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Press Coverage of Nigeria-South Africa Diplomatic Face-Off Over Yellow Fever Vaccination

The study was Nigeria-South Africa diplomatic face off over Yellow fever Vaccination issue. The problem started when 125 Nigerians, including a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who landed at the Oliver Tambo International Airport on March 1st, 2012 were prevented from entering the country, because they did not have the required documentation for vaccination against yellow fever. The following day 75 of them were sent home via the South African Airways while another 50 were sent home via Nigerian Airline “Arik Air” (This Day, 3rd, March, 2012). In response to the deportation of some Nigerians from South Africa, 28 South Africans were turned back at Murtala Mohamed International Airport, and another 56 illegal immigrants from South Africa were deported following day A total of four Nigerian newspapers had a combined total of 480 editions. To arrive at the number of editions to be used, as sample size, a constructed weeks study was used to draw from the 480 editions at one day interval. This amounted to 3 editions per paper per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Hence, a total of 12 editions per month multiplied by four months amounted to 48 editions on the average. Also, the total sample was gotten by multiplying 48 editions by four newspaper titles which amounted to 192 editions. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample of stories from the editions examined. The methods for data presentation and analysis were both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Hence we made use of frequency tables and simple percentage. The study results show that the four Nigerian Newspapers namely Vanguard, This Day, The Daily Sun and The Nation published different reports such as editorials, news stories, and letters to editor on the issues. However, the papers were not unmindful of the political implication of the face-off, hence, they tried to balance national interests and African unity thereby emphasizing less on the bad relationship such incident was capable of generating among African sister states.


Introduction
There is dissatisfaction over the years about the role of Nigerian press in Nigeria's foreign policy issues (Ibie & Abitudu, 1989;Akinterinwa, 2010). This is against the background that Nigerian press needs to provide effective coverage of the country's foreign policies. This is because, the role of the press in influencing political, social and cultural institution is well articulated (Biagi, 2003). Since the press all over the world is saddled with the responsibility to inform and educate their readers on foreign policy issues, can Nigerian press be said to be making the public aware of the foreign policy of Nigerian government towards South Africa? This is against the backdrop that the press remains the strongest and most potent force in aggregating all different opinions in foreign policy (Iroh, 2005).
However, the extent of press support for foreign policy is largely the function of the extent to which government was able to promptly inform and convince the press on the rationale for its foreign decisions (Akinterinwa, 2010;). To this effect, some scholars have examined the Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies Volume: 7 -Issue: 2 April -2017 Nigerian press coverage of national and international issues (Alozie, 2004;Dare, 1973;Nwuneli & Udo, 1982& Ugboajah 1984. Also, there have been studies in the role of the press in African development (Opubor, 1985;Atwood & Major, 1982 and Hunt;1982).
Although, each of these studies found out the relevance of the press in Nigeria's development, but non discovered the essence of press reportage of Nigeria's foreign policy initiatives.
These studies have highlighted the basic interest of press coverage of national issues.
Thus, the basic goals of the media is fact findings and factgiving, that is the function of news operations, determining what is and saying that it is and saying that it is and saying so publicly (Opubor, 1985;P. 250). According to Momoh (1988;p.50), "the press is not only the fourth estate of this realm, it is also the only estate that owes its allegiance, ownership not withstanding to the people to whom sovereignty belongs". Hence, that give the press the liberty to comment on any issue it deemed necessary to express opinion on and on many occasions, it had agreed with Nigeria's foreign policy. While on many occasions, it had disagreed and often took a different stand on the nation's foreign policy (See restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel) (Akinterinwa, 2010;p.173).

Nigerian Press and National Interest
It is a mandate to look into the welfare and interest of Nigerians abroad by the government of Nigeria based on the concept of citizen diplomacy (Mbachu, 2009 (Nwanze, 2008).
However, some people think we need to back off from beating them over the head with our contribution every time we get into an argument. To South Africa since many countries supported their struggle should they bow in obeisance to them every morning? However, unless Nigeria strategically reviews her relationship with countries in Africa, in order to maintain good relationship with them.
Apparently, the Federal government handling of the matter may have sent out signals to other countries that Nigerian will no longer allow the right of her citizens to be violated by any country. This is based on the fact that for too long Nigerians have been subjected to all kinds of shabby treatment at airports worldwide based on negative perceptions (Ogunsanwo, 2009).
For instance some Nigerians have been arrested for various crimes Nigerians have been labeled criminals, and immigration officers all over the world are usually on red alert while checking Nigerians (Maduekwe, 2009). Did Nigerian press give the issue of the diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa a balanced coverage? Hence, despite the increasingly presence of Nigerians in South Africa and the obvious xenophobic disposition of South African and Nigerian press is expected to promote African unity and protect national interest in the coverage of the face-off.

South African -Nigeria Historical Relations
The South Africans companies have huge investment in Nigeria and many African nations.
For example, MTN has more subscribers in Nigeria than they do in South Africa.  (Nwanze, 2003). Before now, South African's economy was generally on a low growth. It was struggling to grow at more than 3% per year due to various structural issues. Much of the high growth by South African countries is to be found in the rest of Africa. Ironically, the ANC had expected to inherit an economic cornucopia, its ambitious development plans were based on that notion. But the coffers, in fact were empty Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies Volume: 7 -Issue: 2 April -2017 (Meredith, 2011;P.655).
Therefore, subsidiary companies outside South Africa provide 10% of economic growth in the country. South Africa wants to maintain her status as the dominant Africa economic player. Hence, the South African government was quick to admit the fault of its officials and not allowing the diplomatic row to degenerate into a major crisis which will definitely not be in the interest of both countries. Historically

Nigeria -South Africa Economic Diplomatic Relations
Policy is the articulation and implementation of a line of action by a country towards her relationship with other countries. It is the basis on which one state engages another subject to international law. Diplomacy and foreign policy are of great relevance as far as international relations is concern. Therefore, the foreign policy of any nation is usually anchored on a solid economic base, backed up with military might. But, most importantly trade and commerce from the spread of diseases, (Daily Sun Newspaper, March 4th 2012).
In reaction to this statement, the then Nigerian Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, declared that none of the 125 deported Nigerians from South Africa was in possession of fake yellow fever card. He also noted that the last reported case of yellow fever in the country was in 1995 and maintained that the ministry does not have any reported case of fake yellow fever card before it from any individual or any country. Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu also said, it is curious that a country that had issued entry visa to intending travelers which issuance was predicted on the presentation of a valid yellow card will then turn around to deport those travelers This Day, March, 7, 2012, p.8). Consequently, South African authorities tendered an unreserved apology to Nigeria, saying that it took them more than 48 hours to investigate before tendering an apology.

Theoretical Framework
This study is based on the "citizencentric" concept of Nigeria's foreign policy. The Afrocentric policy was aimed at the liberation of African countries from colonialism and oppressive rule. To this effect, Nigeria's Afrocentric diplomacy helped in achieving political independence and the liberation of most African countries. This policy was adopted immediately after Nigeria's independence in 1960. Hence, "Nigeria has pursued a foreign policy predicted largely on being her brothers' "keeper" (Maduekwe, 2009;p.7). Therefore, Afrocentricism has made it possible for a foreign policy objective that is fashioned to liberate African countries still under colonial rule and fight for the emancipation of the black man anywhere he is in the world (Maduekwe, 2009;p.9). Citizen diplomacy on the other hand, refers to the organized action that the Nigerian government takes to achieve the objectives that have been set by foreign policy members (Maduekwe, 2009;p. 63). The concept of citizen diplomacy defines Nigerian citizens as businessmen who have been bemoaned the lack of synergy that is expected in partnership between government and the private sector in any foreign policy initiative. It entails the protection of the interests of Nigerian citizens wherever they may be in the world. It allows Nigerian government to intervene where necessary whenever Nigerian citizen is been maltreated or marginalized in any foreign land. It is a citizen-centered diplomacy which allows Nigerian citizens abroad to be the centre of Nigeria's national interest. Hence, the country's diplomatic machinery is deployed towards protecting the interest of Nigerian citizens abroad. As argued by Ogunsanwo (2009, p: 19), "The protection of the interest of Nigeria's abroad is an integral part of the diplomatic functions recognized by the Vienna Convention of 1961 governing diplomatic relations".
Citizen diplomacy articulates what is or should be implicit as the major goal of Nigeria's foreign policy; being peoplecentered, it is a step in further saying that in both its national and international actions, "the Nigerian state will be driven primarily by the need to promote the welfare and security of every Nigeria" (Eze, 2009, P. 31). Citizen diplomacy as constructed by Nigeria under Late President Musa Yar'Adua means that Nigeria's foreign policy will henceforth be focused on the Nigerian citizens at home and in the diaspora (Agbu, 2009;P.41). It is a mandate to look into the welfare and interest of Nigerians abroad by the government of Nigeria (Mbachu 2009). It covers every issue that border on giving Nigerians the maximum protection and seeking to ensure that their welfare is not compromise in any foreign level (Eze, 2009).
It is against this backdrop that the deportation of Nigerians from South Africa over the allegation of fake yellow fever vaccine card attracted a retaliatory reaction from Nigerian government should attract the attention of the Nigerian press. "This could mean that from now on, the Nigeria citizens abroad are the centre of Nigeria's national interest and therefore the country's entire diplomatic machinery should geared towards protecting his or her interest, including economic welfare" etc (Ogunsanwo, 2009;p2). This is because the apparent or perceived criminalization of Nigerian citizens abroad is what citizen diplomacy intended to address. It is on this note that the deportation of Nigerian citizens from South Africa over yellow fever vaccine card was seen criminalizing Nigerians in that country.
Hence, the federal government did embark on retaliatory measure to forestall further occurrence. On the note, Nigerian press reports on the issue were expected to tally with Nigerian government's disposition towards protecting her citizens, while at the same time promoting African unity.
Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies Volume: 7 -Issue: 2 April -2017

Research Methods
The total accessible population for the study was drawn from a total of the newspaper editions, published by the four national newspapers for a period of four months March 2012 -June, 2012. Therefore, the four newspapers had a combined total of 480 editions. To arrive at the number of editions to be used, as sample size, a constructed weeks study was used to draw from the 480 editions at one day interval. This amounted to 3 editions per paper per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Hence, a total of 12 edition per month multiplied by four months amounted to 48 editions on the average. Also, the total sample was gotten by multiplying 48 editions by four newspaper titles which amounted to 192 editions. When the content of the newspapers were examined it was discovered some had more publications on the issue than others, while on certain days there were no story on the issue by any of the newspapers. Two coders were used for coding and 92% intercoder reliability was gotten using a reconstructed formula thus: 2m N1+N2 The purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample of stories from the editions examined. The methods for data presentation and analysis were both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Hence we made use of frequency tables and simple percentage.

Results
The   Hence, these are examples of stories that did not aim at escalating the face-off. In conclusion favourable stories had the highest reportage with 60.7% of all stories carried on the face-off between Nigeria and South Africa. This shows that Nigerians did not lose sight of the need to maintain good neighbourliness among African states.

Conclusions
We therefore, conclude that Nigerian press gave extensive but patriotic coverage of the yellow fever vaccination faceoff between Nigeria and South Africa in line with the citizenship diplomacy ideology of the Nigerian government. However, the press was not unmindful of the political implication of the face-off, hence, it tried to balance national interest with African unity thereby emphasizing less on the bad relationship such incident is capable of generating among African sister states.

Recommendations
The researchers recommend that future faceoff between Nigerian and South Africa should always be avoided where possible; and where such crises are inevitable as n the yellow fever card and the constant xenophobic attacks by South Africans against Nigerians and other African nationals, the press should do everything to douse tension through neutral stories and unaised reportage of the issues involved.