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Celebrating contributions of Foreign Missions towards the development of Nigeria, the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) hosted the maiden event of its awards night for members of the diplomatic corps. Further strengthening ties not just between the media and the diplomatic communities, but Nigeria and its allies. Bukola Ogunsina writes.
The evening began with glitz and glamour as the arrival of guests in dark Suburban Utility Vehicles with diplomatic and government plates slid into the compound of Caesar’s Restaurant, Chopsticks, Maitama, Abuja. The area was heavily guarded by the police and security sentinels. You could tell that an important occasion was in the air. Ambassadors, their representatives, members of the Federal Government and other dignitaries were welcomed by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) members. As they alighted from their vehicles, they were ushered to the seats reserved for them, as they graced the occasion, adding colour and pomp to the activities.
DICAN is an Association of journalists covering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, her agencies as well as the Diplomatic Missions and their activities in Nigeria.
DICAN’s Secretary, Raphael Oni, said that the awards night is in recognition of the active and invaluable contributions of certain Foreign Missions and a few diplomats to the development of Nigeria. The services rendered to Nigeria included; financial assistance, building of infrastructure, scholarships, grants, renovation of schools among others.
The Ambassador of Saharawi and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E Oubi Bachir said in a speech given at the gala, “I want to enjoin the representative of the ministry of foreign affairs in their position, for the foundation of this organisation. We think that this is a very good step …that this association and this event will be the first initiative in establishing a very permanent and fruitful relationship between the Diplomatic Correspondents and the established embassies in Abuja.
“You [DICAN] have been our mirror to what the general public in Nigeria is like, and we hope we build the cooperation to make our job very successful and in projecting a very good image of the diplomats and the diplomatic world in Abuja,” he said.
Awards received by individual diplomats were five in all. The Most Media Friendly Diplomat was given to Mr Ahmed Mohamed Maher, the Head Media Unit, Embassy of Egypt, while the Building and Mending Diplomatic Relations was given to Dr Attai Alkhoder, Ambassador Designate, of the Embassy of Libya. Again H.E Harry Purwanto , Ambassador of Indonesia and Mr Wassim Ibrahim, Charge D’Affaires, Embassy of Lebanon both received awards for Outstanding Support given to journalists activities, particularly DICAN members. Finally H.E Oubi Bachir, Ambassador of Saharawi received the award of a Good Leader with Good Diplomatic Leadership Skills.
As the evening drew on, three awards were given to Outstanding Nigerians namely; Ambassador Esther Audu, former High Commissioner of Nigeria to the Gambia, promoted to the Dean of the Diplomatic Community in the Gambia, Senator Abu Ibrahim, OFR, Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, and Alhaji Musa Tahir, of the Nigerian Customs all received awards of Excellence contributing to the growth of Nigeria as a nation.
Awards were also given to five Foreign Missions in term sof promoting education, security, institutional developments, and grassroots developmental projects among others. Those recognised were namely; the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja, Embassy of Japan in Abuja, Embassy of Venezuela in Abuja, Embassy of China in Abuja and Malaysia High Commission in Abuja.
Special Recognition in the 2015 Diplomatic Circle were given to four diplomats; namely, H.E Mrs Ann Scott, Jamaican High Commission was judged the Most Consistent Diplomat in attending National Days in 2015, Madam Miriam Morales Palmero of the Embassy of Cuba was awarded the Most Amiable Diplomat in 2015, H.E Mr. Marco Antonio Gracia Blanco, Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria was recognised at the 2015 Advocate for Human Rights, and the Most Entertaining and the Most Attended National Day in 2015 was given to the High Commission of Ghana in Abuja.
The event’s venue, food and drinks were sponsored by the Lebanese Community in Nigeria, with other memorable contributions by the Embassy of Indonesia, Embassy of Mexico and Embassy of Venezuela. All of whom were duly recognised. The chairman of DICAN, Innocent Odoh, said in his speech at the awards night, “It is a rare privilege for us today, to welcome you all to our maiden edition of the awards night in honour of members of the diplomatic corps for their immense contribution to DICAN and the development of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria.
“We take delight in this event knowing that the members of the diplomatic corps have also in various ways strengthened diplomatic ties with our country Nigeria through the efforts of the media. Nigeria has continued to enjoy the support of various countries in the very many roles it has played in the maintenance of world peace and security. Nigeria also has flourishing bilateral and bi-national relations with many countries.
“We as the members of the media are proud of this and that is why we have organised this awards to strengthen the relationships with the foreign missions and individuals within the diplomatic community who have made meaningful contributions to the growth of DICAN and Nigeria,” he said.
In attendance were six serving Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to include the honourable Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Shehu Sani, four members of the House of Representatives, fifteen Heads of Foreign Mission and several other dignitaries. The Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama was ably represented by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr Akinremi Bolaji.
The post Glitz, Glamour As DICAN Hosts Awards Night appeared first on Nigerian News from Leadership News.