Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has narrated an encounter at the South African Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, where he and 14 other envoys presented letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Giving an update on activities during the diplomatic event, Fani-Kayode said each of the envoys gave speeches at the ocassion.

However, he said when it go to his turn, officials of the South African Presidency refused to air his speech.

The Nigerian diplomat said he drew the attention of Ramaphosa to the incident, explaining that the South African leader waded in and asked the officials to do what was right.

He said before the situation could be savaged, it was already late, narrating that in protest, he declined an interview request by South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

“It was a great and historic morning today at the South African Presidential Guest House in Pretoria where I had the honor and privilege of presenting my letters of credence to His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa.”

“The President of the Republic of South Africa, along with Ambassadors from 14 other countries. It was a beautiful and historic occasion which witnessed the first posting of a substantive Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of South Africa in four years.

“The entire event was livestreamed by @PresidencyZA (the South African Presidency) where millions of Nigerians, South Africans, Africans and members of the international community were watching in real time.

“Every single one of the 15 Ambassadors that were present were introduced formally and gave a speech. Curiously the South African Presidency refused to air the introduction of my good self and the Nigerian delegation or to air my speech.

“They went a step further by cutting us out of the livestream completely and went back on livestream only after my speech was concluded. Of all the 15 introductions and speeches that were made and delivered this morning only Nigeria’s was cut out.

“I raised the issue with President Ramaphosa directly during the course of the photo session and whilst we were still on the premises and, in fairness to him, he took me to the relevant officials and acted with despatch.

“Right there in my prescence he questioned them and directed them to resolve the issue immediately. Sadly by then it was too late and Nigeria had been left out. To be clear, I repeat, we were the ONLY ones that were left out.

“Clearly some elements in South Africa do not want to hear what we have to say or see our faces but we are here to stay as long as we are welcome and have the confidence of President Ramaphosa, which I am sure we do.

“Luckily for us there were at least two Nigerian television stations at the event and all that I had to say was fully recorded by them and will be released to the Nigerian public.

“Whilst still on the premises, when offered an interview by @SABCNews (the South African State Broadcaster), I turned them down as a consequence of the deplorable way we were treated and I told them to go and listen to my speech instead which their Presidency officials had refused to air.”

Fani-Kayode, who has been very critical of South African authorities over Xenophobia, vowed not to tolerate disrespect against the black most populous nation on earth.

“One thing is clear, I have immense respect and affection for South Africa and the South African people but I will not be anywhere or tolerate anyone that disrespects or treats our Government or our people flippantly.”

“My thanks goes to President Ramaphosa for his concern and timely intervention. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God bless the Republic of South Africa,” he said. (Daily Trust)