Minister tasks new ambassadors on economic development
THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Joy Ogwu, has urged the newly appointed ambassadors to use their positions to enhance the nation's economic development.
Ogwu gave the charge while presenting letters of credence to the 24 newly appointed ambassadors posted to Nigeria's missions abroad.
In a statement issued in Abuja wednesday, she urged the new appointees to use their positions as ``rallying points'' for the projection of the Nigerian image project and the enhancement of unity and peace.
According to the statement, she admonished those posted to African countries to enlist their host countries to speed up the continent's integration process to ensure its prosperity.
It noted that the federal government attached a lot of importance to the postings to strategic missions around the world, adding that their postings were based on merit.
``The government and people of Nigeria are pleading with you not to betray the confidence reposed on you,'' the statement quoted the minister as saying.
Ogwu advised them to always keep the ministry abreast of developments at their posts so that prompt decisions and actions could be taken, it said.
It said that the Ambassador-designate to Germany, Amb. Abdul Rimdap, who spoke on behalf of the other appointees, thanked President Olusegun Obasanjo for the opportunity given to them to serve their country.
He gave the assurance that they would live up to expectation in the discharge of their duties, the statement said.
According to the statement, the new ambassadors include, Amb. A.O. Soyomba, Amb. A.B. Rimdap, Amb. C.E. Onwuagu, Amb. E. Obiakor, Amb. A.O. Adeyanju and Amb. P.O. Opara.
Others are Amb. T.A. Oguntona, Amb. M.U. Offor, Amb. A.C. Ariyo, Amb. R.O. Akeju, Amb. Z.O. Ojo, Amb. SAD Olisa and Amb. H.A Opeloyeru.
The list also includes Amb. P.E. Anegbe, Amb. M.K. Ndanusa, Amb. M.I. Uhomoibhi, Amb. A.C. Uzoka-Emejulu, Amb. B.Z. Zanna, Amb. S. Sambo Ahmed and Amb. F.A. Aniokoye.
Also appointed are Amb. L.M. Dustin-Ma, Amb. H. Salisu, Amb. Kabiru Garba, Amb. A.U. Baraya, Amb. S.T. Dogonyaro, Amb. A.O. Obileye and Amb. B. Nwana.