Ambassador-designate, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said he has now been reassigned to South Africa as Nigeria’s High Commissioner by President Bola Tinubu following reports surrounding his earlier diplomatic posting to Germany.
He disclosed this on Thursday via a post on his verified Facebook page.
The Federal Government had weeks earlier announced Fani-Kayode’s posting to Germany, but he did not assume duty, amid reports suggesting that he was rejected by the European country.
However, he said he personally turned down the Germany posting, insisting that he was not comfortable with it for “personal reasons” and because he had lived in Europe for most of his life.
He wrote: “It gives me pleasure to announce the fact that Mr. President has graciously approved my posting as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa.
“This came a few days after the initial posting to Germany was announced and after I made a formal representation to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, that I was not comfortable with Germany for a number of personal reasons and given the fact that I had lived in Europe most of my life I would prefer to go to South Africa which is a country that I had never been to and for which I have so much interest.
“I also expressed the fact that I would rather serve in a country that shares some of my convictions, beilefs and values when it comes to world affairs, that has the biggest economy in Africa, that has closer ties to Nigeria and that is more proximate to my political thinking when it comes to foreign affairs and a pan African vision.
“I therefore made an application for a redeployment to South Africa two days after the initial announcement was made and I am pleased to say that after the then Foreign Minister (H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar) heard my reasons he considered them favourably after which he conveyed the request to Mr. President who graciously approved it.
“I will be eternally grateful to Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this favourable consideration.
“I also take this opportunity to thank Senator Sam Enang, who was originally posted to South Africa and who was pleased to go to Germany instead, to agree for a straight swap.”
Fani-Kayode dismissed reports that Germany rejected him, describing them as false and malicious, and alleging that they were intended to embarrass him and the Federal Government.
He said the claims were “a total and complete fabrication” based on hearsay and gossip, adding that the publication behind the report had acted irresponsibly.
He also said preliminary findings suggested the report was sponsored, and accused those behind it of attempting to damage his reputation.
Fani-Kayode added that the matter had been reported to relevant security agencies, while his legal team had been instructed to pursue a defamation suit.
He further challenged those behind the report to provide documentary evidence of any alleged rejection from Germany.
Reiterating his position, he said he voluntarily requested redeployment and that no formal rejection occurred.
Fani-Kayode concluded by expressing readiness to serve as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, describing the country as one he admires for its history and regional significance.
