..Seeks for security of Nigerians, properties
As part of the efforts to ensure safety and security of Nigerians and their properties in South Africa, the Country’s Consul General, Mr. Abdulmalik Ahmed, paid a courtesy visit to the Premier of Limpopo Province Hon., Mr Stanley Mathabatha in his country home in Limpopo.
Ahmed was accompanied by the minister protocol and Nigerian matter, Mr Ezenwa Nwaobiala, and the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) Limpopo Provincial leadership led by its chairman Hon Chief Charles Oguamanam.
The Consular General also used the opportunity to visit some businesses owned and operated by Nigerians in the province. This is a prove that Nigerians are truly engaged in honest trade against the negative narrative of drug, fraud and other vices.
Limpopo Province in recent times has been in the news over the ill treatment of Nigerians raging from police brutality, nationality profiling, bias and xenophobic tendencies by the locals. The police in the province was alleged to have been highhanded on Nigerians using unconventional and bias approaches towards Nigerians.
The tour of the province by the Consular General was therefore meant to foster friendly and conducive environment for the peace and security of Nigerians in the province.
Consul Generals meeting with the Premier of Limpopo Province was mutual, with respect to the cordial relation that exist between the two nations. The CG used the opportunity to highlight the plight of Nigerians in the province and urged the Premier to look after his people.
Premier Mathabatha in his remark assured the Consul General of his commitment to ensure peace and safety of all citizens living in his province and the country at large.
The Consul General also met with the Limpopo provincial police commissioner General Nneke Jim Ledwaba. At the meeting the CG highlighted allegations of police high handedness, nationality profiling, police brutality and bias against Nigerians. The CG assured the commissioner of the Nigerian Consulate preparedness to assist the police in crime prevention and safety.
The commissioner Mr Jim Ledwaba also in return reassured the CG of the police commitment to ensuring the peace and safety of all citizens resident in the province irrespective of their nationality. He enjoin Nigerians to be law abiding and keep to the rule of law.
The CG also visited the Mayor of Limpopo Hon Thembi Nkadimeng, both agreed to work for the good of the Community irrespective of nationality.
Before the meeting with the Premier, Ahmed had earlier met in a town hall meeting with the Nigerian Citizens in Limpopo. The meeting offered the CG the opportunity to hear directly from Nigerians what their challenges are.
The deliberations to our sources at the meeting was frank and direct, followed by question and answer session.
Nigerians Citizens in Limpopo were also assisted with their passport application and renewals, by the team of officers that traveled with the CG.
NICASA President, Prince Benjamin Okoli who spoke on the initiative of the CG expressed joy saying that the group was proud to be part of the progressive initiative which is aimed at ensuring safety and security of Nigerians in the Nelson Mandela country.
