I wish to reply to the article in THE GUARDIAN of 16th May 2002, titled “Govt’s plan to trim missions stirs controversy” and state that in my opinion, it will be a welcome event considering the huge amount of monies being spent on these missions that are bedded with the task of looking after Nigeria’s interest in their various host countries.
But if saving N 2.7 billion will allow a reasonable life for my brothers and sisters back home in Nigeria, I think the present administration would do very well and trim down the number drastically.
The Nigerian diplomats, from my experience, are all out to make the most “money” they could not dream of in Nigeria, hence the hunt for an overseas posting is the game of the day in the MFA Abuja.
After being posted to missions abroad they are obliged to “feed” many mouths including those of fellow staffs that helped them in gaining these various postings.
The Nigerian Diplomatic community is also full of over aged men that are supposed to have been pensioned for some years, but due to their “long legs” they are still being posted while other younger staff have to pay for this “favour”.
Please check the files of the MFA Abuja for one Mr. Owoeye, the current Deputy Head of Mission of the Nigerian Embassy in Athens, Greece, and I am sure that there are many others like him.
Talking of Athens, where in fact I live, I wish to express my disappointment first referring to an article titled “Britain Stops Greek Investment in Nigeria” written by one Martin Ekeke as published on 26th July 1997 by the POST EXPRESS.
The report quoted one Dr. Steve Nosa Eluwe as saying that the British Embassy in Athens at that time was sabotaging the Nigeria’s interests in terms of investments and business with Nigeria. The said Athens based Nigerian was said to have sent series of documentary evidence to our Missions in Rome as well as Paris, with no avail, this is exemplary to how the Nigerian diplomats handle complaints Nigerian's lodge.
The Nigerian Mission was later re-opened in February 2000 by the Obasanjo regime, and the Nigerians here are yet to see the highlighted benefits as reported by the same story.
Instead, what we see now in Athens and in particular at the Nigerian Embassy is the exploitation of fellow Nigerian nationals by the said officials of the Nigerian MFA Abuja.
Actually a Nigerian Passport could cost you up to US $300, however if you want it faster then the fees are bound to rise.
The exploitation of Nigerians in Athens is the talk of the day; the tariff increases the higher the rank, not to talk of the immense mismanagement. Of course, a replica of the situation at “home” where nobody cares as long as the “manna” continues to come from heaven.
Since it’s reopening, the Mission has not been able to fiscally negotiate a bilateral agreement with the host Nation, something that would benefit all Nigerians that have found solace in this country.
Led by a political Ambassador that is never here, rather soliciting for the next governorship campaign of Ebonyi State in Nigeria, leaving all the Greece based Nigerian to the mercy of the “hungry” MFA officials, who have four years of posting to realize enough money to build the houses they all dreamed, at whatever expense.
I please recall Dr. Eluwe to revisit the Nigerian Mission that he called for.
Greek Investors would rather rely on their Greek friends in Nigeria than consult the Embassy, Greek business men are ill-treated at the Nigerian Mission.
The Advisory to the Presidency should think more about these issues and along with Greece, do likewise with as many countries that are not forth coming or unproductive.
There are many Nigerians here and the Government could use this opportunity and appoint Nigerian consulates that really understand the problems that are being faced in these various countries rather than incorporating in unnecessary expenses.
Sincerely,
Olatunde Olugbenga
Athens.
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