Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Amb. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, has assured Nigerians living in Southern Africa that the Federal Government remains concerned about their safety and welfare, particularly over passport challenges and threats of xenophobic attacks.
According to Vanguard, Okey-Uche gave the assurance in an Independence Day message to Nigerians in South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho and neighbouring countries as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary.
The envoy said the Consulate General was aware of concerns surrounding passport services and the difficulties some Nigerians face because of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
‘We are not sleeping over this matter’
Okey-Uche said the mission was continuing to press for practical solutions to the challenges affecting Nigerians.
“We are not sleeping over this matter. We are continuing to demand that the concerns before us receive the attention they deserve, and efforts are ongoing to push for urgent practical interventions,” she said.
She stressed that every passport or security issue affects a Nigerian with personal, professional or family responsibilities.
“Fellow citizens, we hear you. The Federal Government hears you. Your Diplomatic Missions hears you, and there is genuine concern about the difficulties confronting our people,” she added.
Envoy urges Nigerians to obey host-country laws
Okey-Uche urged Nigerians living abroad to remain law-abiding and conduct themselves responsibly.
“As Nigerians living abroad, we also carry a very important responsibility. Wherever we live, we remain representatives of our great nation,” she said.
“Let us therefore hold our Nigerian identity with dignity, confidence and respect.”
She also urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the challenges they face abroad.
Nigeria marks 66 years of independence
The envoy described the anniversary as an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s history and renew confidence in its future.
“Independence is more than a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of our collective identity, our shared heritage and our responsibility to future generations,” she said.
Okey-Uche said Nigeria still possesses enormous human and natural resources despite its challenges.
She also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, expressing hope that they would eventually translate into improved opportunities and living conditions for Nigerians.
“Our hope is not blind. It is founded on the enduring strength of the Nigerian people and our capacity to overcome difficult moments, such as is the case now in some hotspots of South Africa,” she said.
Igbo union calls for unity
Meanwhile, National Secretary of Igbo Union South Africa, Ezeanozie Eleberi, called for greater national unity and cooperation.
Eleberi said Nigerians of Igbo extraction in South Africa remained committed to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
He argued that nation-building requires cooperation across regions and political interests.
Eleberi also urged Nigerians in the diaspora to obey the laws of their host countries and continue projecting a positive image of Nigeria.
