Following the multifaceted challenges including chronic indebtedness facing Nigeria’s diplomatic Missions worldwide, the Federal Government recently inaugurated a 13-man Presidential committee to review the number of Nigeria’s diplomatic Missions worldwide
The committee will be chaired by Ambassador Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibi, a seasoned diplomat, and former President of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha inaugurated the committee recently in Abuja.
He disclosed that the government set up the committee because many of their challenges are inflicting a dent on the nation’s integrity.
This, he said, is in addition to the missions’ impact on the image of Nigeria in particular and on the international arena in general.
“As we are all aware, our diplomatic missions around the world are currently faced with multifaceted challenges following, among others, the scale of perennial indebtedness they find themselves.
“This poses attendant damage to our nation’s integrity. Consequent upon these, Mr President approved the constitution of this Presidential Committee.
“As we are all aware, our Diplomatic Missions around the world are currently faced with multifaceted challenges following, among others, the scale of perennial indebtedness they find themselves.
“This poses attendant damage to our nation’s integrity. Consequent upon these, Mr President approved the constitution of this Presidential Committee.
“Let me recall at this point, some cost-saving measures taken by previous administrations in this regard including; reducing the number and size of missions, authorising concurrent accreditation to other countries, and enhancing and prioritizing budgetary releases to Missions.
He, however, said all the efforts were unfortunately short-lived, adding that preliminary findings revealed that the root causes of the challenges were inter-woven and systemic in nature.
“The challenges will have to be addressed holistically in short-, medium- and long-term basis. “
According to him, the timeline for the activities of the committee is three months and its terms of reference are to determine the current number, and categories of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions; subject matter desks worldwide
And to categorise their strategic importance and impact worldwide and make appropriate recommendations, identify and categorise the revenue generation capacity of missions.
“Performance in this regard, causes and level of indebtedness, review the understanding and application of critical extant policies, guidelines, circulars, codes, regulations, financial management systems, statutes, across Nigeria’s missions. “
This, he explained was with a view to minimizing bottlenecks, misapplication and curbing infractions, reviewing all previous reports on the establishment of missions and measures taken to effectively and economically manage Nigeria’s mission.
He said the committee would identify challenges, make appropriate recommendations on sustainable steps to be taken as well as identify reasons why previous measures by the previous government were not effective.
Responding on behalf of other members, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, Committee’s Chairman thanked the president and the SGF for the honour of such an assignment.
Uhomoibhi, however, affirmed the committee’s readiness to do everything within their capacities to fulfil the demands and confidence reposed on them by President Buhari.
