Former Mayor Rotimi Adebari Urges Nigerian Government to Appoint New Envoys, Address Killings Abroad
In an interview with Imoleayo Oyedeyi, former Mayor of Portlaoise, County Laois in the Republic of Ireland, Rotimi Adebari, discussed the importance of appointing new Nigerian envoys, the benefits of effective foreign relations, and strategies to halt the killings of Nigerians abroad.
Diplomatic Appointments Delayed
Since September last year, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has not appointed new envoys for Nigeria in about 76 countries. Adebari emphasized the critical role of ambassadors and questioned the delay. He speculated that the government might be reviewing Nigeria’s presence in some countries to balance costs and benefits.
Adebari highlighted the challenges faced by Nigeria’s foreign missions, such as poor funding, infrastructure, and working conditions. He urged the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to leverage his influence to improve these conditions.
Benefits of Quality Representation
Adebari outlined several benefits of having quality representation abroad, including diplomatic representation, trade and investment facilitation, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. He stressed that effective foreign relations could drive economic growth by creating an enabling environment for investment and improving Nigeria’s global image.
Advice for Diplomatic Appointments
Adebari advised President Tinubu to appoint individuals with strong backgrounds in diplomacy and international relations, deep understanding of host countries, strong communication skills, and a commitment to ethical conduct. He emphasized the importance of aligning these appointments with Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities.
Addressing Killings of Nigerians Abroad
Adebari expressed concern over reports of about 300 extrajudicial killings of Nigerians in foreign countries over the past seven years. He attributed these killings to racism, xenophobia, and inadequate support from Nigerian embassies. He urged Nigerian embassies to provide legal aid, engage in diplomatic efforts to address racism, and establish a database to track such cases. He also suggested cultural programs to promote understanding and collaboration with host countries to prosecute perpetrators.
Challenges of Nigerians Abroad
Adebari acknowledged the struggles faced by Nigerians abroad, including insufficient knowledge about host countries, difficulties in finding work and accommodation, and cultural adaptation issues. He highlighted the need for better preparation and support for Nigerians migrating abroad.
Advocacy for Parliamentary System
Adebari advocated for Nigeria’s return to a parliamentary system of government, similar to the United Kingdom’s model. He argued that this system would grant regions the right to self-government and development at their own pace. He believed that the parliamentary system would promote accountability, grassroots representation, coalition-building, and effective governance.
Political Class and Parliamentary System
Adebari expressed skepticism about the political class’s willingness to return to a parliamentary system due to potential loss of political positions. He urged politicians to act as statesmen and prioritize the nation’s future over personal interests.
Assessment of Current Administration
Adebari refrained from giving a direct assessment of the current administration’s performance. Instead, he proposed that Punch Newspapers conduct an unbiased opinion poll based on essential governance metrics, including service provision, law enforcement, economic development, safety, and citizen rights. He suggested that such a poll would provide a more authentic scorecard of the administration’s first year in office.
