From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday admonished the newly appointed Ambassadors-Designate to project Nigeria as a great nation and an investment destination to their respective host countries.
Buhari who spoke at the virtual Induction/Orientation Exercise For Ambassadors-Designate, Consuls-General and Charge’ D’ Affaires Entitre held at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) auditorium, Abuja reminded the diplomats to work with the policy direction of the current administration.
Buhari in address said, “You must not forget that you have been posted to your respective bilateral and multilateral Missions to represent and project Nigeria as a great and indivisible nation and a very attractive investment destination.
The address reads, “In our effort to achieve realistic development-oriented domestic and foreign policies, the government has identified nine (9) priority areas to guide our policy directions and thrust within the time frame of 2019-2023.
“These are: build a thriving and sustainable economy; enhance social inclusion and reduce poverty; enlarge agricultural output for food security and export as well as to attain energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.
Others include, to expand transport and other infrastructural development; expand business opportunities, entrepreneurship and industrialization; expand access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians.
“I, therefore, urge all of you to be guided by these identified priority goals, as well as your various Station Charters which highlight specific mandates and guidelines on government’s expectation.
“We expect you to fight hard for Nigeria and for Nigerians abroad.
“You must strive to promote trade, human capacity development, foreign direct investment and other areas of cooperation with countries at national and multilateral levels to support our national growth and development,’’ Buhari added.
On Covid-19, Buhari urged the ambassador-designates to be at the forefront of global debates which will in turn pave the way(s) to fighting Covid-19 and other ravaging health problems in the world.
Buhari further said, “we must not forget that traditional challenges of terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, poverty, population explosion, hunger and other manifestations of insecurity, including cybercrimes, drug abuse, child trafficking, irregular migration as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which have negatively impacted Nigeria and Africa remain part of our nation’s critical challenges.
“Finally, as Principal Representatives abroad, you must therefore intensify efforts to leverage on available opportunities, as well as your goodwill to help deliver prosperity to the millions of Nigerian citizens at home and the country you are posted.’’
“As Ambassadors of our country, your comportment, carriage, conduct and ability to multitask must be exemplary.
”Humility and firmness are attributes that can earn you and your country respect and recognition. These attributes must remain with every one of you in the fulfillment of your duties,’’ he said.
In all, President Buhari urged the envoys to attend to all Nigerian citizens who visit the Missions with utmost dignity, respect and promptness, providing necessary assistance with courtesy, commitment and efficiency.
The President said attending to the needs of Nigerians abroad will help project the good image of Nigeria in our diasporic relation and project us as a country driven by love.
In the same vein, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, lauded the President for his commitment to a defined foreign policy of “neighbourliness, diplomacy and engagement’’ which had heldsway since 2015.
Onyeama submitted “the result of the ‘Buhari doctrine’ is that Mr. President is on good terms with all countries of the world, and this will make your jobs easier,’’ he added.
