Blazing the trail of reactions is the respected diplomat and one time Nigeria’s Ambassador to Thailand, Mr T.S.O Olumoko, who is fondly remembered in the Nigerian Community, Italy for his dedication and steadfastness as Charge d’affaires at the Embassy of Nigeria in Rome during the heydays of the military juntas in the 90s. This magazine wrote at various times in the early 90s on how Olumoko saved millions of dollars in the coffers of the Embassy.
He wrote: “this is saddening and embarrassing piece on our Mission in Rome. I know that mismanagement of funds is often a factor in this distressing development. However, this time around, as your report has pointed out, the Mission is distressed due to lack of remittance of the required funds from Abuja. It is a perennial case of funding not only being late but inadequate. Sadly, not only Rome is currently affected but virtually all our Missions abroad. These do not do our international image any good at all. The damages these inflict on our reputation and stature in the global community are substantial.
It’s high time the President accorded priority to this very pressing issue of funding our Missions adequately and promptly. Additionally, President Tinubu should take the issue of foreign relations seriously. He travels often, doesn’t he observe the collapse and dilapidation of our foreign policy architecture? Foreign policy is not run on shoestring, he should prioritise and effect result-oriented cost saving measures.”
A seasoned diplomat who crave anonymity writing from Nigeria declared, “It’s never been this bad with our diplomatic outposts. The situation is about the same in every Mission. The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs is not pulling his weight. Without accredited Ambassadors/High Commissioners, and a well motivated Home Based Officers, our diplomacy would appear to be at its lowest ebb of functionality. We can do better as the ‘giant’ of Africa.
Another serving diplomat in North America wrote, “This is a very sad situation.”
Mario Eguaveon writing from Kaduna Nigeria said, “Tinubu is taking loans right, left and centre to finance their extravagant lifestyle but can’t pay staff at foreign embassies. Tell me why staff at that embassy will not be corrupt to survive? Nigeria as a country is structured in a way for corruption to thrive. For example, a policeman of a family of three is on monthly salary of N100,000. He’s leaving in Abuja where his annual salary can’t afford him a one bedroom accommodation. He has to feed himself and his family, pay transportation to work everyday, pay his children school fees, and provide medical care for himself and the family. How can such a policeman survive this T-pain era without being corrupt?”
From London, Dr Nwike, who has served at international organisations such as the World Food Programme, WFP, wrote: “This is just terrible and unacceptable.
Josephine Enegbedion writing from Torino, Italy, observed, “upon all the money wey una collect from us, salary you people can’t pay. I’m sure the usual rats have eaten all the money…”
Reacting from his base in Bologna Italy, the president of the Nigerian Community Rowland Ndukuba, asked rhetorically, “really?”
Mrs Felicia Duru a practicing nurse in one of Rome’s hospitals declared, “this is incredibile.”
One writer who identified himself as Aza man of Napoli used curses and swear words at Nigerian political elites who are “very evil” and “always disgracing our great nation.”
Ada Owerri in Rome wrote: “yes o, I can testify that touts have taken over Embassy, we nor see road pass again. Chai, who do us dis?”
