By Sunday Oyinloye.
Nigeria and Ghana have over the years enjoyed good economic and political relations. They also have mutual respect for each other. However, what has happened between July 2017 and now is phenomena, a plus to President Muhammadu Buhari administration which is anchored on positive change.
When a professional who is committed and dedicated is placed in a position of authority, the people will surely feel the impact and the society will be better for it . The fragrance coming from Ghana today is very encouraging and a new dawn not only in Nigeria-Ghana relations at governmental level, but a new lease of life for Nigerians living in Ghana because of the transformation that has taken place at the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.
The man driving the change agenda of the Government of Nigeria in Ghana is a seasoned diplomat, Ambassador Olufemi Michael Abikoye, who arrived Ghana in the middle of July this year and presented his letter of Credence to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo on 18th August, 2017.
Like a good administrator who he is, immediately after presenting his letter of Credence, Ambassador Abikoye hit the ground running by cementing relationship with key stakeholders that could make his assignment a smooth sail in Ghana. Few months after, the positive results are visible.
As an experienced diplomat, few days after taking his instrument of office, Abikoye paid courtesy call on allies of Nigeria in the diplomatic community and also paid courtesy calls on key government officials that will be instrumental in accomplishing his goal in Ghana. They include Inspector General of Police, David Asante Apeatu, the DG, Ghana Immigration, Minister of Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery, DG of Ghana Prisons, the Director State, Protocol, Chief of Protocol and other key Ghanaian government officials.
The energetic High Commissioner within five months in office has visited five out of the ten regions of Ghana to have town hall meetings with Nigerians in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Western and Greater Accra Regions.
The strategy is to afford the High Commissioner the opportunity of meeting Nigerians at the grassroots level, garner information about various challenges confronting them and also serve as a platform of informing the communities of the developments back in Nigeria
Not only did Abikoye met communities in these regions, the High Commissioner also had interface with officials as well as the Nigerian students in various tertiary institutions in the regions such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Garden City University, Kumasi, Catholic University College of Ghana, Sunyani, Brong Ahafo Region Cape Coast University (Central Regions) and University of Ghana, Legon (Greater Accra Region)
Ambassador Abikoye used his diplomatic experience to negotiate the downward review of fees paid by Nigerian students as this was a major challenge raised by the students when he met with them. The good news from this is that the management of the various institutions have given assures that they would look into this request and give positive feedback.
Interestingly, the visit of the High Commissioner to the Ministers, Mayors, Regional Police Commanders, the paramount traditional rulers in the various Regions have paved the way for greater collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana.
Besides, the 7th Ghana- Nigeria Permanent Joint Commission held between 18th and 20th October, 2017 was historic because it had been pending for a long period, but Abikoye’s arrival made the meeting a reality. This is expected to cement and foster both bilateral and multilateral the unique relationship that exist between Ghana and Nigeria. The other leg will be held soon in Nigeria.
The good thing is that the two countries are expected to sign nine MOUs and seven agreements, including, Economic, Finance, Trade and Investments, Diplomatic Consultations, Immigration Service, Food & Drugs control as well as Treaty on Prison Transfer, Youths and Sports, Education, Culture , Transportation and Air Service developments.
Determined to make the Mission more accessible, Ambassador Abikoye revived its website .There is no doubt that this will go a long way in assisting Nigerians living Ghana to know the activities of the Mission and happenings in Nigeria.
A proactive personality who understands that the future of Nigeria belongs to the youth, Ambassador Abikoye also took turn to visit all Nigerian owned institutions in Ghana to entreat them to absorbing, the Nigerian students and their Ghanaian counterparts during their holidays for internship in order for them to be engaged productively during the period and further canvassed for permanent placement on graduation.
On consular matters, the High Commissioner has ensured issuance of Nigerian Passport/Visas within 48hrs and immediate production of passports for students and Nigerians from far away Regions. This step has been commended by the Nigerian community in Ghana. In addition, with discussion the High Commissioner had with the DG, Ghana Immigration, the visitor’s visas for Nigerians is expected to be reviewed from 60 days to 90 days.
Ambassador Abikoye in his five months as the High Commissioner has visited all major companies with Nigerian interest in Ghana . The list is long, GTBank, UBA, Zenith, First Atlantic, Access, Energy. Insurance companies; RegencyNem, Equity, WAPIC. He also visited SIFAX Agency, Dangote Cement, Sahara Group among others.
In all the places visited, Abikoye admonished them to be good ambassadors in their dealings and to continue diligently in flying Nigerian flag higher in their respective businesses.
The job of an Ambassador is not just to represent the interests of his country, it is a complex position which requires a man or woman with the right frame of mind, administrative acumen and intellectual capability, attributes which Ambassador Abikoye possess. It is therefore not surprising that he has made a meaningful impact in just five months in office. However, my advice to Ambassador Abikoye is not to relent as he continues to fly Nigerian Green- White- Green flag to the next level in Ghana
Oyinloye is the Publisher of Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable, a weekly international online magazine in Nigeria
