The Federal Government on Thursday tasked the new nine ambassador designates, to ensure they are prudent and prioritise their spending in the face of low government funds.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olukunle Bamgbose, stated this at the presentation of letter of credence to nine ambassador designates, in Abuja.
The Ambassador include, Eniola Ajayi, Republic of Hungary; James Dimka- Liberia; Nurudeen Mohammed, Malaysia; Orji Ngoha of Kingdom of Netherland; Aminu Mohammed Dalhatu, Republic of Korea; Suzan Aderonke, Folarin-Kingdom of Spain; Musa Mohammed, Sweeden; Baba Madugu, Switzerland; Olusola Iji of Togo.
He also urged them to send officers who have been recalled but who are still at the mission home in order to save fund.
According to him, “On your appointment as the ambassador it is a great honour for you to have been appointed, this is challenging times and the mission you are going to may not be robust in terms of finance, there is not much in it but there is dignity and honour, the title of the ambassador is something you carry for life and you see it as a great honour.
“You have to be very prudence and prioritize on what you are to do because there may not be sufficient funds to do all, of course you have capable officials at the mission that will assist you,” Bamgbose advised, warning ahead that the ambassadors would likely to have officers who have been recalled but who are still at the mission.
“I would advise that in order to save your funds, it is better to send them back home otherwise they would stay there and still be paying rent and incurring other expenses, we have directed them to report but I will advise that when you get there you give bite to this instruction so that you can send them back home”.
The Permanent Secretary also told them that it would avail them the opportunity to mingle with other ambassadors from various countries and they should use the period to attract investors to Nigeria.
Minister of State, Bukka Abah Ibrahim said congratulated the Ambassadors and urged them to make the nation proud.
“I am pleased to note the government’s expectation of you in your esteemed role as ambassadors in your respected countries.
Although lack of fund has been a challenge to the ministry and the country as a whole, however with the gradual recovery of the country from recession, the ministry financial situation, hopefully, will improve to enable it discharge its duty effectively in the ministry and in her mission abroad” she said.
Ambassador Eniola Ajayi, while responding on behalf of the other ambassadors said that they want to assure the President Muhammadu Buhari, who has reposed the confidence in them to serve as ambassador and represent him in different countries of the world, that the confidence will not be misplaced.
LAIDE AKINBOADE-ORIERE
