The Nigeria Union South Africa -NUSA, has stated that several issues affecting Nigerians in that country are already being addressed by Mr. Andrew Idi, the country‘s new Consul General.
The President of the union Mr. Collins Mgbo revealed this in a statement sent to the News Agency of Nigeria -NAN, from Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Mgbo expressed the union’s appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, among others, for the efforts they are making to solve their problems.
He acknowledged the speed and urgency with which Idi began to address pending issues affecting Nigerians in the southern African country within the short frame he assumed duty.
“One of such issues is the xenophobic sentiment against foreign nationals. The consul general had met with the law enforcement agencies to brainstorm how to solve the problem and so far, xenophobia has reduced greatly.
“The new consul general has resolved the issue of excessive charges that Nigerians complained about during the tenure of the previous administration in the consulate and has removed all the charges within a short period.
“He has resolved the issue of passport racketeering that was the order of the day at the consulate general’s office in Johannesburg and brought dignity back to the consulate,’’ the NUSA president declared.
“Idi has been a blessing to the community since his arrival; he has seen to all the cases that affect Nigerians from province to province, week to week, and has in many instances provided financial support to Nigerians desperately in need.
“The new consul general has proven that Nigerians can be proud in a foreign country. We are aware that groups of individuals are trying to damage his reputation already because they can no longer do as they wish at the consulate.