Jim Ovia Withdraws From WEF In South Africa After Backlash
Heavy backlash from Nigerians has forced Zenith Bank Plc’s Chairman, Jim Ovia, to withdraw from further participation in the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa holding in Cape Town, South Africa.
Ovia and Nigeria’s former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili, were heavily criticized on Wednesday by Nigerians on Twitter for attending the WEF amid calls for boycott of the event over xenophobic killings in the country.
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Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, had been billed to represent Nigeria at the conference, but had to boycott the event over recent attacks on foreigners in the South Africa.
Announcing his withdrawal from the event on Thursday, Ovia said:
“Following the hypersensitivity of the issues surrounding the lives and well-being of Nigerian citizens living in South Africa and to contribute his voice against the poor state of security regarding foreign nationals living in Africa, the Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia has withdrawn from further activities at the World Economic Forum Africa 2019, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.
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“Before taking his exit, Mr. Ovia stressed the need for youth empowerment and better government policies to curb continual attacks on persons living within and outside Africa. He belaboured that until positive change towards collective growth happens on this front, the continent would not reach its potential.
“Mr. Ovia added that full support should be rendered in vocational education of the young persons living in not just Nigeria but Africa. According to him, the Jim Ovia Foundation has taken up a stance on this issue, having empowered over 3,500 students and entrepreneurs since its inception. He called on other members of the private sector to join hands and solve this menace plaguing the African continent,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have been staging series of protests against South African businesses in the country to signal their disapproval of the attacks on their fellow citizens in South Africa.
