The founder and chairman of Zenith Bank, Nigeria’ssecond-most capitalised lender, Jim Ovia has withdrawn from the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF) currently holding in South Africa following a spate of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other nationals which now shames South Africa at the conference.
Ovia was already in Cape Town where he was supposed to co-chair the 28th WEF slated to hold till 6 September, but the Nigerian Bank founder is protesting out of safety concerns for Nigerians and other nationals affected by the attacks in South Africa.
“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of security regarding foreign nationals living in Africa, the Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia has withdrawn from further activities at the World Economic Forum Africa 2019, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa,” a statement released on Thursday by Ovia read.
The statement also noted that before taking his exit, Ovia stressed the need for youth empowerment and better government policies to curb continual attacks on persons living within and outside Africa.
The Nigerian bank chairman belaboured that until positive change towards collective growth happens on this front, the continent would continue to operate below its potentials.
“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.”
Ovia’s exit adds to the growing list of boycotts that has followed violence against strangers in South Africa.
