That feeling when you are being bullied and a friend of yours suddenly rushed home and called your elder brother
If you had ever been bullied or been a bully or have been a spectator in such a scene, then you can relate. That was the exact atmosphere on the 9th of April 2020, when a Nigerian diplomat, the Consul Head of Chancery/Trade and Investment to Guangzhou province Mr. Razaq Dayo Lawal, intervened as the Nigerians in Guangzhou were being evicted from their apartments and hotels in the night.
I just got home after a very bad day at work with the memories of everything that happened on that day. The memories of my manager calling me into his office after I broke the chairman’s favorite cup and asking me, “why are you suddenly absent-minded?”. I didn’t answer that question but the answer was in my head. My brothers and sisters were on the streets, under the rain and the videos of their humiliations are all over the internet. The memories of the NIDO China president calling several times to verify the authenticity of the pieces of information being sent by the NIDO China committee leaders. The memories of several videos of brothers and sisters on the streets without any form of shelter in a land almost 12000km from home. I was already prepared for a very long sleepless night when I saw that video that changed the trend of events. The video of our big brother speaking on our behalf. In the twinkle of an eye, there was a sudden change of mood and then comes pride, when I saw another African in one of the groups, say “the true giant of Africa” which was immediately followed by the usual “Naija no dey carry last” from a Nigerian.
Nothing could be more reassuring than when you call on your own and get an immediate and positive response. A lot of African missions were sending messages to their citizens to calm down and the news of African ambassador’s meetings was in circulation but all these things could not quench the feeling of being abandoned and the fear that the worst will possibly be on the way amongst Africans. Nigerians and Africans immediately got a sense of relief after the consular general’s video went viral, There was a sudden change in the atmosphere and other foreign nationals were like “this is just about right”. Nobody really cared about the outcome of the intervention but the fact that someone could stand up and speak up brought a level of assurance and a feeling of safety, assuring the African men and women out here that the fatherland still got their backs.
The role played by the Nigerian missions to bring back dignity to her citizens in the recent event in Guangzhou city of China cannot be over appreciated. The Nigerians in China are presently asking for the contact of Mr. Razaq Dayo Lawal or his social media account to direct their appreciation straight to him for risking it all amid this pandemic and stepping out late in the night to defend the Nigerians and Africans evicted from their apartments and hotels. We are sincerely grateful to him and the ambassador for their goodwill in ensuring that actions are taken to ameliorate the plights of Nigerians in Guangzhou these few days. Worthy of note is the quick response of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the speaker of the House of Representatives who invited the China Ambassador to Nigeria for a quick briefing on the incident.
Finally, we would want to extend our unreserved gratitude to the acting president of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) China Barr Justina Ajala for her relentlessness in trying to get help for the distressed Nigerians in Guangzhou. Other Nigerians who did their best to help compatriots in need are not forgotten. Some raised funds, some created awareness, while others had justified fits of anger and sadness. Thanks to the Chinese citizens who also extended hands of friendship and love in helping to notify the appropriate authorities over the incident.
We will also want to assure the Ambassador, the Consular General of Guangzhou consulate, the Nigerian and Chinese government of our absolute willingness to abide by the regulations of the country and also promote the friendship between our two countries. We pray that this pandemic will come to an end as quick as possible so that we can return to our regular lives. All Nigerians are implored to abide by the rules and cooperate with the authorities without any reservations to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 is brought to an end.
