The case against Xenophobia did not start with the events recently reported. Apart from the ( at least) three major episodes in the last twenty years which resulted in extensive loss of life and property, it is reported that there have been isolated incidents which do not filter through international media. In the prequel to this article published last Thursday, I outlined what young lawyers can do to contribute to alleviate social gaps especially those related to civic duties. The more I pondered on the situation, I realised that it was important to stay on the subject with the aim of using this platform as a channel for advocacy on certain underlying issues which (in my opinion) have led to the compounded disorder this most recent uproar has been.
While we cannot solve the South African problem, we can take steps to remediate the Nigerian situation. It is my view that the legal community and other professional circles need to begin to more actively undertake socially relevant projects which seek to enlighten their immediate communities. Poverty alleviation which does not impact the mindset is pointless as we have seen with the outbursts for “Mr. Xenophobia” the Nigerian man allegedly killed by South Africans. To think that young agile men and women attacked Nigerian businesses with such vehemence; the scale of which speaks only of retained anger at the economic opportunity of their victims rather than the cause they allegedly fought for should keep us at red alert.
No economic progress made can be preserved when the bulk of the populace remains uneducated and uncivilised. Lawyers and as many professional communities as there are, need to begin to campaign/lobby more actively than they currently do for the overhaul of the policy and the laws surrounding critical areas of our underdevelopment before they get out of hand. Like has been done in certain sectors, the undertaking of socially relevant projects, especially those relating to education and social development should increasingly form the basis for incentives and waivers.
Some of these critical areas which need immediate resolution that lawyers can adopt and lobby for are as follows:
National identification systems: In a country where national identity has overtime been a money-making venture at the risk of Nigeria’s citizens, highlighting this as a critical area for which we should lobby might seem inordinate. This is however a critical index that is relevant to our progress at the various levels of government. How accurate are the records kept of the various Nigerians moving in and out of states and Nigeria? How accurate are our records of persons involved in accidents, the incessant mini-wars in pockets of Nigeria? We continually use estimates but for proper economic planning, strategy and implementation, it is necessary that this issue of national identification be settled as quickly as possible. Imagine if in addition to the already saturated crowd of lobbyists for the change, critical representatives of private sector and the legal community mapped out a strategy to ensure overhaul without letting, I believe policy in this regard would progress and eventually change.
Migration: We see daily, the continued trends of brain drain, human trafficking, slavery across Nigeria and it appears that there is little to no tangible reaction from the government or the society at large. The best of professionals, especially in critical sectors of our society; health and education, exit Nigeria in droves. That is one aspect of the puzzle. Though some of these factors are largely attributed to the dismal standard of living and insecurity, we cannot to observe the problem and do nothing.
On the other hand, that Nigeria’s borders are porous is no news. Immigration facilities are issued inordinately, policies are formulated and/or changed without synergy across the relevant government agencies. This is a critical flaw of the system as well. There is a need to review these and I consider lawyers better placed to strategize on the policy and the law which can create an avenue for harmonious law making and policy drives on immigration and migration.
The social development problems: I do not need to identify these. The United Nations has helped by coining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) and mapping our recommended strategies for resolution. Social entrepreneurship is thriving in Nigeria and this is something to celebrate. However, looking at the proportion or impact of the current flock of social entrepreneurs, grant giving organisations, public good organisations, we will all agree that as a community, we can do more. In my view, every legal service provider, individual or organisation should undertake a socially relevant cause, mandatorily. This principle underlines the rules of professional conduct and ethics and we should embrace this, given the criticality of the Nigerian situation.
As stated in the prequel, no pleasure or gain will thrive long if the Nigerian project is abandoned. We need to do more; We need to do more; We need to do more.
OYEYEMI ADERIBIGBE is a Senior Associate at Templars. She is also the current Vice-chairman of the Young Lawyers’ Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association -Section on Business Law and the Young Lawyers’ Committee Liaison Officer of the African Regional Forum of the International Bar Association.
