The Federal Government of Nigerian has been commended for extending relief items to the people of Zimbabwe recently affected by the disaster cyclone Idai by the
President Mnangagwa made the commendation when he received the Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama on Wednesday at the State House in Harare.
Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama expressed gratitude to the President of Zimbabwe for the warm reception accorded the Nigerian delegation. He said he was under directive from the Nigerian President to deliver relief items comprising medicines and medical equipment to the government of Zimbabwe hit by cyclone Idai.
“We are very humble to be received by His Excellency, I came to deliver on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari the sympathy of the Nigerian people.
“The gesture is a manifestation of fraternity and solidarity between our two countries and our people and I must say that we are overwhelmed by the warm reception by his Excellency.
The Zimbabwean President expressed happiness “that the leadership of Nigeria has realised that their brothers and sisters here in Zimbabwe visited by cyclone Idai need assistance.
“They brought lots of medicines and other materials to be given to people who have suffered the devastation.
“And in my own view, this is a demonstration to the people of Zimbabwe a friendship and support from Nigeria which was a front line state during the struggle for apartheid.
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“The bond between us is demonstrated by this support and assistance.
“So, to the people of Nigeria, I say the people of Zimbabwe are extremely happy and grateful for the support they have given to us.’’
“Most of us in my generation were trained in Nigeria, and that is why we are now independent and Nigeria and Zimbabwe have come a long way.’’
Mnangagwa congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the recently concluded Presidential election.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama has admonished Nigerians residing in Zimbabwe to be industrious and to respect laws of their host country.
Earlier, on Tuesday at a Town Hall meeting and Dinner with Nigerians living in Zimbabwe, the minister urged Nigerians in Zimbabwe to shun any behaviour capable portraying Nigeria in bad light in the country, adding that they have a lot to do to redeem the image of the country due to actions of few bad Nigerians.
Onyeama told the gathering that the President Muhammadu Buhari led government was determined to fully engage and integrate Nigerians in diaspora to enable them partake in the political and economic development of the country.
He assured Nigerians in Zimbabwe of the determination of Buhari administration to address infrastructure and power deficit in the country as well as tackle security challenges facing the country.
Earlier, the Nigerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Janet Bessong, said the visit of the minister would boost the relationship between Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
She said Nigeria had a very vibrant community in Zimbabwe, saying “Nigerians living here mind their business and are contributing to the economic development of the country”.
She said that when the recent tropical disaster happened, Nigerians in Zimbabwe contributed money and donated relief items to the government of the country.
In his reaction, Rev. Chris Oparaocha, an indigene of Imo State, advised the Buhari led Federal Government to redouble effort to address socio-economic and security challenges in Nigeria.
