Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, said the lower legislative chamber has invited Onyeama to appear before it on Wednesday.

Many Nigerians were targeted in the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Air Peace offered to evacuate those willing to return at no cost. At least 187 have been brought home while more are scheduled to return this week.

Speaking at the plenary session on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila said Nigeria owes Onyeama for his act of patriotism.

“He acted without consideration of cost, of tribe or personal interest. He acted in the best traditions of patriotism and love of country,” he said.

“He has been invited; I thought that the people’s house should commend him. So he will be hear tomorrow for us to commend him on behalf of Nigerians.”

Gbajabiamila chided Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs, for failing to honour an invitation to brief them on the incidents in South Africa.

“The minister has been asked on several occasions since this incident broke, both by the foreign affairs committee and by the leadership of the house, for a full briefing on what transpired to enable us address the issue properly,” he said.

“But it is unfortunate that the minister has not responded to the invitation, and even when the committee chairman wrote on behalf of the leadership of the house, he still did not respond.

“I believe we are one government and are here to serve the internet of Nigerians. So, I want to use this platform to send a direct message to the minister that he needs to respect the invitation of the committee of the house.”

He added that he will discuss the issue with President Muhammadu Buhari, saying: “I think respect is reciprocal.”

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Ferdinand Nwonye, Spokesperson for the Ministry, who made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said that Allen Onyema, Proprietor of Air Peace Airline, volunteered to send an aircraft from Friday, Sept. 6, to evacuate Nigerians who wish to return free of charge.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that following the recent xenophobic attack on foreign nationals, including Nigerians in South Africa, the Proprietor of Air Peace Airlines, has volunteered to send an aircraft to evacuate Nigerians.

“The general public is hereby advised to inform their relatives in South Africa to take advantage of this laudable gesture.

“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 stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that following the recent Xenophobic attack on Nigerians in South Africa on Sunday, several Nigerians have been left stranded and seeking refuge.

The intervention from Air Peace Airline is therefore a ray of hope for many Nigerians seeking to return home to safety.

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Obi reminded the South African Government about the unflinching support of Nigeria to them during the apartheid struggle and insisted that what Nigeria needs from them at all times are love and accommodation.

Further, he reminded Nigerians in South Africa that now is the time for them to come together as brothers and sisters and protect one another. He said that other nationals in foreign land such as Indians and the Jews absorb the catastrophes of life because they are always together, assisting one another.

While recalling his visit to South Africa in 2015 when the country experienced a similar attack, he said he was saddened that such was repeating itself, especially when some high-ranking South-African politicians he held meetings with during the trip assured him that South African government would be proactive towards preventing a repeat.

Obi said that what the South Africans are is most pathetic and regrettable considering that a lot of their nationals are in Nigeria and other countries of the world doing various businesses without anybody is harassing them.

“Such attacks would for long remain a clog in the wheel of African Union,” Obi concluded.

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She equally called on the African Union to intervene urgently in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the attacks as an unnecessary setback.

The Nigerian Community in South Africa led by Ikechukwu Anyene confirmed the attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.

Anyene said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.

“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans”, Anyene said.

Disturbed by this renewed attacks, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa advised Nigerians to be extra cautious as it looks like South African government seems to have no control over these attacks.

The SSA, however,urged restraint on the part of Nigerians and warned that further attacks without any reprimand may have dire consequences.

Dabiri-Erewa said the attention of the AU was being called to intervene because information had it that there will be another xenophobic attacks against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.

“These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” she said.

It will be recalled that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa had two weeks ago met with South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Lulu Aaron-Mnguni on the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.

Aaron-Mnguni then promised that the South African government was investigating the matter.

“We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years. And in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed”, this is unacceptable to the people and Government of Nigeria, Dabiri-Erewa said.

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