₦airaland Forum

Buhari Appoints Inexperienced Cronies To Head Nigeria's Foreign Missions
SaharaReporters gathered this might not be unconnected with President Buhari's administration ‘systematically’ eroding the ethos of professionalism in the Nigerian diplomatic service in favour of his cronies.


The nepotistic tendencies of President Muhammadu Buhari has again manifested in the preference of non-career diplomats ahead of those, who have invested so many years in this career field.


Since coming into office in 2015 as the country's democratically elected President, Buhari has abandoned the dictates of Nigeria's foreign policy to appoint his cronies to head the country's mission abroad.


Over the last five years for instance, there have been numerous reports of discrimination, racism and ill treatment of Nigerians in countries such as Ghana, South Africa, India, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia etc, all of which point to a fast disappearing international clout.

SaharaReporters gathered this might not be unconnected with President Buhari's administration ‘systematically’ eroding the ethos of professionalism in the Nigerian diplomatic service in favour of his cronies.

According to the Nigeria's foreign service rule, non-career ambassadors should not constitute more than 25 per cent of Nigeria's envoys at any point in time.

But like several others, this rule have been swept under the carpet by the Buhari government.


To add credence to this argument, on May 12, the President transmitted the names of 42 career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for screening and subsequent confirmation.

But 18 days later, he sent the names of 41 non-career ambassador nominees to the Senate.

The President subsequently renewed the appointments of 12 non-career ambassadors on July 3.

When these numbers are added to the five ambassadors appointed in 2019, a total of 100 ambassadors would be expected to be sent to Nigeria's 83 foreign missions.

With this, 17 career ambassadorial nominees would be expected to serve as deputy ambassadors.

It therefore means that career officers, who have been trained for 30 years and above would be made to serve under political appointees with all the resultant ramifications.

Also, two of the three non-career ambassadorial nominees from Oyo State come from the same senatorial zone.

In the same vein, the new non-career nominees from Katsina State hail from Katsina central senatorial District.

This is the zone where the retained ambassador in the United Arab Emirates comes from.

“The truth need to be told that Nigeria will continue to be ridiculed and humiliated for her self-inflicted wounds. Do we need to be reminded of the diplomatic humiliation the country suffered when a certain inexperienced Fatima Mohammed Kyari was presented as a candidate for an African Union position contrary to the advice of the Foreign Ministry to field an experienced career diplomat? The country also lost international positions to other African countries due to the fielding of chosen candidates in place of competent and experienced persons.

“At a time when the world is witnessing tremendous changes and transformations, what is required is adjustments and realignment of forces to face head-on the emerging challenges. Every professional, no less our trained diplomats would be required to spearhead global engagements through the embassies and high commissions. This is no time for amateurism and playing to the gallery. The stakes are too high and consequences too grave.

“In this regard, Mr President should as a matter of urgency withdraw from the Senate, the list of non-career ambassadors unilaterally compiled by a certain dark horse presidential aide, Mallam Ya'u Darazau (Senior Special Assistant to the President, Special Duties). The list is too large and lopsided. Whereas some states have three nominees, other states such as Abia, Kebbi, Niger and FCT have no nominees. As it became apparent after the list was read at the floor of the Senate, the names were compiled without consulting the key political actors in the states. Many state governors have kicked against the nominees from their states. A sizeable number of senators have also come out to complain that they were not consulted. Yet they are expected to confirm these appointments.

“Worse still, the loopsidedness was also reflected in the list of 12 serving non-career ambassadors who were undeservedly retained at their duty posts. It should be pointed out that both Ambassador Baba Madugu (Switzerland) and Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar (Germany), hail from Mr. Yau Darazau's state, Bauchi State. Although the duo are to remain at their duty posts, a new nominee from Bauchi State was also forwarded to Senate for confirmation as ambassador.

“Rather than send these unprofessionals abroad, government should consider utilising their experiences at home to improve on Nigeria's failing politics,” a diplomat told SaharaReporters.

It was gathered that as a result of this nepotistic practice, many Nigerians were now suffering visa restrictions and travel bans from a growing number of countries.

The situation has also led to a loss of political prestige by Nigeria as it longer controls as much respect in the diplomatic circle as it used to in the past.

https://twitter.com/SaharaReporters/status/1280012526961516546?s=19

"A Nigerian died in their custody because he had no money to pay. He died due to the torture he was subjected to by immigration officers."

Facts on how Nigerians living in Indonesia were allegedly tortured and killed by the country’s immigration officials over expired visas and documents have come to light.


SaharaReporters gathered that the officials barged into victims’’ houses to effect arrest, forcing them to pay ₦450,000 before they are released.


The exercise was said to be carried out daily targeting mainly Nigerians with the aim of extorting money from them.

It was gathered that those, who could not cough out the money, were tortured with many dying in the process.

Those unable to raise the money are compelled to call their family members for them to find a means of sourcing the funds.


SaharaReporters gathered that a Nigerian identified as Chukwueze was tortured to death while in the custody of Indonesian immigration officials because he could not raise the money demanded as a bribe.

A source, who spoke with SaharaReporters said, "We are passing through hell here in Indonesia. The immigration officials are killing us because of expired visa. They come into our houses to arrest us and force us to pay N450, 000.

"If you don't pay the money, they will ask you to call your relatives to raise the money.


"Last Monday, one Nigerian died in their custody because he had no money to pay. He died due to the torture he was subjected to by immigration officers."

Recall that some Nigerians recently staged a protest at the Nigeria Embassy in Jakarta over alleged discrimination and targeted raids by Indonesian immigration officers.

https://twitter.com/SaharaReporters/status/1279421037122326536?s=19

Dumbest excuse I've heard in a while.
Crazy polithiefians

Confirmedzombie:
We are in trouble. The cases kept increasingday by day yet the FG went ahead to lift the ban on inter state travels.

I condemn it, i condemn it, i condemn it.

The FG must enforce a TOTAL LOCKDOWN now.

Otherwise within the next few weeks Nigerian case will be worst than that of the USA, SPAIN, ITALY, CHINA just to name but a few.

Total lockdown is the only solution. A Two months stay at home cant kill us.

Indeed a confirmed zombie

Edo which way

Eunice Ortom, wife of Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, her son and some of her staff have tested positive for COVID-19.


Mrs Ortom disclosed this in a statement she personally signed on Friday night.

According to the statement, the first lady had gone on self-isolation with her son and all her affected staff.


The statement reads, “A few moments ago this (Friday) evening, I received my result from the tests earlier carried out on me and others by NCDC personnel on routine screening at House, Makurdi which returned that I and my son, and some staff are COVID-19 positive.

“We have from this moment, gone into total isolation as required by the protocols and would immediately begin the management treatment as advised by medical experts.

“While I have taken the responsibility to personally call everyone I can recall to have had recent contact with to go for testing, I advise anyone who has had close contact with me in the last two weeks and the public to go for screening and testing.

“I wish to reiterate that being COVID-19 positive is not a death sentence as evident by the many recoveries recorded thus far so there is no need to panic, but we should continue to be responsible in our actions so as to keep others safe."

https://twitter.com/SaharaReporters/status/1279191754206580736?s=19

Myndd44
Sissy3
dominique

Way back fine boy law school guy.
Congratulations.

sapientia:
Was the man convicted?

He was supposed to have been jailed for the said offence but manipulated the judicial process because of his political influence and connections.
Inside life.

Asim was supposed to have been jailed for the said offence but manipulated the judicial process because of his political influence and connections

Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade, has appointed one Edet Okon Asim, who was alleged to have raped a 12-year-old-girl, into his cabinet as Special Adviser on Biodiversity.


Asim was said to have been arrested by police in 2019 for raping and impregnating a 12-year old girl and also damaged her womb after series of abortions .


He allegedly warned and threatened the girl not to reveal the crime until the girl started developing repeated belly aches.

Asim was supposed to have been jailed for the said offence but manipulated the judicial process because of his political influence and connections, the source claimed.

The mother of the girl, Sarah Noah, was also said to have been having affair with Asim.

Findings also revealed that Asim has been dropped as United Nations Ambassador as a result of the rape allegation.

A source, who spoke to SaharaReporters about the incident, said, "He has been dropped as UN Ambassador and he cannot come out to represent cases or advocate for issues concerning women.

"The governor has questions to answer on whether or not he is aware this man is an offender, an accused or alleged offender. Appointing Asim is encouraging rape in the state. "

It will be recalled that many interest groups in the state had also condemned the appointment of Asim.

"By allowing an alleged offender or somebody who has been accused of rape to serve in your cabinet, it also shows that you are encouraging rape to thrive,” the source added.

Meanwhile, there have been calls for the arrest and prosecution of the mother of the girl. She was alleged to have offered her to the man as a sex slave while also having an affair with the Asim.

The Spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, Irene Ugbo, could not be reached for comments.

https://twitter.com/SaharaReporters/status/1278938723388985344?s=19

Way to go covid 19 a respecter of no man

The number of discharged cases keeps increasing.
This govt has been up to sth altogether with this scamdemic.