Buhari Appoints 115 Foreign Officers As Ambassadors-in-situ

President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred the title of Ambassador-in Situ to one hundred and fifteen foreign officers for their contributions to the nation’s development and economy.

Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented the letters of conferment on behalf of the President to serving Officers who have attained the rank of Deputy Director on Friday.

Onyeama said that Buhari was recognising and honouring the Foreign Service Officers for their sacrifices, hard work and their role in attracting foreign investments to grow the nation’s economy.

He said that with their efforts in galvanising Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomacy Nigeria has excellent relations and at peace with every country of the world.

“It is a recognition of work done and achieved. Some of those who were honoured today are serving foreign officers, others are retired.

“So Mr President has decided to recognise all those who have attained a certain level in service, notwithstanding the fact that they are retired and also confer on them the title of Ambassador-in-situ.

“The sacrifice that is required of you to serve in different countries around the world very often for a relatively short period of time. And then you come back for three years and then go out again .

“Also, I very much appreciate the economic sector investments that you have helped to bring into the country.

“The role you play in consular services, looking after the interest of individual Nigerians around the world.

“And I always tell people, one aspect of our foreign policy and diplomacy that a lot of people take for granted and do not appreciate sufficiently is the fact that we have excellent relations with every single country on Earth,” Onyeama said.

The newly appointed Ambassadors appreciated Mr President for the recognition which they said will spur them to do more in projecting the good image of Nigeria.

Mr Kabiru Musa, current Charge D’affaires, Nigerian Embassy in Libya said to deepen collaborations with host countries and facilitate engagements with Nigeria especially in security and economic development.