer worth N9,000, bitters worth N300, and other alcoholic drinks worth N3,430.

He said the offences were punishable under Sections 516, 421 and 419 of the Criminal Code cap 48 Vol ii laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria now applicable in Edo State.

Presiding magistrate, Ivie Akhere, therefore, sentenced the accused to three months imprisonment without an option of fine.

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Nigerians offered free flight to flee xenophobic attacks

Nigerians in South Africa are being offered a free flight to return home “following the recent unfortunate xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals“, Nigeria's foreign ministry has said.

The owner of Air Peace Airlines was willing to evacuate Nigerians free of charge on Friday, it said.

“Interested Nigerians are therefore advised to liaise with the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for further necessary arrangement,” the statement added.

The attacks on foreign-owned businesses in South Africa have angered many Nigerians who feel they are being unfairly targeted.

Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama told a news conference on Wednesday that, according to the information available, no Nigerians had been killed in the unrest.

However, he said the government was considering recalling its high commissioner to South Africa and demanding full compensation for Nigerian businesses that had been damaged.

The BBC’s Ishaq Khalid in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, says it is the latest expression of rising tension between the two nations over the situation facing foreigners in South Africa.

Nigeria has decided to boycott the World Economic Forum in South Africa this week over the attacks.

It has told its citizens to "avoid travelling to high risk and volatile areas" in South Africa until the situation is brought under control.

And retaliatory attacks on South African businesses by protesters in a number of Nigerian cities have forced the telecommunications giant - MTN - to close all its shops and service centres.

Earlier in the week, President Muhammadu Buhari said he was sending an envoy to South Africa to express Nigerians’ “displeasure” over the violence.

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Xenophobia: ‘Reps Will Authorise Legal Funding For Victims Of Attacks’ – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila says the House will authorise legal funding for Nigerians who are victims of the fresh xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Speaker said this on Friday during a press briefing on the xenophobic attacks in the country.

“The house will also authorise legal funding for victims of the attack who wish to take legal action against the perpetrators.”

Mr Gbajabiamilia appealed to Nigerians not to attack South African businesses in the country, adding that the House of Reps is with President Muhammadu Buhari on his decisions concerning the matter.

He noted also that the Minister of Foreign affairs, the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa and the Chairman of the Diaspora Commission will be invited by the House.

He also advised the South African government to conduct a thorough investigation and make public their findings.

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South Africa shuts embassy in Nigeria after reprisal attacks

South Africa temporarily closed its embassy in Nigeria following violence against South African businesses in reprisal for attacks on foreign-owned stores in Johannesburg, while Nigeria announced plans to evacuate its nationals from South Africa.

South African Foreign Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said on Thursday the embassy was closed temporarily after threats led to fears for staff safety.

"There is Afrophobia we are sensing that exists, there is resentment and we need to address that," Pandor told Reuters news agency.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele confirmed the diplomatic missions in the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Abuja have been closed since Wednesday.

The announcement, which signals worsening diplomatic relations between the two African countries, comes after Nigeria introduced plans to evacuate its nationals from South Africa following a wave of attacks on foreigners.

The Nigerian foreign ministry said Air Peace, a commercial airline, offered to send an aircraft on Friday to evacuate nationals willing to return "free of charge".

"The general public is hereby advised to inform their relatives in South Africa to take advantage of this laudable gesture," Nigerian foreign ministry spokesman Ferdinand Nwonye said on Wednesday.

"Interested Nigerians are therefore advised to liaise with the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg for further necessary arrangement."

The statement was made after Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said Nigeria would not cave to Pretoria.

"The South African government has to assume its responsibilities and protect Nigerians in South Africa and we have to hold them to account, and they have to do that as well as pay full compensation," he said.

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