Ominyi | File Photo
‘We are ready to return home once payment of passages and entitlements are made’
By Nweze Anaga,
Abakaliki
Nigerian envoys have disassociated themselves from the alleged call for the resignation of Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusufu Tuggar, following financial crisis rocking the country’s embassies.
They also disclosed that the call was the sole opinion of a group known as Mandate for National Values and Integrity (MNVIN), and not the position of Nigerian ambassadors.
They made the clarification in a statement issued in Abakiliki, the Ebonyi State capital, the Nigeria High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia and Dean of Non-Career Ambassadors of Nigeria, Amb. Nwanne Ominyi, at the weekend.
Ominyi disclosed that the envoys were focused and remain steadfast on diplomatic affairs and their welfare.
Also read: Crisis rocks Nigeria’s foreign mission, envoys dare minister
He however expressed the envoys’ readiness to return home once their payment of passages and other entitlements were made.
His words: “The Nigeria High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia and Dean of Non-Career Ambassadors of Nigeria has regrettably taken note of a recent publication by the Mandate for National Values and Integrity in Nigeria (MNVIN), as reported by Sahara Reporters on November 11, 2023.
“Additionally, there has been a reaction from the Nigeria Grand Progressive Network (NGPN) published by Opr. news of 15th November 2023, associating the Ambassador and his colleagues with MNVIN and its stated opinions.
“Imperative to clarify unequivocally that the views expressed by MNVIN are solely theirs, and the Ambassador is not affiliated with the group, nor has any dealings of any sort.
“Contrary to any suggestions, he has not advocated for the dismissal of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusufu Tuggar. His focus remains steadfast on diplomatic affairs and the welfare of Nigerian ambassadors, who entrusted to him the deanship. Ambassador OMINYI for those who know him can attest that he is a courageous politician who does not canvass his opinion under a faceless group.”
He also raised concerns regarding the Minister’s handling of recall, including the failure to send the attendant passages up till now and consequently making it difficult for the missions to pay the envoys their legitimate entitlements, adding that the group expressed its personal opinion as the Ambassadors are not part of the calls for his resignation.
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