The Nigerian Union, South Africa, says it will implement skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programme for some Nigerian youths in that country.
Mr Adetola Olubajo, its President, said in a New Year message from Pretoria, South Africa on Sunday that the programme was launched during the inauguration of its National Executive Committee in November.
“ This programme will be vigorously pursued for the collective good of our country-men who desperately need financial assistance,” he said.
Olubajo said that the union`s charity arm called “ Nigeria Cares” would receive special attention before the end of the first quarter of 2018.
“ The charity arm will benefit Nigerians and our host community.
“ Plans are underway to also intensify the frequency of our various town hall meetings across South Africa. This is where we hear the yearnings and cries from Nigerians in South Africa.
“We promise to keep our ears open and our hands working on the ground,” the president said.
Olubajo said that in 2017, the union accomplished a successful electoral process which brought in its new National Executive Committee.
According to him, the union expanded its Ward Structures in the nine Provinces of South Africa.
“ The expansion was championed by our desire to connect and engage with all members of the Nigerian Community in South Africa,” he said.
The President said that a Legal Help Desk was created to provide free legal assistance (Pro bono) to Nigerians in South Africa.
He said that the aim was to address legal issues affecting Nigerians.
“ The desk will tackle issues such as police brutality, unlawful arrests, extra-judicial killings, systematic discrimination and immigration challenges. This desk will take-off in Feb. 2018,” Olubajo said.
He stated that in 2017, some Nigeria families and their properties were severely affected by Xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Olubajo said that the union would continue to give unflinching support to the Federal government representatives in South Africa.
“Our government representatives must also be aware of divisive elements within the Nigerian Community whose modus operandi is to spread false propaganda against hardworking community leaders.
“These elements are political jobbers who are only out to benefit from a divided community,” the president said. (NAN)
