Dispatches from Swearing in of Nigerian Union Executive Members (Hungary)Part 1

Ambassador’s Poised and Diplomatic Message
By Hakeem Babalola

There is one character peculiar to the diplomatic corps. It is that they are skillful at being tactful and saying and doing things that do not offend people. A diplomat asset includes an incredible poise; must at all times display a calm, dignified, self-controlled manner.

Though the aforementioned qualities seem to be the vehicle by which any diplomat must drive to reach the pinnacle in the profession, it is arduous to actually know what is in the mind of a diplomat. Since they are trained not to offend people, one may never know their points of view.

No nation would choose someone who calls a kolanut a kolanut to be its representative in a foreign land. Such mad fellow would simply disrupt the essence of diplomatic mission. Instead of negotiating with another country on behalf of his or her country, such fellow would end up breaking a cordial relationship due to frankness. Thus, even if diplomats’ confidence in a strategy ebb, they dare not show their true feelings. Like it or not, it is the nature of the job.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary, Mrs Adeola Adebisi Obileye, displayed what seems to accelerate her ambassadorial post when she addressed the Nigerian Community at the swearing in of the newly "elected" executive members of the Nigerian Union, which took place at DOSZA GYORGY UT. 152 on Saturday 6th October.

She mixed candour and a native saying with the usual rhetoric of the office she occupies to deliver a purgative message, hoping that the new executives would forge a cordial relationship between the embassy and the Nigerian Community in Hungary. She started by extolling the hard work of the members of the Caretaker Committee whom she described as having done a good job.

I too salute the tenacity of these young men who have just ended the beginning. They are John Oni, Tunde Adeosun and Wilson. In fact I look forward to seeing Oni and Adeosun managing the affairs of the Union as executive members in the near future. They can count on my vote when there is competitive election and the going is tough.

There's nothing ambiguous in the ambassador’s message which was thumped out in a manner that must not lost on Nigerians in Hungary. Mrs Obileye used the occasion to remind Nigerians in Hungary to be good ambassadors by "checkmating those who deal in drugs, forgery, theft, credit card fraud etc."

She passionately believes that until this is done, the age-long cliché, stereotype and negative attitude towards us and our country will not cease.
"Your activities, your actions and comportment will reflect the kinds of response you get from the host countries and Hungarians at large," adding that the despicable and unacceptable activities of a few elements should not be allowed to rub off on all of us.

Though some named her the mother of Nigerians in Hungary, Mrs Obileye gave a note of warning. "The embassy would not aid and abet any illegality," she affirms. "You should therefore ensure that the documents that you present to the embassy are genuine and when in doubt, you are free to ask questions."

However, the ambassador lashed out at those critics she described as malicious and ignorant. "We welcome constructive criticisms because they will assist us to assist you and serve you better," she explains. "You should therefore desist from negative criticism based on ignorance and sometimes malice."

Consequently, Mrs Obileye used the moment to highlight what she termed a seven-point agenda of the Nigerian government which will make Nigeria one of the 20th leading economy of the world by the year 2020. They are as follows: improving the power sector, ensuring the rule of law, providing quality education, security of life and property, law reforms, alleviating of poverty through the creation of work, and putting in place an effective transport system.

She stressed that the Nigerian government has appealed to all of us to contribute our own quota to make this goal achievable. "You Nigerians in the Diaspora could equally contribute by advertising and spreading the word about the current propitious business climate to investors in our host country – that is Hungary."

She smiled her thanks with an axiom. "Let me end by referring to a native saying that says thus: A caravan is passing and the dogs are barking. The barking of the dogs will not stop the caravan from passing. The caravan of Nigeria is passing let us all join in as it heads for its manifest destiny."

Copyright 2007 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com