OKAMGBA JUSTICE GODFREY
It was a night of fun, glamour and glitz as South Africans in Nigeria on Tuesday celebrated the Freedom Day at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
In grand style, members of the diplomatic corps with friends of the country in Nigeria marked the liberation of South Africa and its people from a long period of colonialism and white minority domination.
The Freedom Day is an annual event usually celebrated on the 27th of April to commemorate the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa. Hence, South Africa celebrates Freedom Day to mark the liberation of her citizens from a long period of apartheid and colonialism.
Speaking at the event, Lulu Louis Mnguni, South African High Commissioner to Nigeria said apart from celebrating its liberation, Freedom Day allows South Africans to reflect on the progress they have made in moving South Africa forward.
“This also provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made since 1994. Our nation has made great progress in promoting the values of freedom and democracy, ensuring that human rights are raised,” said Mnguni.
According to him, South Africa has made significant progress in delivering basic services to the people and at the same time changed the social and economic conditions of many of our citizens.
“The Freedom Day wouldn’t have become a success if a country like Nigeria didn’t render their support”, he added. He expressed gratitude to Nigerian government for been supportive in their fight for freedom, stating that this time gives Africans the room to celebrate the heroes and heroines of our democracy.
“The memories of great African leaders such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nelson Mandela and Obafemi Awolowo will never cease to exist in our entire generation, they were indeed great leaders in Africa, he said.
Further, Consul General, Darkey Africa emphasized that Nigeria and South Africa have the potentials to moving Africa forward considering their economic muscles and dominance in Africa.
“If the bilateral tie between Nigeria and South Africa is strengthened, Africa would become a better continent. South Africans have over 120 companies across the different sectors of the Nigerian economy and we believe that the two countries if continuously work together would catapult Africa to the next level”. South African government is committed to social cohesion and nation- building”, D.E Africa added.
However, Ademola Abbas, Lagos State Government representative believes that South Africa has great strides in terms of moving the nation forward, stressing that that Nigeria-South African relationship will never die.
“Nigerian has been in good relationship with South Africa and I strongly believe that this relationship has always yielded positive. Even if South Africa forgets Nigeria, I don’t think Nigeria will ever forget South Africa, he said.
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