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Pyrates Confraternity Calls for Re-engineering of Nigerian Foreign Mission for Optimal Performance
Pyrates Confraternity Calls for Re-engineering of Nigerian Foreign Mission for Optimal Performance
By Michael Mike
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) otherwise known as Pyrates Confraternity has called for the re-engineering of Nigerian foreign missions fir optimal performance.
The body, in Abuja on Friday listed some of the factors responsible for the underperformance to include inadequate budgetary provision, corruption, low competence among Nigerian diplomatic staff, inadequate staff strength, the politicisation of foreign service, the appointment of non-professionals or political diplomats and lack of synergy between the diplomatic missions and the headquarters, among others.
In a research document unveiled in Abuja and titled ‘State of Nigerian Embassies and Consulates,’ NAS said the issue of Nigerian embassies has continued to be a source of concern to Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora, and equally friends of Nigeria who are embarrassed by all manners of stories about the situation and services at the embassies.
In the executive summary, the association further said it decided to commission a study to determine the actual condition of the embassies and consulates through the #OurVotesCount initiative.
It said the method of study involved site visitation to the embassies and consulates, desktop review and analysis of 358 respondents from a cross-sectional survey.
“The survey was designed to ascertain the experiences and provided perceptions of Nigerians and non Nigerians who use the services at the embassies and consulates. Nigeria currently has 219 missions abroad, but the initial target of the study was 94 embassies and 12 consulates. The following embassies or consulates were informed of the study’s objectives: the Embassy of Nigeria, Washington DC, Consulates in Atlanta, and New York, Embassies of Nigeria in The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Japan, and Australia. The Nigerian High Commissions in Ottawa, London and Consular Affairs Annex, London; Pretoria and the Consulate in Johannesburg.
According to the report: “The importance of a country’s missions abroad cannot be overemphasised because sometimes, how they are perceived serve as a Measure of the prestige of a nation. Moreover, there is a nexus between a country’s mission, the pursuance of its national interests, and the implementation of its foreign policies. In essence, a nation’s diplomatic mission abroad plays an important role.
“The general perception is that Nigerian missions are not living up to the expectations of Nigerians and foreigners who use the services they provide. This study highlights inadequate budgetary provision, corruption, low competence among Nigerian diplomatic staff, inadequate staff strength, the politicisation of foreign service, the appointment of non-professionals or political diplomats and lack of synergy between the diplomatic missions and the headquarters, as some of the issues hindering the optimal service delivery of the embassies. In addition, the general impression is that the staff show some apathetic attitude towards the plights of Nigerians.”
The National Association of Seadogs however said the situation was not all gloom, insisting: “There are limited instances where embassy staff were reported to have been very professional, friendly, and courteous. There is an enthusiastic Nigerian atmosphere a sound queuing system, observing COVID-19 protocol, timely service, and efficiency in some cases,” but lamented that: “Unfortunately, these situations as observed, were few rather than the norm. The survey respondents’ perceptions about services received showed that only 20 percent of respondents were satisfied with services received at the embassy, 22 percent were neutral, and 58 percent were dissatisfied. The physical infrastructure/presentation of the Nigerian embassy was considered excellent/good by about 7 percent of respondents. In comparison, 66 percent believed the infrastructure/presentation was poor. and 27 percent felt the infrastructure/presentation was average.
“The attitude of the staff was considered satisfactory by approximately only one (1) in every five (5) respondents, while 56 percent believed the attitude of staff was not satisfactory and 25 percent were neutral.
However, about 31 percent of respondents indicated that they have had to pay non-official fees compared to 67 percent that did not pay any non-official fees. The reason for the payment includes expediting passport renewal, securing an appointment, payment to an agent or Nigerian association to facilitate service, and making photocopies at the embassy,” the National Association of Seadogs noted in the report.
In its recommendations, the National Association of Seadogs called for the establishment of a special trust fund for the acquisition, equipment, and maintenance of Nigerian embassies and consulates, with at least 20 percent of revenues generated from consular services domiciled in it. is long overdue.
This, the association stated, will help to reduce the over dependence on the annual national budget.
The association also called for the increment in budgetary allocation towards the acquisition of befitting embassies and consulate buildings and maintenance of existing infrastructure in Nigeria’s foreign missions is imperative and timely.
Amongst others, the research advocated for the removal of the quota system in the employment of embassy and consulate staff, saying that employment in that area should be strictly based on merit.
NEDC Seeks Global Partners Support to Actualize North East Development Master Plan
By: Michael Mike
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has seek the assistance of global development partners for its North East Stabilization and Development Master Plan.
The Commission made available the Master Plan to global development partners at the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) headquarters at N’Djamena, Chad
This Master Plan is a framework of the NEDC to accelerate the regional recovery effort as it steps up sustainable implementation of programmes based on the needs of the six states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe that constitute the North East region. The plan is in addition to humanitarian interventions and disaster support .
In N’Djamena, the Commission led by its Managing Director and CEO, Mohammed Alkali with his team met with the Executive Secretary of the LCBC, Amb. Mamman Nuhu who is also the Head of Mission of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
Alkali at the meeting, emphasized that the LCBC’s strategies for recovering the lake Chad basin are similar to those of the NEDC in the recovery of the Northeast region as contained in the Master Plan.
He noted that the NEDC views the LCBC as a strategic partner in the quest to actualise its developmental programmes as the regional body’s activities strongly impact on the states of the North East .
Executive Secretary LCBC, Amb. Mamman Nuhu on his part, said. “We certainly have a lot to do together so at our technical level we will come up with recommendations on how we can work together and form stronger partnership in order to pitch up the affected period already under Prolac which is called (in support of MCRP) it is called prolac in all the other countries except Nigeria where it is in support of MCRP and where we have been working closely with all the others, where we have the regional help”
Nuhu also pointed out that there is a window for everybody in terms of the nine pillars out of the 40 strategic objectives of the regional stablization strategy, every body can come in with a plan .
He said: “The only limitation we have is funding otherwise it is an excellent plan and it is adaptive. It is also inline with the Lake Chad Basin Commission Regional Stabilization Strategy which was developed in the year 2018”.
Among the MD/CEO’s delegation were the Executive Director Admin & Finance, Dr. Abubakar Garba Iliya, Prof. Umar Bobboi, National Cordinator MCRP, Prof. Mohammed Abbagana, Head, Research & Planning, Mohammed Umar Sani, Head, Resettlement & Early Recovery and Naomi Abwaku of the Commission’s Corporate Services Department.
The Delegation from the NEDC will also be in N’Djamena to attend the 3rd Annual International Forum on the Development of the Lake Chad Basin with the theme ‘Enhancing Local Governance and Social Cohesion for Socio Economic Development and Food Security in Changing in the Lake Chad Region’.
NEDC Seeks Global Partners Support to Actualize North East Development Master Plan
SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO AFCSC
By: Our Reporter
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmad Lawan and his entourage conducted an Oversight Visit to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji Kaduna on Monday, November 4, 2024. The visit, held at AVM AO Ogundana Officers’ Mess aimed to inspect and assess projects executed by the College.
In his address, the commandant AFCSC, AVM HI Alhaji welcome the committee. He further mentioned that the College was established with the mission to train tactical and operational level officers in standardized command and staff duties through professional military education to effectively accomplish the constitutional roles of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
During his remarks, Sen. Ahmad Lawan stated that in the current global landscape, security is paramount. Therefore, he pledged to continue prioritizing the nation’s security and military forces to ensure they receive the necessary support. “When we secure our environment, we can more easily and comfortably provide for other needs,” he said. The committee chairman also highlighted the AFCSC as a key institution for military training, providing education to officers at the tactical, operational, and mid-management levels, who go on to lead critical military operations. Sen. Ahmad Lawan stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for achieving the College’s goals, underscoring that adequate funding is essential for success.
“There must be substantial investment in the AFCSC and other defence institutions like the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and the National Defence College (NDC),” Lawan said. “These institutions attract people from all over the world for training, a testament to the excellence of our programs.” He called for more funding in the upcoming 2025 budget for defence institutions and security agencies, asserting that security should be the nation’s top priority.
Sen. Ahmad Lawan thereafter, commended also the Commandant AFCSC, his predecessors and members of the College Committee for their dedicated efforts in building and sustaining the institution since its inception.
Highlights of the event included inspection of the quarter guard, presentation of souvenirs, a tour of College facilities.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO AFCSC
Borno Flood: Buhari Pays Condolence Visit to Maiduguri
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Tuesday received former President Muhammadu Buhari who was in the state to commiserate with the people and government over the 10th of September flood disaster.
The state capital Maiduguri and environs was submerged in flood that claimed several lives and destroyed many properties.
President Buhari who was out of the country when the flood disaster occurred had earlier sent a high powered delegation to commiserate with the government and made a N20m donation to the state relief fund.
Making his remarks during the visit, Buhari said, “When this disaster happened, having been governor in Borno during my military career, I could hardly imagine such disaster. I was out of the country, all I could do was to send people to come and sympathise with you.”
In their separate remarks, Governor Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, expressed gratitude to the former President for the visit.
The former president was accompanied by the ex-Secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Prof. Isa Pantami, Engr. Aliyu Mamman, Garba Shehu, Emeka Nwajiuba, Musa Haro Danmadami among other associates.
Borno Flood: Buhari Pays Condolence Visit to Maiduguri
NEDC Seeks Global Partners Support to Actualize North East Development Master Plan
SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO AFCSC
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