BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – The Nigerian Government has urged its citizens living in Eswatini to respect the laws of the Kingdom and conduct themselves responsibly, while assuring them that their welfare and safety remain a priority.
The call was made by Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, in a goodwill message to Nigerians living in South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho and beyond as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.
Okey-Uche urged Nigerians living abroad to remember that their conduct reflects on their country and encouraged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they reside.
“As Nigerians living abroad, we also carry a very important responsibility. Wherever we live, we remain representatives of our great nation,” she said.
“Let us therefore hold our Nigerian identity with dignity, confidence and respect.”
The message, reported by Nigerian newspaper Vanguard on October 1, comes as Nigeria continues to emphasise responsible citizenship among its nationals living across the region.
Okey-Uche said the Nigerian diplomatic mission remained concerned about the welfare of its citizens in Southern Africa, particularly amid concerns surrounding passport services, safety and threats of xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks.
She assured Nigerians that their concerns were being heard and that the Federal Government and its diplomatic missions remained engaged in addressing challenges affecting citizens abroad.
“We are not sleeping over this matter. We are continuing to demand that the concerns before us receive the attention they deserve, and efforts are ongoing to push for urgent practical interventions,” she said.
The Consul-General stressed that behind every passport or safety concern was a Nigerian with a family, business, profession or important personal obligation, making it necessary for such matters to receive serious and sustained attention.
“Fellow citizens, we hear you. The Federal Government hears you. Your Diplomatic Missions hears you, and there is genuine concern about the difficulties confronting our people,” she said.
Her message also carried a strong appeal for responsible behaviour in host countries, particularly as Nigerians continue to live, work and conduct businesses across Southern Africa.
Okey-Uche said Nigerians abroad should remain constructive and responsible, while maintaining the dignity of their national identity.
The emphasis on respecting host-country laws is consistent with the wider position of Nigeria’s Federal Government on citizens living abroad. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently urged Nigerians in the diaspora to respect the laws of their host countries and uphold Nigeria’s good name.
For Nigerians living in Eswatini, the message provides a reminder of the importance of positive relations between foreign communities and their host country, while highlighting the role of responsible conduct in strengthening people-to-people ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Okey-Uche also used the Independence Day message to encourage Nigerians to remain hopeful and constructive despite challenges confronting some of their communities abroad.
She described Nigeria as a country with immense human capacity, abundant natural resources and remarkable resilience, saying its journey over 66 years had included both challenges and progress.
The envoy further acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the Federal Government’s reform programme, expressing hope that ongoing efforts to strengthen the economy and expand opportunities would translate into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
“Our hope is not blind. It is founded on the enduring strength of the Nigerian people and our capacity to overcome difficult moments,” she said.
She expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future and urged citizens to embrace unity, responsibility and patriotism.
“Nigeria is rising. Nigeria remains a great country, with an even greater future,” she declared.
The message also reinforces the importance Nigeria places on its diaspora, including communities living in countries such as Eswatini, where Nigerian nationals contribute to business, professional services and other sectors of society.
Okey-Uche’s appeal therefore combines a commitment by the Nigerian Government to protect and assist its citizens abroad with an expectation that those citizens will reciprocate by respecting the laws, customs and institutions of their host countries.
For Eswatini, the message represents a positive diplomatic reminder that responsible conduct by foreign nationals can contribute to peaceful coexistence and stronger relations between communities.
The Nigerian envoy’s remarks were carried by Vanguard and subsequently reported by other Nigerian news outlets, making the Eswatini reference part of Nigeria’s public Independence Day message to its citizens across Southern Africa.
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