The Presidency on Monday said Nigeria has not recalled her chargé d’affaires to South Africa as a result of the recent xenophobic attacks that occurred there.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said the issue of the recall could be a mix-up.
There had been reports that the Nigerian government had recalled her representative to the country, as the xenophobic attacks escalated.
This resulted in a reaction by South Africa which described the action as unfortunate and reminded Nigeria that South Africa did not recall her representative when the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed, killing scores of the country’s citizens.
But Abati said the Charge D’Affairs was merely invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for routine consultation.
“It is not true that Nigeria has recalled its envoy in South Africa on account of recent xenophobic attacks in that country,” he said.
“There is a mix up and misinformation on the matter. The truth is that Nigeria has not recalled his envoy from South Africa.
“What has been done is to invite the Charge D’Affairs in that country for routine consultation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
He added that recall of envoy is a serious and sensitive matter and that has not happened.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has commiserated with the government and people of Nepal over the earthquake that claimed lots of the lives in the country.
He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the government and people of Nepal over the loss of thousands of lives in the devastating earthquake that has occurred in the country.
“President Jonathan notes that the tragedy has caused deep sorrow, not just for the Nepalese but all humanity.
“The President assures the government and people of Nepal of the deepest sympathy and solidarity of the people of Nigeria as they mourn those who lost their lives to the earthquake and begin the onerous task of rehabilitating survivors and rebuilding affected parts of their country.
“President Jonathan also assures the Nepalese government of Nigeria’s preparedness to join other sympathetic nations in assisting the people of Nepal to overcome the damage and destruction caused by the earthquake.”
