Nigerian Community urged to promote peace in Ghana

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Chief Muslim Obanikoro, has urged the Nigerian Community in Ghana, to desist from acts of indiscipline that would mar the peaceful atmosphere the country was enjoying, but rather promote peace, especially as the country was preparing towards its general elections in December.

Ambassador Obanikoro made these sentiments, when he addressed the Nigerian Community in Ghana, at the climax of his country's 48th Anniversary celebrations in Accra, over the weekend.

According to him, the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed in the country (Ghana), was what attracted his compatriots to invest in the economy, and stressed that it would be suicidal to destroy the serenity the country was enjoying.

He said when there is an uproar in the country (Ghana), not only would it affect its citizens, but also the entire world, especially countries in the sub-region.

He, therefore, entreated his people (Nigerian Community) to live worthy lives that would reflect on the image of Nigeria, for other foreigners in the country to emulate.

“As the head of delegation of Nigeria, I am entreating you desist from acts of indiscipline. Let us translate our creation into positive things, so that Ghanaians will see the best of Nigeria,” he said.

Ambassador Obanikoro described the relationship between his country (Nigeria) and Ghana, as salt and pepper where one cannot do without the other in a soup.

He assured his people of his government's unflinching support for their stay in Ghana, and promised them of maximum protection.

He said his government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Umaru Yar' Adua, was working hard round the clock, to set a new agenda that would put the Nigerian economy on a sound footage, to prevent it from experiencing the turmoil it once experienced.

He used the occasion to inaugurate and usher into office, new executives of all the Nigerian Communities in Ghana. Pastor Dr. Prince Uche, Chairman of the All Nigerian Communities in Ghana, congratulated Ambassador Obanikoro on his new appointment, as Nigeria's High Commissioner to Ghana.

He assured him of the community's support during his stay in Ghana, and believed that he would live up to expectations.

In another development, the Igbo Welfare Union-Ghana expressed its profound gratitude for the choice of Ambassador Obanikoro to the position of High Commissioner to Ghana.

“The choice of Chief Obanikoro as the High Commissioner to Ghana, this time is in the right direction, bearing in mind he will definitely use his experience and youthful personality to galvanise all Nigerians, to be of good behaviour and respect the laws of the Republic of Ghana,” noted a statement released by the Union.

The Union was of the strong belief that the High Commissioner would work hard to take Nigeria-Ghana relations to the next level, knowing in retrospect that Nigerian and Ghana have had excellent relations, dating back to pre-colonial times.

They, however, implored Ambassador Chief Obanikoro to liaise with other relevant authorities and agencies, to speed up the implementation of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) protocols, especially the ones bordering on trade and movement of goods and services within the West African sub-region, so as to protect and guarantee any ECOWAS citizen to live, reside, and do business in any country of his or her choice, without let or any hindrance.