The President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, says the body is determined to protect the interest and welfare of Nigerians in that country.

Anyene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Pretoria, South Africa, that the union had implemented some key programmes aimed at uniting and protecting Nigerians in South Africa.

He said the body is particularly interested in ensuring the unity of Nigerians in various provinces of South Africa to enable them speak with one voice.

``The present executive of the Nigeria Union has opened new offices in some wards in the provinces.

`` The idea is to carry our people along and ensure that decisions and issues concerning Nigerians get to them at the ward level.

`` We are happy to know that some key programmes like the identity card, monthly publication known as NaiRand News and opening of our National Secretariat have been carried out,’’ he said.

According to Anyene, Nigerians in South Africa now have one Identity card with bio data of the country’s passport embedded on it while the monthly publication will contain stories about Nigerians.

``In addition to all these, there is a permanent secretariat where Nigerians can easily access information about their welfare and policies or issues affecting them,`` he said.

Anyene, however, advised members of the union who lost in the recent election to continue contributing their quota to its improvement.

He said that the election was not a do-or-die affair, stressing that such members could still win in future.

The president also urged such members to stop promoting ethnic sentiments in the union as the body was for all Nigerians. (NAN)

Photo shows Jacob Zuma