The President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, MrIke chukwu Anyene, said on Saturday that the body had opened new ward offices in some provinces of that country.

Addressing the 2015 National Congress of the Union in Johannesburg, Anyene said the new ward offices had assisted in coordinating the activities of Nigerians in the nine provinces of South Africa.

`` We have laid the foundation for the Nigeria Union to continue to move forward.

``We have created, through the provincial chapters, many ward offices. The Nigeria Union has gone deeper into the provinces of South Africa.

`` Recently, the Union visited the newest offices in Springbok and Orpington wards because of the crisis in those areas,`` he said.

According to Anyene, the Union is moving forward in its developmental initiatives and members are keying into them.

The president, however, urged chairmen of provinces to disseminate the information and decisions taken by the national executive to ward chairmen.

`` This will make them (ward chairmen) to be properly informed on issues and decisions taken and also give them a sense of belonging.

`` The ward chairmen are expected to pass on the same information to Nigerians living in their areas,`` he said.

Anyene said the Union was very pro-active during the xenophobic attacks in reaching out to Nigerians in South Africa with useful information and safety tips.

``During the xenophobic attacks, Nigeria Union provided leadership.

`` Our structure in Durban, Kwazulu Natal Province, coordinated with the national executive to reach out to Nigerians.

`` I must say we did well to save Nigerians during the attacks. The Union provided the leadership for citizens of other African countries affected in the attacks,`` he said.

He further said that the Union had set up all the structures needed for its administration in South Africa.

`` You are part of these achievements and we thank the provinces for being part of the Union in the service of our people in South Africa,`` Anyene said. (NAN)

*Photo shows Zuma

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