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, beilefs 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.
I will be eternally grateful to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this favourable consideration.
I also take this opportunity to thank Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa and who was pleased to go to Germany instead, to agree for a straight swap.
I take this opportunity to once again confirm that this was my choice and that Germany NEVER rejected me, which was a fake report that was published in an irresponsible online magazine that thrives on sensationslism, lies and blackmail.
Their story was not only irresponsible and insulting but was also a total and complete fabrication based on hearsay, beer parlour talk and cheap gossip and designed to embarass my goodself, the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Worse still they listed a number of clearly outlandish and absurd reasons for this purported and fake "rejection" which they patched together and concocted reflecting the malevolent condition of their perverse imagination.
Our findings after a preliminary investigation was that the story was not only sponsored but was also written with malicious intent and designed to hurt and destroy my career and bring me into both national and international opprobium and disrepute.
We have reported the online magazine and the individuals that are behind it with a petition to the relevant security agencies for necessary action.
I have also briefed my lawyers to take up the matter and we shall be suing the them in a civil action for defamation.
What actually happened was that the day an "agreement" was sent to South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was on March 13th, it was leaked to them and they falsely and maliciously reported that it was sent only because I had been formally rejected by Germany which they knew to be false.
They attempted to establish falsehood as fact and this is unacceptable and far below the par of professionalism and proper journalism.
If there was such a formal rejection I challenge them to bring the proof with documentary evidence.
I repeat this never happened and I urge the media to be far more circumspect with such reports.
This statement has been made necessary due to the concern that many of my friends and loved ones have expressed over the matter and in an attempt to set the record straight.
God-willing, I look forward to serving as Nigeria's Ambassador to South Africa, a nation that I admire and respect given its remarkable and inspiring history.
(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Ambassador-Designate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to South Africa)
"it will get better" - yet we watch our follow citizens go through this daily and go about our businesses like it is normal, one day these men will come knocking on our doors and it will be too late to do a thing.
Imagine the kind thing of publicity we get, reason why Nigeria is seen as a "shithole". No form of accountability from those in power and citezens clap for them when give a plate of rice.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu just left Nigeria for France…
At a time when insecurity, inflation, and tension are rising.
Leadership or escape? 🤔
#NigeriaPolitics
@Big_Sinudo When it is time for resources, Eleme is part of Ogoni. Since you saw Wike projecting Nle, he is no longer part of Ogoni. Using tribalism to push your failed agenda. Is Eleme not part of Rivers State, and why will picking someone from Eleme be a problem to Gokana, Tai, and Khana?
@Kingprince006 Why did he not use him during the last election. The only reason why Sim could not win wike was cause Sim was not a politician, wike will chose another Sim over a known politician any day. So Nle is out of the picture. Would love that for him if it works
Missing Person Alert!! ‼️‼️‼️‼️
A young Nurse has been declared missing. She went to provide nursing care to a patient at home 6days ago around Mile2 Aiyetoro and she has not been seen, found or heard from since then.
Her name is ovansa Khadijat.
Please help us retweet and share.
Cc @PoliceNG@followlasg@LagosPoliceNG
Any relevant information can be sent to her friend NurseMogbekeleoluwa @rachealray295 who raised the alarm here.
Health workers should not be losing their lives while providing services at home for people in need.
Pls help retweet this.
Let’s help find Nurse Khadijat.
Please we are still looking for Dorcas, please put her in your prayers.
This happened in Ile-Ife, Osun State. If you have any information please reach out to me.
MISSING PERSON ALERT 🚨
Please help us find Annie, a 300-level student of History and International Studies at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).
Retweet to spread the word