The Nigerian community in Gabon has raised the alarm over alleged inhuman treatment and challenges they face, primarily due to the high-handed actions of the Nigerian Embassy staff.
President of the Nigerian Community in Gabon, Chief Nwanevu C. Gordian, has called on the Nigerian government and relevant authorities to intervene and address these concerns.
In a statement released by Chief Gordian, he alleged that Mr Godwin O. Okoloho, the Chargé d’Affaires at the Nigerian Embassy in Gabon, whose tenure has reportedly elapsed, has made life increasingly difficult for both the leadership of the Nigerian Community and Nigerians residing in the country. Chief Gordian accused Mr Okoloho of crippling the leadership of the Nigerian Community by ensuring it could not function properly and of segregating the people by distributing leadership cards to non-officers of the association.
The statement highlighted how Mr Okoloho’s tenure had been marked by alleged “high-handedness, menace, constant threats, harassment, repatriation, and imprisonment” of those who disagreed with him. Chief Gordian claimed that these issues were not just isolated incidents but part of a broader campaign to undermine the leadership of the Nigerian Community in Gabon.
“You all are aware of the rumours of the alleged letter written to the Nigerian authorities to retain Mr Godwin O. Okoloho, The Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy here in Gabon after his period of mission here has elapsed. His stay here has never been easy for all well-meaning Nigerians here in Gabon,” Chief Gordian stated. He further called for Mr Okoloho to be replaced by another diplomat in accordance with the Extant Laws of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and those of Gabon.
The Nigerian Community leadership has distanced itself from any alleged letters seeking Mr Okoloho’s continued stay in Gabon, labelling such efforts as fraudulent and damaging to the peace, tranquillity, and unity that Nigerians in Gabon have been striving to maintain.
Chief Gordian expressed concerns over the financial burdens on Nigerians travelling to China for business in a related development. He alleged that Nigerians are being forced to pay a mandatory fee of 10,000 FCFA at the Nigerian Embassy each time they need to obtain a visa from the Chinese Embassy. According to Chief Gordian, this practice is part of a broader strategy by Mr Okoloho to create sectional groups within the Nigerian Community, further undermining the authority of its elected leadership. The Nigerian Community in Gabon is now calling for urgent intervention from the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant authorities to address the situation.
They seek a resolution to these issues and establish a more conducive environment for Nigerians living and working in Gabon. The community leaders are urging the perpetrators of these alleged injustices to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian Community leadership and Nigerians in Gabon. As the situation develops, the Nigerian community in Gabon remains hopeful that the Nigerian government will take swift action to resolve these challenges and restore stability and harmony among its members.
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