By Milton Tella – The community groups under the umbrella of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) organized a sent forth dinner to honour the out-going High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola on Sunday 22nd October 2023 at the Breeze Restaurant, Chingford East London.
Hon. Ayo Akinfe, the Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) who welcomed leaders and community representatives in attendance at the paid for farewell dinner ceremony took time to appreciate Ambassador Isola.
Hon. Akinfe said, the association is not happy that the Ambassador is being recalled because of the outstanding works he achieved within a short time. He cited the clearing of the passport backlog, the renovation of the embassy building and Abuja House amongst many others.
Abidemi Dada, Secretary General of CANUK, praised Ambassador Isola for embracing everyone with open arms and particularly appreciated Dr. (Mrs) Bolanle Isola the spouse of the Ambassador for her very supportive role. She described Dr. (Mrs) Isola as an encourager to the Nigerian women in the Diaspora.
Abidemi said, “If the Ambassador was stressed at home, he would not have achieved much”.
Dr. Boma Douglas immediate past Chairman of CANUK commended the open door policy of Ambassador Isola and referred to him as a man of the people.
Otunba Bimbo Folayan, a former CANUK Chairman, described Ambassador Isola as a unique man. Folayan made reference to a striking remark by Ambassador Isola stating that Nigerians are not used to networking but preferred to socialize. He said, “We are going to miss Ambassador Isola for his words of wisdom.”
Joyce Maagbe, President of the Arewa Women’s League UK thanked the Ambassador for all his support to the various Associations. She presented the Ambassador with a parting gift.
Aqueen Ibeto, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo UK & Ireland thanked Ambassador Isola for welcoming the Igbo community in a close range and openly at the Abuja House residence. She said, “The Ambassador has made a huge difference in the High Commission, the seating arrangement, the atmosphere and workforce has changed tremendously.”
Victor Aleva, CANUK Financial Secretary and President of the TIV Union UK said, “I have never seen a High Commissioner so much involved with the Nigerian community. We cannot fathom why the Ambassador has been recalled. Ambassador Isola has built a bridge across the Niger.”
Mrs June Douglas, President Nigerian Women in the Diaspora thanked the Ambassador and his spouse, Dr (Mrs) Bolanle Isola for their support to the organization. Mrs Douglas presented a gift on behalf of her organization to Dr. Isola.
Baroness Jumoke Ariyo, Vice Chairman of CANUK and Co-ordinator of the Central Association of Ogun State Indigenes in the UK (CASSOGI UK) thanked the Ambassador for making the issue of passport issuance a priority, clearing the backlogs and taking interest in the personal problems applicants are experiencing in the UK.
Mrs Adebola Atoloye-Edmans a.k.a De bol, President of Nigerians in East London thanked the Ambassador for imparting the lives of Nigerians in the UK positively.
Cllr. Yetunde Adeshile, President of Nigerians in Essex and first Black deputy Mayor of Basildon described Dr. (Mrs) Bolanle Isola as a woman of humility. She also thanked Ambassador Isola for coming to the UK to rescue Nigerians from the passport debacle.
Cllr. Sade Etti Shobanjo, former Mayor of Hackney attested to the good works of Ambassador Isola, thanked and prayed for the Ambassador’s success in his next assignment.
Cllr. Kate Anolue, two times former Mayor of Enfield, thanked Ambassador Isola for his humility and prayed that God will continue to elevate him. Auntie Kate said, “Nigerians in the UK appreciate the Ambassador and the wife.”
Otunba Mobolaji Falase, Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders encouraged Nigerians in the UK to ensure that the legacies of Ambassador Isola are kept alive. He thanked the Ambassador for a job well done.
Dr. Alistair Soyode Founder of BEN TV praised the Ambassador for achieving beyond and above his predecessors. He said, “The Ambassador has raised Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment to 4 Trillion Naira by his actions and representation in the UK”.
Prince Mike Abiola Publisher, African Voice Newspaper and founder of the African Film Awards listed some of the achievements of the High Commissioner such as the retrieval of the stolen artefacts, embassy building renovation among other things. Prince Abiola compared the tenure of Ambassador Isola with his predecessors and stated that the media has scored the Ambassador 95% in performance. He also thanked Dr. (Mrs) Bolanle Isola as the rock behind the Ambassador.
Dr Rebecca Kral, Secretary of the TIV People in the UK emphasized some of the achievements of the Ambassador. Dr. Kral said, “When Nigeria was placed on the red list, during the Covid 19, causing considerable distress to Nigerians, the Ambassador went on global media in viral interviews stating that Nigeria has no business on that list and because of him all African countries were removed from that list. He has not only served his community well, he is international and global in outlook. He has set the bar so high and whoever succeeds him has a huge amount of work to do and a large foot to fit.
Chief Adebayo Oladimeji, former President of the Nigerian Student Union in the UK and former President of the Nigerian Council of Elders UK said he has been witnessing the happenings in the Nigeria High Commission since 1963. He commended Ambassador Isola for having done very well for his country.
Chief Oladimeji said, “Ambassador Isola has out performed his predecessors, no other has achieved what this High Commissioner has achieved in a short time.”
Ronke Ali Udofia President, Akwa Ibom Women Association and former Vice Chairman of CANUK thanked the Ambassador for being a good father and leader to us all for the period he has served.
Other guests who paid glowing tributes to Ambassador Isola include Hajia Hawa Yusuf, former international Bureau Chief, current consultant and Co ordinator of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mrs Sanyaolu President of Nigerian Caterers in the UK, Rose Graham former presenter at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), HRH Theodora Oyebade, Dr. Henry Okosun, Barrister Kayode Okenla, Bukola Oye, President Kwara State Association in the UK and many others.
Toyin Solaru Balogun TSB, said the vote of thanks on behalf of CANUK and the executives presented their parting gifts consisting of a card signed by all guests in attendance, CANUK Tee–Shirt, cap and pens branded with Ambassador’s name.
His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, in his reaction to the many accolades from the various community representatives said, “I am overwhelmed and words are not just enough to express my appreciation, knowing that people had to pay to come and honour me, l was taken aback.”
Ambassador Isola said when he was coming to London, he knew it was going to be an uphill task and he could not afford to fail.
He narrated the challenges he had to overcome during his tenure. The most challenging thing was when Nigeria was placed on the red list during Covid-19. “That was a challenge without precedent.”
He thanked the British public and the media for their support and most importantly, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby for also stating that the Nigerian Ambassador was right, as placing Nigeria on the red list was indeed travel apartheid.
Alex Vines, The director of Chatham House also said, before the coming of Ambassador Isola, Kenya was the country of focus in Africa but since January Nigeria is now the country of focus in Africa. Nigerians are more respected in Britain now.
His Excellency further said, “At the Commonwealth level, when l came here, we had lost our position to Singapore on the executives of the Commonwealth.
For the first time in history, I was appointed as Chairman of the Accreditation Committee of the Commonwealth all over the world. By July 2023 this year, other committee members were removed but l was asked to remain in office and l have therefore still retained that position for the next incoming ambassador.
What will give us pride is our status now. It is not an easy thing. There are 170 diplomatic missions in the UK and for you to have such recognition; you have a lot of work to do.
Another important high point was when President Buhari came to London and wanted to see His Royal Majesty (HRM) King Charles lll and l got him an appointment to see the king within five days. That day was one of the happiest days in my life. His Royal Majesty was supposed to be in Wales but they used the helicopter to bring him to town.”
Ambassador Isola recalled that the director of Africa at the foreign office wrote to him and one of the statements in her letter stated that, “Nigerians in the Diaspora are not happy seeing you go.”
His Excellency, further said, “I got many letters from people in British authorities and also those in government stating that they are very sad to see me go. But when you are assuming duty, you never can tell what the end would be. What l enjoy most is this glorious exit.
I am not going to miss this job but l will miss you people more. You all know the job is not an easy one. I want to appreciate the love you all have shown me. This is an uncommon thing in our nation as leaders are usually criticized. I want to thank CANUK for the support you have given me, l do appreciate it and will never take it for granted.”
The High Commissioner’s delegation to the ceremony included his spouse, Dr (Mrs) Bolanle Isola, his son Kabir Isola, Mrs Remi Onasanya Personal Assistant to the High Commissioner and David Ajadi Protocol Officer. Photo credit: CANUK
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