By Emma Emeozor
The Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, Cllr Michael Situ, has honoured Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafa Tunji Isola with an award for his outstanding services and improving the image of Nigeria during his tour of duty.
The ‘Excellent Stewardship Award’ was presented by the Mayor to Isola on Sunday, October 1, 2023, during the celebration of Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary held at the Council Headquarters, Tooley Street, London.
The event tagged, “Integration and the Nigerian Perspective,” was organised by the Mayor to celebrate Nigeria, and also to highlight the challenges facing Nigerians in Britain. Presenting Southwark Council plaque of excellence and a selection of other Southwark Council memorabilia consisting of the Southwark flag, tie, lapels, scarf and umbrella to Isola, CIIr Situ expressed sadness over the end of Isola’s tenure as Nigeria’s envoy to the UK. He said: “It is sad that the community will potentially be losing the High Commissioner soon. Wherever you go in this world, Your Excellency, we want you to remember us and also fly the Southwark flag.”
Continuing, he said: “His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola interacted and engaged very well with the British and Nigerian communities in the United Kingdom.”
He explained the significance of the award, saying, “The award is a parting gift from the community to the High Commissioner in appreciation of his excellent accomplishments, his support, and his strong voice during his brief tenure.
“Southwark Council takes pride in recognising those who have contributed to the development of both the area and its people,” he said.
In his response, Isola appreciated the Mayor for organising the forum to discuss issues around integration and the Nigerian perspective on the occasion of the country’s National Day.
Commenting on the issues raised during the panel discussion, the High Commissioner encouraged Nigerians in the UK to forge a common objective and see diversity as an asset, and not a liability.
“Patriotism, bonding, networking and oneness are important in a renewed relationship,” he said. He cited the example of India with 51 ethnic groups, and once they are in Britain, they become one group and the result is that a British-Indian is the current Prime Minister of Britain.
He challenged the seven members of parliament of Nigerian descent, mayors, councillors, professionals, captains in the private sector and other strategic stakeholders to meet at least quarterly to discuss strategies of addressing common concerns.
He also advised the diaspora to educate Nigerians at home not to leave Nigeria just for the sake of travelling abroad. The British society runs on skilled professionals and those without the required skills should please stay at home to engage in numerous viable enterprises.
Isola told his audience that Nigeria is still the most profitable country to do business just as he queried why some Nigerians would save N5 million only to cross to Britain and start living on the streets, an apparent reference to the “Japa syndrome.” He lamented that bankers are leaving employment to come to the ‘Island of fantasy’ thinking it is Eldorado in the UK.
He cautioned the Diaspora community not to rely on negative narratives about Nigeria and Nigerians released via WhatsApp and other social media platforms, pointing out that other nationals in Britain use such platforms to promote business activities and positive networking.
In his words, “If you promote negative narratives about Nigeria, other people in the United Kingdom will use the same microscope to profile Nigerians in the UK. Obviously, such profiling turns around to impact negatively on the Nigerian community in the UK.”
He advised Nigerians that it was time to have “a change of attitude, move from social gathering to networking and platforms to dialogue on issues affecting Nigerians in the Diaspora. We have the intellectual and human capacity, but it appears we are not optimising our potentials.”