Jason Njoku, the husband of Nollywood actress Mary Njoku, has stated that he would no longer be able to remain in Europe following their interaction with an immigration officer in Venice, Italy.
The business mogul mentioned this on his Twitter page in response to a tweet by Sports writer Oma Akatugba, who disclosed that he witnessed racial profiling for the first time in his life in Italy.
Akatugba had complained about how officials at Milan Linate airport halted exclusively black people for questioning after they had passed through security checks.
He added, “FOR THE FIRST TIME Throughout MY LIFE, I CAN CONFIRM I EXPERIENCED RACIAL PROFILING.”
“In the Milan Linate Airport, as I headed towards the gates, two police officers stationed in front of the security check stopped a black man dressed in a Senegalese kaftan.”
“When I approach them, I notice two more police officers taking him inside their office.” I go to them and they stop me. He all requested for my passport, which I don’t have with me. I replied. He asked for your identification. I showed him my ID and he inquired where I lived, Germany. I replied, and he asked again, “How much do you have on you?” Strange question, but I said, “I’m broke, I don’t have a dime.” I instantly replied I am a football writer, and I came here for Inter vs. Benfica. I got out my phone and showed him a video of @AndreyOnana and myself, and he remarked, “Very good.” He handed me my ID and asked who I thought would win the Champions League. I said Manchester City, and he said good-by. I went away but remained standing to see who would be the next to halt.
“Low and behold, it was a black lady, while others were passing.” They interviewed her and she fled. Before she went, they showed her something on their phone. So I wondered whether they were looking for a black individual. I approached her and asked her what they had asked her. Before she answered, I said, “Did you know they exclusively stop black people?” Indeed, she responded, this happens all the time in Italy.
“It’s terribly sad. I’m astonished because I don’t see this very often in Germany. I see them stopping in both black and white and not depending on colour. That’s what happens a lot here, she replied, as I waved her farewell. Racism is still a major issue in Italy. It’s awful!!”
In response to Akatugba’s tweets, Jason Njoku revealed a ‘unpleasant’ incident he and his wife had with an immigration officer in Venice in March.
According to him, they were stopped at immigration and asked for their return tickets, but the police questioned them as hustlers and racially criticised them, causing them to laugh out loud and enrage the immigration officer.
Immigration inspectors, according to Njoku, did not ask them how long they planned to remain, but rather for their return tickets. They only let them leave when he mentioned that they were staying at the Saint Regis, an outstanding hotel in Venice, for three nights.
He added, “@MrsMaryNjoku and I travelled to Venice in March.” Immigration demanded our return tickets. Not how long are we staying? But can they see our return tickets? We broke out laughing. Immigration was. It’s a ‘natural inquiry,’ he says. I gave them our first-class boarding tickets and asked whether we looked like hustlers. We’re staying at the St. Regis for three nights. They allowed us pass. There’s no need to present any tickets again.
“Walahi, I will never live in Europe again.” All we need is a powerful. But we all know it’s getting worse.”
Mary Remmy Njoku was just selected to Forbes’ list of the 50 most powerful women in Africa for 2023.
