Buhari: Where are the Ambassadors to USA and Britain?
"Nigerian diplomats often complain about the absence of policy briefs from Abuja. Under Buhari, there seems to be no change in the position. If anything, it may have worsened. As part of Buhari’s foreign bustle, top Nigerian diplomats ought to be invited to Abuja for consultations so that they know how to help the government chart the new route forward, if there is one. You cannot be indifferent libraries and speak about being on the same page.
If finding support for Nigeria’s anti-corruption offensive and economic recovery is our objective, for instance, all countries are important, but some are indispensable. Take the United Kingdom, for instance. Only recently, Paul Arkwright, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria of the readiness of his country to repatriate various looted Nigerian funds being held there.
"Clearly, there are legal requirements that we have to meet,” he said, adding: “We are working with the
Nigerian Government to see what we can do to return those funds.” Another such country is the United States, a key Nigeria supporter on this quest and others, according to President Buhari’s own account.
Beyond that, there is close to a billion dollars, perhaps much more, in different Nigeria loot
repatriation files in the US. Despite that, Nigeria does not have an ambassador the USA! Strange, but true: Professor Adewole Adefuye died in August 2015, seven months ago. He has not been replaced. Who is the US working with?
Also currently empty is the office of Nigeria’sPermanent Representative to the United Nations.
Professor Joy Ogwu, who occupied that position for many years, retired at the end of 2015, a few month after the UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals plan. She has not been replaced, either, and it
is almost as if the UN doesn’t matter. If Nigeria’s key diplomatic outposts are not being manned and those that are manned are considered only to be part of Buhari’s spectatorship, who speaks for the country and advances her interests when he is in bed? I have cautioned against the delusion that only President Buhari can turn Nigeria around.
His best bet for the Nigeria dream is to find, groom, and motivate a team of men and women who can accomplish giant strides whether he is asleep or awake, at home or abroad, healthy or sick."
.--Sonala Olumhense
If finding support for Nigeria’s anti-corruption offensive and economic recovery is our objective, for instance, all countries are important, but some are indispensable. Take the United Kingdom, for instance. Only recently, Paul Arkwright, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria of the readiness of his country to repatriate various looted Nigerian funds being held there.
"Clearly, there are legal requirements that we have to meet,” he said, adding: “We are working with the
Nigerian Government to see what we can do to return those funds.” Another such country is the United States, a key Nigeria supporter on this quest and others, according to President Buhari’s own account.
Beyond that, there is close to a billion dollars, perhaps much more, in different Nigeria loot
repatriation files in the US. Despite that, Nigeria does not have an ambassador the USA! Strange, but true: Professor Adewole Adefuye died in August 2015, seven months ago. He has not been replaced. Who is the US working with?
Also currently empty is the office of Nigeria’sPermanent Representative to the United Nations.
Professor Joy Ogwu, who occupied that position for many years, retired at the end of 2015, a few month after the UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals plan. She has not been replaced, either, and it
is almost as if the UN doesn’t matter. If Nigeria’s key diplomatic outposts are not being manned and those that are manned are considered only to be part of Buhari’s spectatorship, who speaks for the country and advances her interests when he is in bed? I have cautioned against the delusion that only President Buhari can turn Nigeria around.
His best bet for the Nigeria dream is to find, groom, and motivate a team of men and women who can accomplish giant strides whether he is asleep or awake, at home or abroad, healthy or sick."
.--Sonala Olumhense
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