“Not Goodbye!” -Outgoing Envoy Says Nigeria Now ‘Home Away from Home’

South Africa’s outgoing Consul-General to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, has described his nine-year diplomatic posting in the country as a deeply transformative experience, declaring that Nigeria has become a “home away from home” as he prepares to depart.

In an emotional farewell message that has resonated across diplomatic and social circles, Moroe said his exit was not a final goodbye but a temporary parting, anchored on enduring ties forged during his nearly decade-long stay.

“As I bid farewell to Nigeria after nine unforgettable years, my heart is full — heavy with goodbye, yet light with gratitude,” he disclosed.

Reflecting on his stewardship, the envoy expressed appreciation to the South African government for the opportunity to serve, noting that representing his country in Nigeria had been “the privilege of my life.”

He added, “I believe I have carried that trust as a sacred duty each day.”

Moroe reserved special praise for Nigeria and its people, whom he credited for making his stay memorable beyond official engagements.

According to the envoy, the hospitality he received transcended formal protocol and evolved into genuine human connection.

“You welcomed a stranger from Pretoria with jollof on his plate, music in his ears, and warmth in every handshake,” he said, recalling the familiar greetings he embraced over time: “How far… how you dey… I dey fine… well done.”

Describing Nigeria as a nation of contrasts and character, Monroe highlighted experiences from across the country, noting that “from the buzz of Lagos traffic to the quiet dignity of Abuja’s sunsets, from Kano’s ancient walls to Calabar’s carnival colours, you showed me a nation that dances through storms and laughs with its whole chest.”

The diplomat noted that while official duties defined his presence, it was the personal relationships built over time that left the deepest impact.

“In the halls of diplomacy I found partners. In your markets, churches, mosques, and boardrooms I found teachers. But in your homes… I found family,” he shared.

He further revealed how he was affectionately embraced by Nigerians, recounting how he was called “Uncle Bobby,” “Oga on Top,” and “Oga Kpatakpata,” titles he said he wore with pride. “Friends became brothers and sisters,” he added.

Moroe also drew parallels between Nigerian communal values and the African philosophy of Ubuntu, stating that the spirit of shared humanity he encountered reaffirmed continental bonds.

“You taught me that Ubuntu lives here too — ‘I am because we are’ — spoken in a hundred languages, but felt the same,” the diplomat declared.

Summing up his experience, the outgoing envoy described his time in Nigeria as more than a diplomatic assignment.

“These nine years were not just a posting; they were a love story. Nigeria tested me, stretched me, and ultimately transformed me,” he stated, adding that he leaves “a better diplomat, a better man.”

Even as he departs, Moroe said parts of him would remain in Nigeria, citing enduring memories tied to places and people.

“A piece of my spirit remains on the Lekki Bridge at sunrise, in the drums of Durbar, in the laughter of colleagues, and in the countless hands that held mine when duty was heavy,” he assured.

Reiterating that his departure does not signal a permanent separation, he concluded with a message of continuity and hope: “This is not goodbye — it is a short break, for the world is round. Until we meet again.”