Follow Us on Google
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Diplomatic Watchers Association has expressed dismay over a press statement issued by Chris Juwon Fayomi, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Diaspora, in which he passed a vote of no confidence on the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Australia, Ambassador (Dr) Jane Bassey Adams.
Fayomi had, in a statement made available to the media, passed a vote of no confidence on Adams over what he described as dereliction of duty.
He also called on the government to expedite action on the deployment of a substantive envoy.
But in a statement issued in Abuja by Momodu Jude and Audu Anthony, President and Secretary respectively, the Diplomatic Watchers Association passed a vote of confidence on Adams, whom it said has served the country meritoriously in the various Nigerian missions to which she had been assigned, earning her current position, in addition to her role as Nigerian Ambassador-Designate to Jamaica.
The group questioned why Fayomi is showing persistent special interest in the assignments of the acting high commissioner rather than focusing on his studies abroad.
Other News
The Diplomatic Watchers Association also questioned when it became necessary for the head of mission to attend every event, whether an invitation was extended to her or not.
“For clarity sake, invitation to the functions Fayomi mentioned in his press statement were responded. Instead of accepting the response, he resorted to ill tempered expressions with a view to denigrate and disparage in public, his untamed attitude to erode the values of the acting high commissioner who may have already had her schedules mapped out.”
It also said that there is no such registered Association of Nigerian Students in Australia, as it is not incorporated.
The duly registered Nigerian community, also known as the Council of Nigerian Association Presidents in Australia (CoNAPA), which represents Nigerians’ interests, appreciates the work Ambassador Adams is doing through constant engagement and ensuring that their interests are well represented, and would not support any of the allegations levelled against the high commissioner, stating that Fayomi is seeking attention and does not represent the Nigerian community and students in Australia.
The association called on the general public, particularly the Nigerian community in Australia, to disregard Fayomi’s uncomplimentary remarks in both social media and traditional media.
The group warned that any attempt by Fayomi to further taint the hard-earned reputation of the acting high commissioner would be met with serious consequences.
