Nigeria High Commission and the community in the United Kingdom held a befitting send-off party on Saturday, 8 August 2015 in the garden of the Abuja House residence in honour of His Excellency, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida OFR, CFR, the Nigeria High Commissioner to the Court of St James’s, who rendered a remarkable service during his almost eight years tenure.
Described as a quintessential diplomat by doyens of diplomatic circles, Dr. Tafida, or Baba Tafida as he is fondly called by many of his staff, countrymen and women, is a highly respectable achiever who is popular for his uncommon integrity and dedication to duty. Dr. Tafida’s tenure at number 9 Northumberland Avenue heralded unprecedented achievement in the history of Nigeria High Commission’s service delivery. He restored Nigeria to its pride of place through political and bilateral relations with Britain, the host nation.
At a special media parley to mark his final session with the UK’s ethnic media on Monday 10 August at the Banking Hall of the High Commission, Dr. Tafida reflected on his time in the UK and gave a full account of his stewardship. Going down memory lane, he recalled the rotten state in which he met the embassy, the building and the staff accommodation in London and Manchester. He explained how he encountered a Mission in which visa and passport touts were having a field day in collusion with members of staff at a time when UK Nigerians were paying £500 – £600 to acquire a passport.
African Voice used the opportunity to present Dr. Tafida with a Most Outstanding High Commissioner of Our Time award for his support to the organisation, Britain’s Nigerian community and the annual African Film Awards. The High Commissioner is a staunch supporter of Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry. For the last 6 years, he has supported and hosted the annual awards gala organised by African Voice Newspaper UK.
Other presentations included that of Mr Anthony Adeloye, the Mission librarian, who presented a framed picture of MPs of Nigerian heritage on a courtesy visit; and Jon Hughes, editor of Nigeria Watch, who presented Scrabble cufflinks with the High Commissioner’s initials.
Nigerians in the UK will long remember the man who has come to be identified as an exemplary leader and a ‘father’. Many wished his tenure would not end. Dr. Tafida has achieved a great deal during his time in the UK. Just to mention a few: he introduced state of the art equipment in the immigration section; he renovated and updated facilities and infrastructure in the dilapidated properties owned by the Mission. In particular, the Nigeria embassy building at Northumberland Avenue, purchased in the 1960s, and the building at Fleet Street were upgraded to 21st century standards.
For a man who many thought at the commencement of his term in office back in April 2008 was closer to his retirement, Dr. Tafida’s achievements at the Mission, compared to many of his predecessors, were outstanding. He proved to many that he is a man of sterling character. In the words of one of his staff who does not want to be named: “Some of the other High Commissioners before him would not come to work every day of the week; files would have to be taken to their residence for signatures. But Baba Tafida is regular, early and will look out for all the finer details to be achieved to the letter.”
African Voice exclusively sought to know His Excellency’s proudest moment/achievement during his diplomatic career with reference to his interaction with the host country Britain, the Commonwealth and other African ambassadors in the UK. Dr. Tafida modestly listed the joy he had when the Ministry of Interior decide to send other embassies to understudy the Mission’s Immigration Department. On political relations with Britain, he said, “Nigeria became a separate department with Nigeria having 15 staff same as 15 staff for West Africa.”
“Nigeria is now being held in high esteem by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Nigeria is now a permanent member of the Commonwealth. Each time I attend their functions, the reception l get is different. This makes me happy.” Nigeria enjoins a leadership role while other African countries follow. No decision will be taken without Nigeria being consulted.”
A number of different events were held in honour of Dr. Tafida, such as a reception by Nigeria High Commission staff and another dinner organised at The Shard by a selection of community leaders. At the flagship ceremony in Abuja House, Campden Hill, London anchored by Charles Ajayi – Khiran and Flower Abeni, over 300 guests joined the executives of the different bodies, led by the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe UK South, Nigerian Council of Elders, National Association of Nigerian Communities (NANC) and embassy staff in bidding farewell to the outgoing High Commissioner, His Excellency Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida and his wife Her Excellency Hajiya Salamatu Tafida.
Among the attendees were His Excellency, Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Olukunle Akindele Bamgbose and his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Adeyinka Abimbola Bamgbose, His Royal Majesty Oba Adedapo Tejuosho CON Osile of Oke Ona Egbaland and his Oloris, Babtunde Loye and his wife, Ambassadors from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministers/Heads of Section at the Nigeria High Commission, London.
Tributes to the High Commissioner and his wife filled almost half of the evening, seemingly with everyone wanting to have a say. It was an emotional evening as many of the attendees showered praise and prayers in recalling their experiences with His Excellency, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida. The deputy High Commissioner, Mr Bamgbose, proposed a toast to good health to a boss he admired and believed is still not tired, and who he hoped will still be there to render assistance to the mission.
In his response, Dr. Tafida recalled the day he first arrived for service and when he presented his letter of credence to Her Majesty the Queen. He paid particular tribute to his staff, especially the senior staff of the Mission, for what is regarded as his achievement. He thanked the government of Nigeria for allowing him an extended service and he acknowledged the contributions of the community to what is referred to as his achievements. He described the various Nigerian associations as a beacon of his success.
“I leave the mission in the hands of a very capable deputy, who l would recommend for the government to retain in full capacity as the substantive High Commissioner in the spirit of the change our nation is experiencing. He said, he would enjoin Nigerians in the UK to continue to support the now acting High Commissioner Mr Olukunle Bamgbose. l can never forget those l have worked with; especially the deputy, the various heads of sections, the Diplomatic Service support staff, my personal office staff, domestic staff and others who have contributed to the development of our dear country. He identified the Immigration Attaché, Alhaji Mohammed Aminu, and his department as the focal point of improvement in the Mission”.
Dr. Tafida gave special mention to CANUK’s past chairmen Dr. Mark Abani and Chief Bimbo Folayan, present chairman of CANUK Mr. Babatunde Loye. He particularly listed the Council of Elders, particularly Mrs Olowu, the former chairperson of the Elders Council and present executive led by Chief Adebayo Oladimeji, also the present NIDEO executive led by Mrs Herrietta Abrahams. He identified others who have contributed to his tenure, such as Pastor Femi Adebayo and he specifically mentioned Chief Yemisi Sanusi and Yemisi Jenkins, Jon Hughes the editor of Nigerian Watch and Mike Abiola, the Editor-in-Chief of African Voice “who has been of very good assistance to the mission.”
“My joy is in the love you all have for me and l love you all. I am happy l have enjoyed the contributions of the community, l am leaving behind a community that is coherent and a community with leadership in various cities of the United Kingdom. These were things that were not in place before”. Finally, he thanked all the guests for coming to honour him.
