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FG Tells Foreign Service Officers To Ensure Nigeria’s Image Remains Untainted
FG Tells Foreign Service Officers To Ensure Nigeria’s Image Remains Untainted
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government (FG) has expressed the imperative of those in the Foreign Service of the country to ensure that the image of the country remained untainted.
The FG made the call on Thursday while tasking the participants of the 25th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy (FSA) not to soil Nigeria’s image abroad.
The call was made even as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Lamuwa, charged the graduating foreign service officers to always remember that their ultimate mandate is to defend, advance and protect the national interest.
Lamuwa, who spoke at the Graduation of the 25th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy (FSA), at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, also asked the graduands to go out there and give back to the system what it gave to them.
The former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Martin Uhomoibhi, said, foreign service is a sacred duty, and a call to holiness.
Uhomoibhi, who was former President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, told the graduands to consider themselves lucky, as only few are privileged to fly Nigeria’s flag, outside the shores of the country.
The retired Nigerian Ambassador, said that to be amongst the elite civil servants is not only a privilege but also, a huge responsibility.
He said: “Please don’t soil our image, you are there to promote, project, protect and defend the Nigeria’s interest, not your own interest. It is a sacred duty, it is a call to holiness and it is uncompromisable. You can’t be a drunk and be a diplomat, and expect to be respected. You cannot be a vagabond and expect to be respected.
It is a sacred duty, a call to holiness. To be a diplomat and a flyer of Nigeria flag, you must be unblemished. It is also a call to excellence, you must read books to excel as a diplomat.
“Knowledge is key, because you cannot give what you do not have. If you puts a buffoon in office, you gets buffoonery, you can pray from now till next year and God will feel insulted. So, as a representative of Nigeria you must seek knowledge, you must know. You must know God, you must apply God in your work. God should not take second place in your life, even as a diplomat, faith is powerful”.
Uhomoibhi, while admonishing the new foreign service officers to be empathetic to Nigerians abroad, said, “you are representing Nigeria, you must listen to Nigerians outside the shores of this country who come to you. It does not always have to be money. If you don’t have money you can receive or be nice to them, empathy not sympathy. You must put yourself in the shoes of stranded Nigerians who have no other relation out there except you”.
The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, said, training and retraining of staff brings out the best in them, hence her interest in capacity building.
Yemi-Esan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, charged the graduating foreign service officers to acquaint selves with the civil service rules, as that will guide them throughout their career.
The Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Abubakar, represented by Director Training NIA, Ambassador Chituru Chendo, encouraged the graduands to make use of emotional intelligence at all time.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Head, Foreign Service Academy, Amb. Franklin Oguyemi, said, the 25th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy (FSA), was significant as it marks the implemention of the new foreign service academy curriculum.
He said the aim of the new curriculum is to produce diplomats who are physically, mentally and intellectually prepared to navigate the ever-changing world of diplomacy including possessing the necessary knowledge and skills to project, advance and protect Nigeria’s interest beyond its borders.
He noted that to achieve these objectives, the participants were thoroughly trained in various subjects such as international law, diplomacy, Nigeria’s history, public service and bureaucracy, critical issues in international affairs, multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, Nigeria’s relation with other countries, protocol etiquette, life at diplomatic post and public presentation amongst others.
He further noted that these efforts were aimed at developing diplomats who can effectively and efficiently function in the 21 century.
FG Tells Foreign Service Officers To Ensure Nigeria’s Image Remains Untainted
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
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