Fani-Kayode Speaks on South Africa Posting, Pledges Service to Nigeria

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Former Minister of Aviation and Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has expressed appreciation over his posting to South Africa, pledging to serve Nigeria diligently in his new diplomatic assignment.

In a statement released on Thursday, in Abuja, Fani-Kayode described the development as a welcome opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives on the African continent, also citing personal reasons and his long-standing interest in South Africa and other African countries.

According to him, having spent most of his life in Europe, he preferred to serve in an African country with closer ties to Nigeria and shared perspectives on Pan-African cooperation and international affairs.

“It gives me pleasure to announce the fact that Mr President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.

“This came a few days after the initial posting to Germany was announced and after I made a formal representation to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, that I was not comfortable with Germany for a number of personal reasons, and given the fact that I had lived in Europe most of my life, I would prefer to go to South Africa, which is a country that I had never been to and for which I have so much interest.

“I also expressed the fact that I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beliefs and values when it comes to world affairs; that has the biggest economy in Africa; that has closer ties to Nigeria and that is more proximate to my political thinking when it comes to foreign affairs and a pan-African vision.

“I therefore made an application for a redeployment to South Africa two days after the initial announcement was made, and I am pleased to say that after the then Foreign Minister (H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar) heard my reasons, he considered them favourably, after which he conveyed the request to Mr President, who graciously approved it,” Fani Kayode said.

Fani-Kayode also acknowledged the role played by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in facilitating the redeployment process, as well as Senator Sam Enang, who agreed to a redeployment arrangement that saw him move to Germany instead.

The ambassador-designate further urged sections of the media to exercise professionalism in their reportage, while dismissing narratives he described as misleading and inaccurate.

He disclosed that his legal team and relevant authorities have been briefed regarding certain publications he considers defamatory.

According to him, the statement became necessary following enquiries and concerns expressed by associates and supporters over reports circulating in parts of the media.

Fani-Kayode added that he looks forward to serving Nigeria in South Africa, which he described as a nation with a “remarkable and inspiring history”.