UK deputy high commissioner Ambassador Kabiru Bala named as new Nigerian envoy to South Africa

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Nigerian deputy high commissioner to the UK Ambassador Kabiru Bala as new envoy to South Africa with concurrent accreditation to Swaziland and Lesotho.

Ambassador Bala, who assumed office in the UK two years ago, received his letter of credence confirming his new appointment on Monday in Abuja. Sarah Sanda, the official spokeswoman for foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama, said that the new appointment will take place immediately.

A career diplomat, Ambassador Bala joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1999 and had at different times served in Brazil, Sudan, Gambia, the Netherlands and Thailand. He also served in the State House office of the chief of staff to the president, as well as state house protocol.

Expected to fly out to South Africa immediately, Ambassador Bala will replace Ahmed Ibeto who resigned his appointment in July to join the Peoples Democratic Party. Prior to being appointed, Alhaji Ibeto had been the deputy governor of Niger State.