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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerian envoys on the need to be deliberate in the implementation of the nation’s foreign policy.
He gave the charge at the Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja, during the presentation of letters of credence, letters of commission and letters of recall to newly appointed ambassadors.
The envoys were the Nigerian High Commissioner-Designate to Jamaica, with concurrent accreditation to Dominican Republic, Belize and Haiti and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations International Seabed Authority, Ambassador Jane Bassey Adams; the Nigerian High Commissioner-Designate to India, with concurrent accreditation to Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Ambassador Saidu Muhammad Dahiru; the Nigerian High Commissioner-Designate to the Republic of South Africa, Ambassador Femi Fani-Kayode; the Nigerian Ambassador-Designate to Hungary, with concurrent accreditation to Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia, Ambassador Abass Briamah; the Nigerian Ambassador-Designate to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Philip Ikurusi; the Nigerian Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines, Ambassador Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, among others.
The president, represented by the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said the President’s expectation of his envoys, which was obvious, was evident in what he envisioned for Nigeria at this time in terms of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Enikanolaiye also said it was the expectation of President Tinubu that the envoys take the Agenda to the rest of the world and prosecute them with the singularity of purpose and vision in a manner that harnesses the benefits of the Nigerian Foreign Policy exertion for national development.
“National development defines in terms of defence, in terms of security, in terms of job creation, in terms of poverty eradication so that Nigerians can feel more the impact of foreign policy in what we do.
“And he has asked me to emphasise the link in this context between foreign policy and domestic policy. Whatever we do at home, is what we project, and vice versa. But more importantly, by way of reiteration, foreign policy must feed more directly into national development aspirations.”
Enikanolaiye who acknowledged that resource was a major challenge, however said the government relied on the capacity of the envoys, particularly the non career envoys as major assets in terms of access.
He further said both the ministry and the envoys will partner in a manner that will eventually project and promote Nigeria’s Foreign policy objectives as anchored in the 4Ds.
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Enikanolaiye, former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the immediate Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, congratulated the envoys most heartily and wished them the very best in the discharge of their duties.
He assured them of government’s unstinting support and cooperation.
On the evacuation of Nigerians from the Republic of South Africa, Enikanolaiye said President Tinubu is committed to the welfare of Nigerians all over the world. “We are mounting the fourth flight this week and there is yet another flight that we will mount next week.”
Enikanolaiye also said the President has paid for Nigerians in South Africa to be evacuated, which was why the government was able to mount the flights almost on a weekly basis.
“That speaks to the Nigerian people.”
Responding on behalf of the envoys, Ibas expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers, the permanent secretary, the directors and staff who over the last six months, prepared them for the onerous task of representing Nigeria in various countries.
The former Chief of Naval Staff also said the envoys had been adequately groomed and prepared for the task ahead of them and quite understand the mandate of the President and what is expected of them in their various deployments.
“I want to assure you, honourable minister, that as we go out there, we will not only accomplish the mission of the Ministry, but will also proceed to ensure that Mr President’s priorities are equally achieved through our actions.
“We want to assure you also that we will project the image of Nigeria beyond where we are today,” Ibas said.
