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We Lost Everything,Came Home With Nothing- Returnees
Returnees said that it was unfortunate to lose all they have worked for in a foreign land and return home empty handed.
They said that none of their properties were spared by the angry south African youths.
The returnees said that they are ready to face the challenges here in Nigeria.
A renowned auto spare parts dealer in Pretoria, Ibe Jonas said he lost a stock estimated at 1,200,000 Rands (about N29m), the Orlu, Imo State indigene was a ‘big man’ among his colleagues; highly respected.
Unfortunately, all that he laboured for in the last 14 years when he left Nigeria was diminished to ashes penultimate on Sunday by South Africans angry youths who were uncomfortable with his success story in there country” South Africa”.
“I lost everything but I am very happy that I am back to my country alive. They burnt down my shop. If I had the money I lost to that attack, I would be a big man in Nigeria.
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“Unfortunately, I could not salvage anything. I came back empty-handed, except for some of my clothes and shoes.
“Only God and our government can help me because I don’t have any means to sustain myself. I ought to have got married.
“It was because of the crisis that I decided not to raise a family there. A lot of people are crying over there, they want to come back,”he said.
Another returnee, Charity Okafor, from Enugu State was dispirited by the experience. She travelled to Brett, Pretoria North West four years ago in search of greener pastures.
A graduate and a fashion designer, she struck a chord with a number of clients as her business grew in leaps and bounds.
“Unfortunately, four months ago, the livelihood i strove to build crumbled before my eyes,”she said.
The 33 year old nursing mother scamper for her dear life as assailants set her shop ablaze. She lost all she had laboured for in a foreign land.
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She said, “We struggled to survive there. We woke up early in a bid to make ends meet, yet they see us as threats to them. They felt we make money at their expense. If we go to their clinic and we don’t speak their local language, they would not attend to us. It was really awful. The discrimination was so much.
“If you want to rent an apartment in some places, they won’t attend to you simply because you are a Nigerian.
“I came back with my child. My husband will join us later. I thank God I’m home now; at least this is my country.
” I am ready to face the challenges here. I know it is not easy coming back home with nothing, but my life is first. If there is life, there is hope. I am a graduate and I’m not lazy. I will work.”
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