New Envoys Cautioned Against Wasteful Spending

Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi  

The eight newly-appointed ambassadors-designate have been warned against wasteful spending of the resources of their missions.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi gave the warning while speaking during the presentation of the letters of credence to the ambassadors-designate in Abuja yesterday.

Uhomoibhi, who was represented by the Under Secretary General, Regional and International Organisations, Ambassador Godwin Agama, harped on the need for prudent management of their missions’ human and financial resources.

“You know the state of our economy, especially the level of funding to our foreign mission,” he said, urging them to follow the guidelines listed in the Charter of the Foreign Service at all times.

Speaking earlier, the Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, charged the new envoys to ensure that Nigerians in their host countries are their primary constituents.

She also urged them to pursue the transformation agenda of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, particularly economic diplomacy.

“…Secure the best possible advantages and opportunities for Nigeria and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora….you will be held to the highest standards of probity, accountability and service delivery in the overall interest of Nigeria,” she added.

Onwuliri gave the assurance that the federal government would continue to appoint career ambassadors on the basis of merit, competence and seniority and in a manner that reinforces professionalism in the conduct of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

The newly-appointed ambassadors-designate are S.U Ahmed (Sri-Lanka), Mrs. Ifeoma J. Akabogu Chinwuba (Cote d’Ivoire), Bassey Archibong (Gabon), Adadu Echi (Equatorial Guinea), Adamu Emozozo (Brazil) Mrs. Modupe Quist-Adebiyi (Sierra Leone), Mohammed Dauda (Chad) and Lawal Suleiman (Indonesia).