Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode, has formally presented his Letter of Credence to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He pledged to rebuild diplomatic relations and strengthen the historic ties between both countries.
The envoy says Nigeria and South Africa must put their shared history of solidarity to work in advancing economic cooperation and securing a stronger future for the African continent.
Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic engagement with South Africa has received a fresh boost, following the formal presentation of the Letter of Credence by Nigeria’s High Commissioner, Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode, to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The ceremony, held on Friday, November thirteenth, at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, marked the formal commencement of Fani-Kayode’s diplomatic assignment in South Africa.
Conveying the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian envoy reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to restoring the longstanding friendship between the two African powerhouses
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He recalled Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa during the struggle against apartheid, stressing that both countries had made significant sacrifices in the pursuit of freedom and African unity.
Fani-Kayode described Nigeria and South Africa as strategic trade partners whose cooperation remains critical to Africa’s economic and political future.
He also commended South Africa’s contributions to international diplomacy, particularly its role in BRICS, the Global South, and Nigeria’s inclusion in the G20.
The High Commissioner expressed optimism that the cordial relationship between Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa would provide a strong foundation for deeper bilateral cooperation.
President Ramaphosa called on the newly accredited diplomats to work closely with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation to identify practical areas of partnership.
The South African leader assured the diplomats of his government’s support, urging them to engage relevant stakeholders and deploy diplomacy as an instrument for building bridges, creating opportunities, and improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
Fani-Kayode is also concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Kingdom of Eswatini, extending Nigeria’s diplomatic representation across the three Southern African countries.
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(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
