Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, has described the statement by Ravi Naik, a former Indian Chief Minister, on Nigerians as “condescending and unacceptable”.
In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa said the call by Naik for a ban by the Central Government of India on Nigerians from entering the country was rather unfortunate.
Naik had reportedly referred to Nigerians as “Negroes causing problems in Goa and other parts of India.”
“They create problems everywhere. We do not want Nigerian tourists.
“The Nigerians should be asked to leave India, we don’t want Nigerian tourists.
“The Government of India should ban Nigerians from entering India”, he had stated.
The SSA said though the statement of Naik was personal to him and does not represent the Indian government, such comment was demeaning and condemnable of a former high ranking government official.
Dabiri-Erewa said: “As Nigerians, we respect humanity and will not descend so low to use derogatory words even for Indians in Nigeria who are involved in illegal activities. Rather, we will allow the law to take its course.”
She, however, reiterated her calls on Nigerians in the Diaspora to be law abiding as any Nigerian found guilty of breaking the laws of any land will have to face the consequences.
She stressed that Nigeria will not tolerate any condescending comments on her nationals as respect begets respect.
Kiran Kandolkar, Goa spokesman, has demanded an apology from Naik over the controversial statement.
“Ravi Naik should tender an apology. The statements made by Naik are insulting and uncalled for,” Kamdolkar said.
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