I’m leaving with my head high- Nimota Akanbi

...confirms envoys’ recall

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Netherlands, Ambassador Nimota Akanbi yesterday spoke on the recall of the envoys as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, expressing her gratitude to the Federal Government for the opportunity given to serve in that capacity.

I have done by best to keep stronger, Nigeria and Netherlands’ ties over the years, Akanbi who spoke with National Pilot yesterday, expressed.

Specifically, the envoy said had kept Nigeria’s diplomatic relations in the areas of Trade, Commerce and Agriculture.

Confirming the recall, she said: “Normally, when there is new government everybody will be affected.”

Recall that Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had in March 2014 Ambassador Akanbi for attracting investors to Nigeria.

Jonathan who was in Netherlands for Nuclear Security Summit told a gathering of Nigerians at a Town Hall meeting in Amsterdam that he was proud of the remarkable performance of the Ambassador Akanbi especially in the area of attracting direct foreign investment to Nigeria and the matured way she has been handling issues concerning the Nigerian Community in Netherlands.

The former President said: “I want to commend the Ambassador for the good work she is doing and I urge her to keep up the good work”

Akanbi in her address, there are estimated 20,000 Nigerians in Netherlands, with most of them doing well in their chosen carriers stressing that she has been able to unite Nigerians living in Netherlands.

According to her, Nigeria is currently Netherlands’s second largest trading partner in Sub-Sahara Africa in non-oil sector adding that the Embassy of Nigeria in The Hague, Netherlands has been in the forefront of showcasing Nigeria’s market, resources, labour and friendly investment climate.

In view of the non-existence of a Joint Economic Commission or Bi-National Commission between Nigeria and Netherlands, as is common among other EU-member counties, Akanbi said ”Our mission has adopted the convening of Business and Investment Forum as a platform to attract foreign direct investment to Nigeria”

She explained further ”The emphasis of the Embassy has always been on attracting foreign investment to Nigeria especially in Power, transport, solid minerals, agriculture, manufacturing and other sectors of the economy”

Akanbi, an educationist, prior to her appointment as an Ambassador, was the Principal of the Queen Elizabeth School in Ilorin, Government Day Secondary School in Alore and Government Girls Day Secondary School in Okesuna.

Also, she was the examiner for the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB). Ambassador Akanbi was the State Secretary for all Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and was the National Vice-Chairman, North Central Zone of all Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools. She is also Fellow and President, Association of Business Educators.

She Akanbi holds a PhD (2004) and Masters (1996) in Education Management from the University of Ilorin. She had a Bachelor Degree in Business Education from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1985.

Buhari had at the weekend recalled Nigerian non-career ambassadors in foreign countries.

Some of the recalled non-career ambassadors include Nigerian envoy to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, who was National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ambassador to Spain and wife of the late leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, who was DG of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in the 2011 presidential election, and Nigerian envoy to Jordan, Mr. Taofeek Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo state.

The recalled ambassadors were among those posted out in 2012 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Though, the recall has not been made officially, but Buhari’s Spokesman, Femi Adeshina reportedly confirmed the development.

#Politics