Lagos – The South African High Commissioner to
Nigeria, Mr Lulu Mnguni, on Tuesday announced his government’s plan to
commence the registration of all South Africans in Nigeria.
Mnguni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the
initiative had become necessary due to the increasing number of South
Africans working or doing business across Nigeria.
The High Commissioner said that the planned registration would assist
his government in knowing the number of its nationals in Nigeria, as
well as where they resided in the country.
“We are soon to commence the registration of all South Africans in
different parts of Nigeria, because we currently have more and more
South Africans coming to Nigeria.
“So, we feel that it is important that we know the number and
addresses of South Africans investing, working or doing business in
Nigeria.
“We also want to have a registration of South Africans in Nigeria,
so that during emergencies, my High Commission can easily come to their
assistance,’’ he said.
Mnguni also said that with the registration, it would become easier to
extend electoral booths and materials to them when they want to
participate in their country’s national elections from Nigeria.
The High Commissioner also said that such registration would assist
his commission in controlling the influx of South Africans into
Nigerian communities.
“I have seen that the number of South Africans coming to Nigeria has
increased, to the extent that we can longer control this movement
ourselves.
“This is a good development, but it is also important for us to know
who and who that is in Nigeria from our country,’’ he said.
Mnguni appealed to South Africans to prepare their minds for the
registration, which he said would also afford them the opportunity to
interact with their brothers and sisters in Nigeria.
The Envoy, who also expressed satisfaction at the growing exchange of
cultural values between both countries, said that many South Africans
were now being married by Nigerians. (NAN)
