As President Muhammed Buhari released his full list of ambassadorial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation, African Voice Editor in Chief, Mike Abiola examines the important role of a diplomat and seeks the reactions of the Diaspora community.
While reactions has been slow, many are taking time to study the list as at press time. Others who are eager to identify the states of origin of the nominees want to be anonymous. A clear indication that Nigerians in the UK are equally guilty of the tribal sentiments as those at home.
Diplomats have a crucial responsibility of negotiating and mediating in matters between governments. It is therefore important for ambassadors to understand diplomacy. Usually a career diplomat, with the advantage of experience gained over the years, can play a role in maintaining and establishing a friendly relationship with the host country.
The diplomat’s main role can be simplified as to maintaining good relations with the host country and protecting the interest of its citizenry. Diplomats get involved in negotiating treaties, political issues and trade agreements.
Developing countries such as Nigeria will benefit immensely if her foreign policies are handled by career diplomats. It will be recalled that African Voice in its special magazine supplement Nigeria Abroad issue 4 of 2015 particularly made a passionate plead to President Muhammad Buhari to ensure that career diplomats are given the responsibility of manning Nigeria’s missions especially in Europe and the Americas.
Transparency and Anti – Corruption
Nigeria recently became a signatory to the Global Anti – Corruption coalition in London involving some world leaders including Britain. Observers are keen to watch every action and subsequent appointments by Nigeria’s president especially to sensitive positions. Britain will be watching closely to see who will be posted to the UK. Nigeria is seeking assets recovery from a number of these countries. These diplomats will be active in helping to tackle the cancer of corruption that has destroyed the fabric of our society. Career diplomats and not politicians can help President Buhari’s committed drive to stamp out corruption.
The names of the Ambassadorial nominees and their states of origin are: 1. Obinna Chukwuemeka Agbugba (Abia) 2. Salisu Umaru (Adamawa) 3. Inyan Udo-Inyang (Akwa Ibom) 4. Okeke Vivian Nwunaku (Anambra) 5. Liman Munir (Bauchi) 6. Ndem Jane Ada (Benue) 7. Mohammed Hassan Hassan (Borno) 8. Martin Nyong Cobham (Cross River) 9. Janet Omoleegho Olisa (Delta) 10. Itegboje S. Sunday (Edo) 11. Olatunde Adesesan (Ekiti) 12. Lilian Ijeukwu Onoh (Enugu) 13. Manaja Tula Isah (Gombe) 14. Ngozi Ukaeje (Imo) 15. Bello Kazaure Huessini (Jigawa) 16. Enoch Pear Duchi (Kaduna) 17. Garba Baba (Kano) 18. Usman Bakori Aliyu (Katsina) 19. Umar Zainab Salisu (Kebbi) 20. Momoh Sheidu Omeiza (Kogi) 21. Kadiri Ayinla Audu (Kwara) 22. Balogun Hakeem (Lagos) 23. Inusa Ahmed (Nasarawa) 24. Ibrahim Isah (Niger) 25. Bankole Adegboyega Adeoye (Ogun) 26. Ibidapo-Obe Oluwasegun (Osun) 27. Ogundero Sakirat (Oyo) 28. Eric A. Bell-Gam (Rivers) 29. Attahiru Halliru (Sokoto) 30. Rahmatu A. Dunama (Taraba) 31. Musa Saban Mamman (Yobe) 32. Kabiru Bala (Zamfara) 33. Adamu Onoze Shuaibu (FCT) 34. Demenongu A. Agev (Benue) 35. Toko Ali Gongulong (Borno) 36. Ibrahim Hamza (Katsina) 37. Kenneth C. Nwachukwu (Imo) 38. Queen I. Worlu (Edo) 39. Emmanuel Kayode Oguntause (Ekiti) 40. Paragalda Ilyasu Audu (Adamawa) 41. Lawan Abba Gashagar (Borno) 42. Olufemi Abikoye (Kwara) 43. Habu Abubakar Gwani Ibrahim (Gombe) 44. Rabiu Akawu (Kano) 45. Nonye Udo (Anambra) 46. Odeka Janet Bisong (Cross River) 47. Sonaike Adekunbi Abibat (Ogun)
One of the early reactions to the list came from Mr. Babatunde Loye, Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK. He said, “This list does not contain names of the well – known politicians to start with, on a closer scrutiny, l have been able to spot names of some career diplomats, this is a signal that our President intends to use professionals in the crucial service of international relationships. Kudos to Mr. President as we await the confirmation and deployment to the United Kingdom, the premium Nigerian mission abroad. Nigeria’s position in the world will be further enhanced by the calibre of the ambassadorial posting to the Court of St James’s”.
