Xenophobia: Nigerian international evangelist warns against deepening crisis, calls for diplomatic option

Michael Cassidy, a Nigerian international evangelist with branches around the world, has warned against xenophobic crisis in South Africa and called for diplomatic options.

Cassidy, head of the Lighthouse Family Church, spoke at his 50th birthday ceremony in Port Harcourt, Sunday evening.

The cleric said there is a better way, saying all sides have to sit on the table and actually discuss the matter so that there could be give and take. “But I think our government should also be diplomatic. There’s always a diplomatic solution, I would say.

“African governments led by Nigeria should also draw up policies that also favour South African businesses in Nigeria and in other African countries. Remember there was a time when there was a little clash and some people went and disrupted Shoprite in Lagos and all of that. So, I believe there should be a give-and-take. But Nigerians have given a lot. And if there’s a way to iron out those policies, it will stem the drift. When Nigerians go in other countries, it will stem a better treatment.”

The Apostle admitted that the crisis has affected the body of Christ around the world. “Yes. We have all been concerned about the things happening in South Africa. And one of the things we will say is, we know what South Africa was when we went to help them; when we went in to stand with them, the apartheid era, and all of that. We are keenly aware of what the Nigerian government and our governments around Africa did in terms of policies and actions. We know that investments were made so that South Africa would be the South Africa it is today. Then, we sit back to see what they begin to do right now at this time; it’s almost like it’s not love. You know, what God wants us to do is to show love one to another. And I believe that South Africans may have their reasons, but the way they are bringing out the new policies of government is a bit ostracizing other African nations and sending people out of the place, closing their businesses.

I don’t think it’s the best. I think there’s a better way. You can’t be accusing other African countries that they are the reason why you are not having jobs within your country.”

Reacting to concerns over scandals affecting many men of God, whereas he is winning accolades everywhere, he said; “To be honest, whether pastors, Muslims, native doctors, whatever, people have gone through sad situations, scandalous situations. But one of the things that have helped us is having older people ahead of you. It’s like apprenticeship and mentorship. To have people that you can share with when you’re having a difficulty, so that the difficulty doesn’t become public. So I believe that with mentorship and having a fatherhood figure covering, you can express certain difficulties you are having to your spiritual leaders before they become issues that you can’t handle.

“One of the things I have always done is to is to be in the midst of older persons. You can check all the people around me. I am always asking them questions and I don’t shy away from also discussing with them my difficulties. I think people still shy away, you know, the African people don’t want to say what they are struggling with. But we can! And then when we share like that, older people that have had that same experience are able to encourage you.”