By Ayodele Oni
Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, has revealed that he declined an interview request from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), after presenting his letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He pointed out that this was due to his exclusion from livestream of a credentials presentation ceremony in Pretoria on Friday.
Fani-Kayode alleged that South African Presidency officials deliberately excluded his introduction and speech from the livestream on television.
Fani-Kayode said he presented his letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African Presidential Guest House alongside ambassadors from 14 other countries.
He described the occasion as historic, noting that it marked the first posting of a substantive Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa in four years. The event was livestreamed by the South African Presidency.
According to the High Commissioner, all 15 ambassadors were formally introduced and delivered speeches, but Nigerian officials and Fani-Kayode’s address were the only ones cut from the broadcast.
He stated that the livestream was interrupted for the Nigerian segment and resumed only after his speech had ended.
Fani-Kayode said he raised the matter directly with President Ramaphosa during a subsequent photo session on the premises.
He claimed the President immediately questioned the relevant officials and instructed them to resolve the issue, though the exclusion had already occurred.
He added that at least two Nigerian television stations recorded the full event and that footage of his conversation with Ramaphosa would be released.
The High Commissioner further stated that he declined an interview request from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), citing the handling of the livestream, and directed the station to the speech that had not been aired.
He expressed respect for South Africa and its people while saying he would not accept treatment he views as disrespectful to the Nigerian government or its citizens. He thanked President Ramaphosa for intervening
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