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Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO - Politics (2) - Nairaland

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Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by abkrgumel(m): 7:24pm On Jun 22, 2021
Um
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by leiaranshrek5: 7:27pm On Jun 22, 2021
Um

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Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by nedekid: 7:28pm On Jun 22, 2021
Racoon:
Obviously, it must be one misfit that they want to use quota system and place there that is causing the problem.
Yes oh, aboki loading.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Deraf: 7:30pm On Jun 22, 2021
Oh wow
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by senm117(m): 7:30pm On Jun 22, 2021
Matters Arising
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by seunmsg(m): 7:34pm On Jun 22, 2021
Racoon:
Obviously, it must be one misfit that they want to use quota system and place there that is causing the problem.

The beginning of the crisis

According to investigation carried out by The Nation, the current situation started barely a year after Adejuwon resumed duty in Geneva. He then wrote the ministry drawing attention to the negative consequences of the non-remission of the Overhead Cost Allocations released to the ministry by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the failure to remit the overhead appropriation to the Nigeria Trade Office (NTO), Geneva for the months of September to December, 2014, for the smooth operation of the office and image of Nigeria.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Nobody: 7:38pm On Jun 22, 2021
Rather sad and bad display from the Ministry of trade and investment...one would have expected them to act with some better probity instead of this mess.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Nobody: 7:39pm On Jun 22, 2021
seunmsg:


The beginning of the crisis

According to investigation carried out by The Nation, the current situation started barely a year after Adejuwon resumed duty in Geneva. He then wrote the ministry drawing attention to the negative consequences of the non-remission of the Overhead Cost Allocations released to the ministry by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the failure to remit the overhead appropriation to the Nigeria Trade Office (NTO), Geneva for the months of September to December, 2014, for the smooth operation of the office and image of Nigeria.

Which the Ministry, by then under new brooms in the house, should have rectified...immediately

The APC was voted for change, and not to continue PDP's inefficiencies.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by juman(m): 7:40pm On Jun 22, 2021
Hiss.
Buhari brought no change.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Safemoon: 7:47pm On Jun 22, 2021
bad news for the zoo.WTO boss is unbribable and can not be manipulated .
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by ofuonyebi: 7:57pm On Jun 22, 2021
WHY SHOULD OUR CASE AT THE WORLD LEADERSHIP PODIUM OF HONOUR ALWAYS BE CONTROVERSIAL?
HELP US NOW O GOD OF ISRAEL !
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Nobody: 8:07pm On Jun 22, 2021
The zoo has unraveled
No amount of wailing, hailing can reverse it.

triple996:
A thread 4 waillers grin
Let d mastubation begin
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Praxis758: 8:13pm On Jun 22, 2021
Buhari will not agree with any nominee if he/she is not a Fulani.

Any nominee outside Fulani is a no-no for Buhari
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by CSTRR: 8:24pm On Jun 22, 2021
They want to use their bad luck affect ngozi.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Jeezuzpick(m): 8:26pm On Jun 22, 2021
slawormiir:
Damnnn niggarrrr
Isoright.

Just pay him his statutory allowance as well ass the repatriation entitlement...

And find a replacement ......bunch of pussy ass moda fuckkking government......Sluggish and slow like sloth in resolving issues

Maybe the replacement hasn't agreed to leave the bandit business yet.

E no easy to leave forest for the US o.

It can be traumatic for the kids.

They'll miss their cows.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by DD29: 9:03pm On Jun 22, 2021
Blah Blah Blah, How Does This News Concern Me
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by tnerro1(m): 9:11pm On Jun 22, 2021
The quota system person they have in mind will not be able to measure up, so they are very confused right now grin
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by Nobody: 9:31pm On Jun 22, 2021
KingZaddy:
...

Some news on this site will just suddenly start putting sleep in your eyes even if you don't want to sleep...

Yes, that's how boring it is...



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When you upload full movie video, halla me and I will subscribe. Who stupid reviews help?
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by TMKsouth: 9:40pm On Jun 22, 2021
tillaman:
I will come back and complete the story
The story is *yawns*

LMAO grin grin grin
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by KingZaddy(m): 9:40pm On Jun 22, 2021
nijaomegacode:

When you upload full movie video, halla me and I will subscribe. Who stupid reviews help?
Lol... Guy calm down na... We no dey fight grin
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by metaphysics(m): 9:53pm On Jun 22, 2021
Why Nigeria has been unable to nominate new ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) since 2017 is the question begging for answer among diplomats in the global trade organisation. Assistant Editor Bola Olajuwon writes on the controversy.

WTO and global trade

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the body that regulates and facilitates international trade between nations. It officially started operations on January 1, 1995, following the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement. It replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that was established in 1948. The WTO is the world’s largest international economic organisation, with 164 member states representing over 96% of global trade and global GDP.

It facilitates trade in goods, services and intellectual property among participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements, which usually aim to reduce or eliminate tariffs, quotas, and other restrictions. These agreements are signed by representatives of member governments and ratified by their legislatures. The ogarnisation also administers independent dispute resolution for enforcing participants’ adherence to trade agreements and resolving trade-related disputes. It prohibits discrimination between trading partners, but provides exceptions for environmental protection, national security and other important goals.

With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the organisation’s top decision-making body is the ministerial conference, which is composed of all member states and usually convenes biannually. Consensus is emphasised in all its decisions. Its day-to-day functions are handled by the General Council, made up of representatives from all members.

Nigeria and non-oil export promotion

Nigeria’s desire to promote exports is a formal objective of successive Federal Governments. Its overall strategy is to diversify the productive base of the economy away from oil and to foster market –oriented and private sector-driven economy. This strategy aligns with the overall economic agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to intensely grow revenue from non-oil sources within the economy.

From the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures, the oil sector contributes only about 15.9% to the entire GDP, leaving the remaining 74.1% to be shared among the sectors (the non-oil sector); i.e. agriculture, services, manufacturing, telecoms, among others. This is a gradual reversal of the initial trend in the GDP proportions between the oil and nonoil sectors. The potential for enhanced non-oil tax revenue through international trade and foreign direct investment cannot be tapped more significantly without strong representation at WTO.

But Nigeria is a subject of negative discussions in WTO offices over non-replacement of a substantive envoy to the global organsation following the unofficial recall of Nigeria Ambassador to the body, David Adejuwon, in 2017 without proper communication.

His appointment was conveyed in two letters of approval by Mr. President on July 1, 2013 and that of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment dated July 24, 2013. The inability of the ministry to send a replacement is more embarrassing as a Nigerian, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, now sits as the first female director-general of the organisation.

Though the approval for Adejuwon’s appointment was with immediate effect, the envoy could not assume duty in Geneva until March 3, 2014, after his predecessor, Ambassador Yunov Fredrick Agah, who was retired from the Federal Civil Service in January, 2010, as a result of tenure policy of the Federal Government, finally vacated the office.

All efforts to speak with the embattled ambassador on the matter proved abortive. He only told The Nation that his lawyers have advised him not to grant any interview on the matter against the contempt of the court because he proceeded to the National Industrial Court in October, 2017 to demand for payment of his statutory allowances and repatriation entitlement.

The beginning of the crisis

According to investigation carried out by The Nation, the current situation started barely a year after Adejuwon resumed duty in Geneva. He then wrote the ministry drawing attention to the negative consequences of the non-remission of the Overhead Cost Allocations released to the ministry by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the failure to remit the overhead appropriation to the Nigeria Trade Office (NTO), Geneva for the months of September to December, 2014, for the smooth operation of the office and image of Nigeria.

With money not released and out of frustration, the envoy gave the ministry three-months’ notice to recall him from Geneva, settle his outstanding financial commitments, pay his repatriation entitlements and arrange for a replacement.

The ministry till date, neither issues the necessary letter of recall nor appoint a new ambassador to the WTO.

According to WTO policy, this implies that Adejuwon technically speaking is still Nigeria Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation and other Trade Related International Organisations in Geneva, Switzerland as approved by the President.

His Statutory Foreign Service Allowance and other entitlements were stopped with effect from September, 2016.

Moves to resolve the matter

Adejuwon, however, took the matter up with the ministry and when all the entreaties failed, he returned to Nigeria in 2017 with his personal effects locked up in his official residence in Geneva with his family members stranded abroad.

He then proceeded to National Industrial Court in October 2017. But, the ministry has failed to file a statement of defence in court from October, 2017 to February, 2019 despite the fact that it was duly served with the court processes.

The ministry reached out to the envoy through a phone call made by the Permanent Secretary followed by invitation letters, for a meeting with a Committee of Directors constituted by the ministry on payment of Adejuwon’s repatriation allowance and other related matters and to discuss the possibility of an out-of-court dispute resolution.

After the meeting, the committee members promised to advise the then minister, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, to pay Adejuwon’s entitlements.

The ministry agreed to renew his diplomatic passport and that of his spouse, which had expired and to obtain one year Schengen Multiple Entry Visas on the renewed passports to enable the family members travel back to Geneva and arrange for the shipment of their personal effects immediately the envoy receive his claims for final return to Nigeria. It was learnt that the original passports were handed over to the Permanent Secretary.

Owing to the discussion with the ministry, Adejuwon’s solicitors during the court sitting on March 6, 2019, notified the court of the move by the ministry to settle the matter out-of-court and requested for a long adjournment. The court proceeded on judicial vacation following which the matter was adjourned till end of September, 2019.

Another letter of invitation was sent to the envoy to come and sign an undertaking on an offer by the ministry for payment of his statutory Foreign Service Allowance and repatriation entitlements.

Adejuwon declined the amount offered, which was to be paid in Naira at official exchange rate instead of dollar, through his legal counsel.

In a letter addressed to the new Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, the envoy clearly stated that he had not been officially recalled as the Nigerian Ambassador to the WTO, Geneva, couple with the fact that the payment of his statutory allowance was unlawfully stopped as well as repatriation entitlement to enable him return to Nigeria with his family in line with the provisions of the Foreign Service Rules had not been paid.

He added that he was forced to seek redress in the National Industrial Court in October, 2017, following alleged the unfair treatment by Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Foreign Affairs reactions

In his reaction, the spokesman to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Ifedayo Sayo, said the ministry has nominated a replacement for Adejuwon to the Presidency and it’s expecting an approval.

Sayo said: “Yes, I just spoke with the minister on the issues you raised. A new nominee has been forwarded to the Presidency and the ministry is expecting a reply any moment from now. It is also true that the former ambassador instituted a case in court, which is yet to be determined by the court.”

Also, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Ferdinand Nwonye, said the minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, was not around to attend to The Nation’s reaction on the matter.

A source in the ministry, however, told The Nation that matters concerning WTO are within the purview of Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. According to the source, “the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment only need to notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about any approved nominee for the post and the need for orientation for the appointee”.

But the waiting game for a new ambassador to WTO continues.
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by battymann: 10:20pm On Jun 22, 2021
We have a grossly dysfunctional government.
And its getting worse

1 Like

Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by jeremy5968: 6:05am On Jun 23, 2021
Thanks for sharing, I found a lot of interesting information here. A really good post, very thankful and helpful.

Target MyBalanceNow
Re: Controversy Trails Nigeria’s Ambassador Post To WTO by kutashi: 8:12am On Jun 23, 2021
Dindinrin! Buhari and APC are now the pain of your life which you will never recover from?

The delusion in your will not let you see that this issue cum problem was initiated during your Jonathan and super Paper economist Okonjo!
temptnow:
This country of bandits always embarrass themselves every year.

If I'm Okonjo iweala I won't get involve in this madness, cos Oyibo people will query why she's involved in this mad people internal problem.

She's a mother of all countries, not for mad people who can't get their act together. #nepotisim

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