Connect with us

News

Lawmakers to Review Operations at Nigeria’s Diplomatic Offices in the US

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

…call for key diplomatic appointments, institutional reforms

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to expedite the appointment of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as well as the country’s principal envoy to the United States.

This call comes amid growing concern over the current state of affairs at Nigeria’s diplomatic outposts in New York, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. In a move to address ongoing challenges, the House has asked both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Accountant General to take prompt steps aimed at resolving logistical and financial strains reportedly affecting these missions.

Advertisement

The House has also tasked its Committee on Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Nigeria-USA Parliamentary Friendship Group, with a thorough review of the administrative, fiscal, and infrastructure-related status of the missions. Their investigation will focus on identifying the root causes of delayed staff payments, funding gaps, and concerns over resource use. The committee is expected to recommend strategies for strengthening operational standards and preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad.

These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “Urgently Need To Investigate Alleged Poor State Of Nigerian Missions Abroad, Particularly The United States of America”, by the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda on Wednesday at plenary. 

During a recent oversight engagement conducted by the Nigeria–United States Parliamentary Friendship Group, Chinda expressed deep concern over the conditions observed at Nigeria’s diplomatic facilities in New York, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

He emphasised the importance of balanced international representation in fostering mutual respect, advancing cooperative relationships between nations, and enhancing Nigeria’s global profile. 

Rep. Chinda underscored the need for well-functioning foreign missions as vital instruments in sustaining diplomatic goodwill and reinforcing the country’s standing in international affairs.

Advertisement
He stated: “Further notes with dismay that the Nigerian Mission House in New York 1s reportedly indebted in rent payments and has left over thirty (3) staff without salaries for over a year; and in Washington D.C., the elevator in the Mission House was only repaired after a patriotic Nigerian intervened to restore it, an act which while noble, underscores gross negligence and systemic dysfunction in the running of Nigeria’s foreign Missions; 
 
“Aware of the provision of S.19 (a), (b), (c) and (e) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered) which deals with the Foreign Policy Objectives of Nigeria, and underscores the key elements of: 
 
“(a) promotion and protection of the national interest, (b) promotion of African integration and support for African unity, 
 
“(c) promotion of internationa] Cooperation for the consolidation of Universal eace, and ; (e) promotion of a just world Economic order: 
 
“Also aware that in furtherance of the above Pr ovisions, particularly the need for the promotion of international cooperation, Nigeria maintains several diplomatic missions globally comprising embassies, high commissions and consulates Charged with representing Nigeria’s interests strengthening bilateral ties, facilitating consular services, and supporting Nigerian citizens in diaspora”. 
 
The Minority Leader highlighted the essential role Nigeria’s foreign missions play in facilitating engagement between the country and international counterparts, including foreign governments and global institutions. He noted that these missions are pivotal platforms for promoting Nigeria’s diplomatic objectives, economic interests, cultural outreach, and international cooperation efforts—particularly in a nation like the United States, which hosts a range of key global organizations such as the United Nations.

He further observed that, for an extended period, Nigeria has yet to appoint successors to two critical diplomatic roles: the Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the country’s chief envoy to the United States—who traditionally also chairs a key peace and security forum. This prolonged absence, he warned, may affect Nigeria’s image and credibility abroad and could pose challenges to the country’s broader aspirations, including its bid for a more prominent role within international governance structures such as the UN Security Council.

“Also cognisant of the fact that in recent times, Nigerian missions have been beset with several challenges, such as poor state of the mission houses, poor state of infrastructure and facilities, inability to pay staff salaries, ineffective diplomatic participation, and neglect of strategic foreign policy engagements, amongst others”, he added. 
 
Chinda expressed worries that despite receiving yearly budgetary allocations appropriated for their smooth operations, including running costs, maintenance of facilities and staff welfare, the dwindling value of the naira has made same very inadequate, and the missions are therefore unable to meet their obligations especially in the USA. 
 
“Perturbed that Nigeria’s international image is severely undermined by Such appalling neglect, mismanagement, and administrative decay in key diplomatic outposts – especially in the US, where Nigeria’ maintains Strategic interests and aspirations, including her long-standing quest for & permanent seat on the UN security Council. 
 
“Worried that unless very Urgent and pragmatic steps are immediately taken to investigate and address this issue, the country may lose he, respect in the eyes of her Citizenry and may in the long run Plunge the country into ridicule and irrelevance among global actors”, the motion reads further. 
 
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the relevant committees to investigate and report back within 4 weeks for further legislative action.
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

Delta Govt Suspends Commissioner For Works(Highway and Urban Roads) Hon.Izeze Indefinitely

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Delta State Government has announced the indefinite suspension of Hon.Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads) with immediate effect.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, the suspension is to enable the Security Agencies carry out an unbiased investigation of allegations associating him with the assault on the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi also known as (Temple) at the Petroleum Training Institute(PTI) Effurun,recently.

The statement added that the State Government remains committed to the maintenance of public safety in all circumstances which guarantees law and order and the sanctity of lives.This position is upheld even when institutions of state are involved.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Confusion as Cross River deputy gov escapes death in Ugep crash

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr Peter Odey, has reportedly escaped an accident involving his convoy in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred at about 2pm on Sunday while Odey and his entourage were returning to Calabar from Obanliku Local Government Area, where they had attended a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort.Government Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.

Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.

Advertisement

A Government House press bus conveying some appointees and staff attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor was said to have veered off its lane near an Army checkpoint in Ugep before crashing into three sandbag barricades.News One of the occupants, whose identity was not immediately known, reportedly sustained an injury to the leg, while another was said to have suffered bleeding from the nose.

The extent of the injuries could not be immediately ascertained, as those involved were expected to undergo medical assessment.History Sources also disclosed that several vehicles were damaged in the accident, although the extent of the damage remained unclear.Lakes & Rivers The incident is reportedly the third accident involving the deputy governor’s convoy in the past two months, raising concerns over the condition and availability of vehicles attached to his office.

Further checks indicated that the fleet attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor had been depleted, with vehicles from the governor’s convoy reportedly being deployed for official movements when necessary. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Governor declined to comment on the incident when contacted. Further details on the crash, including the condition of the deputy governor and other persons involved, were still being awaited as authorities assess the incident.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Titilola Adeleke, leads women in protest against arrest, violence

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

The Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, on Monday led a protest by women in the state against what they considered “indiscriminate arrest and violence” ahead of Saturday’s guber election.

Adeleke, who was joined by women from different groups of traders and artisans in the state, led the march, which commenced along the Osogbo-Ilobu Road and terminated at the road leading to the Osun State Police Command along the West Bypass.

Also present at the protest were the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Affairs, Eniola Omotosho, among others.

Advertisement

The protesters, armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Election is not war,” “Stop indiscriminate arrest of our husbands,” “We want a free and fair election” and “Police must be neutral,” were prevented from proceeding to the main entrance of the command.

They were, however, attended to by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo, who assured them that the command would address their concerns.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adeleke said the women were on the streets to demand a peaceful election and called on the police to invite some notable chieftains of the All Progressives Congress for questioning over the rising incidents of violence in the state.

She said, “We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace; let there be peace. Invite APC chieftains for questioning. They should stop killing our husbands and children. Make them sign an undertaking. From what we heard, we learnt that they will start picking our leaders up this week.

Advertisement

Last Friday, they picked up the Commissioner for Environment. He was brought here, stripped naked. This is not good enough. They should leave our people alone.”

The governor’s wife subsequently presented a letter containing the protesters’ demands to the police commissioner.

Responding, Etaifo said the command had worked hard to de-escalate tension in the state since his arrival and assured the protesters that their demands would be considered.

“I have been here for the past two weeks. The IG was here because of the heightened tension in the state. For the first time in history, the IG directed the CP election to come three weeks to the election.

Advertisement

“If you notice, since I came, we have relative peace in the state, but the problem we have is that we cannot continue to tolerate what you have done today because it will not contribute to peace; it will cause tension again. Let us assume that you come out now and the other party comes out, then both of you meet; what will happen?” Etaifo said.

He added, “We are going back and restrategising to attend to all your demands. Why I am discussing with you is because we don’t want tension before the election; we want peace. We cannot conduct an election in an insecure environment.

“I have a mandate from the IG to come to the state to stabilise things, give an enabling environment for every political actor to exercise their franchise, and create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day.”

Etaifo warned that the police would not tolerate any act capable of negatively affecting Saturday’s election, adding that anyone caught violating the law would be arrested and taken to Abuja.

Advertisement

“If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst.

The IG and Nigeria will not forgive you. I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election; we must get it right,” he said.

The police commissioner commended the protesters for conducting a peaceful demonstration but urged them to return home to prevent any incident.

“I want to applaud you for this protest being peaceful, but I want to implore you to go back so that nothing will happen to you. I will assign my men to escort you back to where you started the protest from,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News