Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, Femi Fani-Kayode, has protested the exclusion of his introduction and speech from the livestream of a diplomatic ceremony hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Friday.
Fani-Kayode said the incident occurred when he presented his letters of credence to Ramaphosa at the South African Presidential Guest House alongside ambassadors from 14 other countries.
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He described the ceremony as historic, noting that it marked the first appointment of a substantive Nigerian ambassador to South Africa in four years.
However, the former Minister of Aviation alleged that the South African Presidency deliberately left Nigeria’s delegation out of the broadcast, which was streamed live.
According to him, all 15 ambassadors were formally introduced and given the opportunity to deliver speeches, but Nigeria’s segment was excluded.
He said the livestream was interrupted during his introduction and speech and resumed only after he had finished speaking.
Fani-Kayode maintained that Nigeria was the only country whose ambassador and delegation were omitted from the broadcast.
The ambassador said he personally raised the matter with Ramaphosa during a photograph session after the ceremony.
He added that the South African President immediately took him to the officials responsible for the broadcast, questioned them and directed them to address the issue.
However, Fani-Kayode said the intervention came too late to prevent Nigeria from being left out of the livestream.
He suggested that some individuals in South Africa might be uncomfortable with Nigeria’s presence, but insisted that he would continue his diplomatic assignment as long as he enjoyed Ramaphosa’s confidence.
The ambassador also disclosed that at least two Nigerian television stations recorded his speech and would make the footage available to the Nigerian public.
He said recordings of his complaint to Ramaphosa and the President’s intervention would also be released.
Fani-Kayode further revealed that he declined an interview request from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) following the incident.
He said he rejected the request because of what he described as the unacceptable treatment of Nigeria’s delegation, asking the broadcaster to listen to his speech instead.
Despite his complaint, the ambassador said he maintained respect and affection for South Africa and its people.
He, however, stressed that he would not tolerate any treatment he considered disrespectful to the Nigerian Government or its citizens.
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Fani-Kayode thanked Ramaphosa for his concern and prompt intervention, while expressing goodwill towards both countries.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
