A retired Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, has said public perception that diplomats are wealth personnel was far from the truth, insisting however that their entitlements were inadequate and did not reflect the reality of their sacrifices.
Akinremi, while lamenting the poor remuneration of Nigerian diplomats, said the financial conditions of ambassadors do not match the risks and responsibilities attached to their duties.
He spoke with journalists on the sidelines of his 60th birthday celebration and his retirement from the Foreign Service, which featured the launch of a book, “The Seven-Star Diplomat,” he authored.
He said although diplomats are appointed by the President and addressed as “Excellency,” their work is rarely accorded the recognition given to the military, despite the hazards they face while representing the country abroad.
He noted that no conflict truly ends on the battlefield but at the negotiating table, making diplomacy more effective than soldiers in resolving disputes.
He added that: “A diplomat represents Nigeria in sensitive environments and is often viewed with suspicion. Even though we are not intelligence officers, we carry the nation’s image, which exposes us to serious risks.”
He said: “Diplomats sometimes move from grace to grass. We receive allowances for domestic staff abroad that we are equally entitled to at home but never get. We work under difficult and uncertain conditions.”
Akinremi advised newly appointed ambassadors and nominees not to focus solely on prestigious foreign postings, noting that any mission could become successful through dedication and commitment.
He said effective diplomacy depended on sacrifice, persistence and hard work rather than on the status of a posting.
He revealed that he served over 33 years in the Foreign Ministry and nearly 35 years in all in the civil service, having joined in January 1991.
He recalled being wrongfully dismissed and remaining out of service for seven years before being exonerated and reinstated, eventually regaining all lost promotions and becoming one of the first directors in his cohort before his appointment as ambassador.
“These experiences taught me the power of self-motivation. Obstacles should never be seen as stumbling blocks but as stepping stones,” he said.
Akinremi declared that his book was written to inspire young Nigerians considering a career in diplomacy and to call for greater national investment in early training for diplomats, similar to career cultivation in the military.
He argued that diplomacy is no less demanding than military service and plays a central role in national security, as decisions such as visa authorisation could be as consequential as battlefield operations.
He however said: “Modern diplomacy is no longer about wining and dining. It is about strategic thinking, national planning and speaking for the voiceless.”
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Kola Kareem, described Akinremi as a rare diplomat whose contributions to Nigeria’s global image were commendable.
He said the ambassador had represented Nigeria creditably in several countries and international forums, contributing to efforts to attract foreign direct investment in line with President Bola Tinubu’s international engagement agenda.
“He is someone young diplomats should emulate. He joined the service, served diligently and has completed his assignment honourably,” Kareem said.
Also speaking, a former Nigerian ambassador to the Scandinavian countries and former Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Dr Godknows Igali, described Akinremi as “one of a kind” and a highly versatile diplomat worthy of emulation across the public service.
Igali noted that the presence of retired ambassadors from various countries at the event demonstrated the respect Akinremi commands within diplomatic circles.
“He has served as ministry spokesman, head of protocol and overseer of international organisations. He embodies tact, professionalism and national pride,” he added.
Michael Olugbode
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