A Nigeria group in South Africa under the aegis of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has called on all Nigerians living in Western Cape in particular and South Africa in general to identify with the body by officially registering with the association.
The diaspora group made the call through a statement jointly issued by its Chairman Apostle (Dr.) Henry Ezumaha and Azebeokhai Leo, Deputy Chairman, Western Cape Province, and made available to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
According to the NICASA officials, the call for the registration of Nigerians living in South Africa was made ahead of its maiden “Nigeria Cultural Festival” aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nigerians billed to hold in the country later in the year.
While maintaining that NICASA is the South African Government’s official recognised body in the country, the statement revealed that through its collaborative efforts, NICASA has made it easier for Nigerians in WC to capture and get their international passports without having to travel to Johannesburg anymore.
The statement read in part: “As is to be expected, we help to deal with the welfare of Nigerians through various social and economic interventions. We also act as a bridge between Nigerians and the consulate on one hand, and Nigerians and the host community on another hand.
“One of our goals is to help build a stable and prosperous Nigerian community in Western Cape in particular and South Africa in general through the various initiatives and programs that we have carried out, and a lot more programs, activities and interventions planned for the short, medium and long term future that will benefit a lot of Nigerians.
“We go as far as helping to provide all logistics, security and organising the venue throughout days of passport interventions that usually take up to three days at our own financial cost.”
It added: “Some interventions we have carried out include but are not limited to; helping some of sick brothers settle their medical bills where they struggle to raise funds, visiting and rescuing Nigerians who have been illegally arrested and kept in jails. We go as far as engaging good lawyers to represent them.
“We have had the incident of sending a terminally ill patient to Nigeria by covering all costs associated with that process.
“Our programmes for this year are: organising the first ever Nigeria cultural festival to showcase the rich culture of the Nigerian people, stage an event to recognise, celebrate and encourage Nigerian children who excel in their academics, recognise Nigerians excelling in their various fields of endeavours and the Made-in-Nigeria and Nigerian first community initiative.”
While encouraging all Nigerians to support the association financially, physically, morally and in whatever way possible to enable it to continue to deliver proper community service to Nigerians in South Africa, NICASA however does not impose any form of levy on anyone.
NICASA is a non-profit organisation that funds all its events through the benevolence of the executive members and other well-meaning stakeholders to the benefit of all Nigerians living in South Africa.
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