As we prepare for change, and I mean sea change, come May 29, it is time to talk about our foreign representation in the new millennium. We have seen a barrage of articles, and press reports about the state of our foreign service, starting with its very unedifying headquarters in Abuja (Not very impressive, is it?). And the news is bad! Pity.
Anyone who studied or had serious business abroad will know the huge disservice that most of our missions have done to both nation and nationals over the decades. But we must move on. Many of the dramatis personae have either moved or were moved on, already. The past be now gone, let's move on.
Our foreign service needs to be totally overhauled, revamped and restructured. We need the very best in all respects, and must pay for it. Nigeria cannot and must not be second rate DIPLOMATICALLY, nor can we load the place with mere bureaucrats. It should be dynamic, multidisciplinary, multisectoral, and fully ICT-compliant. We need balance in demography and geography as well. Plus a solid LINK between the Home and Foreign services.
But most of all, we need PATRIOTS not opportunists and selfish public hands or political fronts for the ruling/thieving elite! We must make our postings to serve and honour our country. Yes.
Finally, I think it is good to have career and specialist officers as well as non-careerists. It must be possible to move readily between home and foreign services for the right calibres and cadres of personnel. The previous dichotomy was unduly restrictive. We need well rounded people in all our services, including the armed services. To further strengthen them, secondments and work placements to the private and NGO/CSO sectors will be absolutely crucial. That way, ALL our missions will better serve the legion of travellers, officials, students, workers and crusaders who need their attention around the globe. No more no less, please.
Our new parliament must see to this. It is a new and ruthlessly competitive world out there!
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