South African High Commissioner in Abuja

From OKORO CHINEDU in Lagos, Nigeria
LAGOS – SOUTH Africa is not xenophobic is committed to embracing foreign nationals, a South African envoy has said in Nigeria.
South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, said this while addressing a trade and investment seminar in Lagos, his sentiments coming weeks after attacks on Nigeria nationals in the Southern African country.
He said South Africa remained committed to building a society based on democratic values of social justice, human dignity, equality, non-racialism, non-sexism and the advancement of human rights.
Mnguni added his country and Nigeria were working tirelessly to salvage the situation and urged the business fraternity to play a role in making sure that these efforts did not fall back.
“Let us work together in partnership, towards building a better future for our people in our countries and Africa in general,” he appealed.
Nigeria has reported over 100 of its citizens had been killed in South Africa over the past two years.
They are accused of perpetrating crime.
Meanwhile, Mnguni said South Africa was optimistic about consolidating economic ties with Nigeria.
The two are the continent’s leading economies.
Approximately 120 South African firms are operating in Nigeria in various sectors such as engineering, telecommunications, construction, aviation, media, hospitality, banking, entertainment, real estate, retail and oil and gas exploration.
– Guardian