NAN-H-68
Envoy
By Precious Akutamadu
Port Harcourt, Feb. 15, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian community in South Africa has commended the Consul-General, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, for protecting the interests of Nigerians in that country.
Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, the President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday.
Anyene said the community was informed by the Nigerian Mission that the envoy had been recalled and was due to return to Nigeria on Feb. 20.
He stated that representatives of various Nigerian groups in South Africa were full of praises for Okeke for her untiring efforts in promoting the welfare of Nigerians.
“ The Nigerian community in South Africa appreciates the good work done by the envoy during her tenure. She impacted positively on our people.
“ Credit must be given to her for the role she played during the xenophobic attacks against foreigners.
“ The ambassador travelled to all the cities and met Nigerians affected by the attacks, assisted them to resettle and also met South African government officials.
“ She is the only envoy that did that in South Africa,” Anyene said.
He said that at an emergency national congress of the union and a gathering of representatives of Nigerians in South Africa, it was unanimously agreed to canvass that the envoy`s service be extended.
“ Representatives of various Nigerian ethnic groups, academics, women group and members of Nigerian union in the nine provinces of South Africa urged the government to extend the ambassador`s service.
“ The women league of our union argued that the envoy is Nigeria`s only female Consul General serving the country in the world,” he said.
Anyene said that the resolution of the people would be sent to the government “ any moment from now” to extend her service. (NAN)
PA/MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mike Mbonye/Mufutau Ojo)