The Vice President, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo, has assured Nigerians in South Africa that the Federal Government will do all in its powers to protect Nigerians anywhere in the world.
Speaking at an interactive session on Tuesday with the Nigerian Community in Cape Town, South Africa, Sambo said: “You are our ambassadors.
“We expect a lot from you.
“Nigeria will go to any length to protect good Nigerians.
“You, therefore, have the responsibility to ensure that you are good Nigerian ambassadors in South Africa.”
He used the occasion to implore Nigerians in South Africa and other parts of the world to look inwards and explore the various investment opportunities that abound in Nigeria, especially in the power, agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and transport sectors, so as to facilitate the speedy achievement of the Transformation Agenda.
Sambo commended the efforts of the Nigerian security agencies in tackling the security challenges in the country, while also lauding their ability to quickly learn the ropes of tackling terrorism, which he noted was new to Nigeria.
He stated that government was working hard to put in place the necessary infrastructure that would attract investment needed for the development of the country, noting that Nigeria currently imports goods worth over N500 billion from South Africa.
Sambo, who is in South Africa for the 8th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting, added that the Federal Government as part of its efforts to address infrastructural deficit, was constructing new thermal and hydropower power plants, revitalising the comatose railway system, reorganising the agricultural sector and also upgrading healthcare facilities, adding that government was making efforts to ensure cheap and accessible financing for the private sector to thrive.
Responding to questions on the possibility of the diaspora voting in the 2015 general election, Sambo stated that government was working with the National Assembly to ensure that it was achieved.
Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Union Western Cape, Azu Okpoaraugo, commended the mature way the Federal Government handled the diplomatic row between the two countries.
He stated that there were about 15,000 Nigerians living in Cape Town, contributing positively to the formal and informal sectors of the province.
He however, informed the Vice President of the challenges faced by Nigerians living in the province, who had to travel several kilometres to Johannesburg to access consular services.
He therefore appealed to the Federal Government to consider opening a consular office in Cape Town to facilitate easy access to all consular services.
Present at the event were the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakingari; Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, Defence; Minister of Defence, Haliru Mohammed; Minister of Mines and Steel, Musa Sada; and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru.