By Gloria Ikibah
Members of the 18th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy (FSA), have honoured Ambassador Ahmed Olatunji Sulu-Gambari with a send-off dinner following his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Malaysia, with concurrent accreditation to Brunei Darussalam.
The event which held on Wednesday, in Abuja, brought together serving and retired diplomats, senior government officials, colleagues, family members and friends to celebrate the ambassador’s appointment and recognise his years of service in the Nigerian Foreign Service. 
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of members of the 18th Regular Course, former Nigerian Ambassador to Cuba, Ambassador Ben Okoyen, congratulated Sulu-Gambari on what he described as a well-deserved appointment.
He praised the ambassador as a seasoned diplomat whose professionalism, humility and dedication to national service had earned him the confidence of the Federal Government.
Okoyen said the gathering reflected the enduring camaraderie within the Nigerian Foreign Service and expressed optimism that Sulu-Gambari would further strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam while advancing the country’s foreign policy objectives.
In response, Ambassador Sulu-Gambari expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting him with the new diplomatic assignment.
He also acknowledged the support he had received throughout his career from the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Secretary and senior colleagues.
The ambassador pledged to serve Nigeria with commitment and uphold the country’s interests throughout his tenure.
He reiterated his commitment to diligently promoting Nigeria’s national interest, strengthening bilateral relations with Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, and discharging his responsibilities with dedication, professionalism and integrity.
In a goodwill message, Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to India, Ambassador Saidu Dahiru Mohammed, described the appointment as a fitting reward for years of dedicated service in the Nigerian Foreign Service.
He congratulated Sulu-Gambari and wished him a successful and impactful diplomatic mission.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages, presentation of a commemorative plaque, special recognitions, group photographs and a reception attended by senior diplomats, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of government institutions, members of the 18th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy, and family members of the celebrant.
