6th December, 2021
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu has urged African countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, to retaliate against the UK, U.S, Canada and EU for imposing a travel ban on them due to the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Moghalu in a post on his verified Twitter page said it is unconscionable to subject Africans to restrictions because of a variant that did not originate from the continent.
He wondered why Western countries with similar or more cases are not subject to similar restrictions.
“Nigeria and other African countries such as South Africa should issue reciprocal restrictions or bans on any Western countries that restrict or ban travel by Africans because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
“It’s unconscionable to subject Africans to restrictions because of a variant that did not originate from the continent when Western countries with similar or more cases are not subject to similar restrictions.
“This is more than public health. It’s about worldviews in international relations. Our dignity matters.
“Our leaders should protect it instead of as is the case with Nigeria today, travelling around the world with a begging bowl for foreign assistance.”