Federal Govt Transfers Implementation Of Nigerian Missions’ Report To Tinubu

The secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha has hinted that the final report of the Presidential Committee on the Review of Number and Strategy for Resourcing Nigeria’s Diplomatic Missions Worldwide will be implemented by the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Buhari had approved the constitution of the presidential committee, which was inaugurated on October 25, 2022.

According to the SGF, the terms of reference of the Committee includes addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting Nigeria’s diplomatic missions around the world.

He said, “I am confident that with the calibre of membership of the Committee, your observations, findings and recommendations will address some of the major challenges confronting the Diplomatic Missions around the world.

“I can assure you that this report will be forwarded to Mr. President for his endorsement and subsequent implementation.”

Mustapha also assured the committee that the report will also form part of the transition document that will be handed over to the next administration as part of the successes of the present administration.

“So, this government will ensure that the content of this report is implemented in earnest,” he added.

On his part, the chairman of the committee, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi said the report presented has two volumes, comprising the main report and a set of 14 annexures.

He said it is a product of the committee’s consciousness of the sincere desire and elaborate programme of government for the revitalization of the country’s international representation.

According to him, “This final report, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the aftermath of long, painstaking and intense plenary sessions, strategic and purposeful engagement with relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian Foreign Service space, and our on-the-ground assessment of a good number of Missions abroad.

“In the course of its assignment, the Committee held 32 meetings at least 2 times every week and nonstop after its inauguration in plenary and several other times at the level of its Sub-Committees.

“The committee received memoranda and held interactions with critical respondents. It also reviewed previous relevant Reports including those presented to the Federal Executive Council.

“Questionnaires were designed and administered to all Nigeria’s Diplomatic Missions out of which 21 were physically visited, in 6 teams across Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Middle East and North America including Canada.

“Distinguished SGF and committee members, it will certainly not be out of place to express our deep gratitude to the individuals (including retired ambassadors and former and serving foreign service personnel), groups, associations and MDAs, who readily provided information, suggestions and general insight to aid the work of the Committee in diverse ways.

“We want to, once again, specially thank His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his wisdom and courage in initiating a far-ranging overhaul of the Nigerian Foreign Service at a time like this.

“He may eventually not be here as President to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of this report, and ultimately the transformation of our Foreign Service which they will birth, but it will always be on record, and in honour of his legacy, that whatever positive developments emerge from this exercise is the brainchild of a visionary leader.

“It is the unanimous opinion of all members of this Committee that the commitment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in the execution of its task was absolutely first class, almost incomparable.

“For this and more, we are extremely grateful to this admirable and exemplary gentleman.

“Finally, it is our earnest expectation that the findings and recommendations of this Committee be fully implemented for it is only then that the value of the work it has done will be appreciated,” he said.