LAGOS - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, in Lagos on Thursday decried lack of books in the Foreign Service Academy, and promised to donate copies of his book “Citizen Diplomacy”.
Maduekwe made the observation while declaring open the 18th Diplomats Regular Course.
“It is worrisome to have an academy with a library without good books especially for upcoming diplomats, who are being trained to represent the country in different parts of the world.
“NIIA is to supply the academy’s library with about 50 copies of my book on Citizen Diplomacy,’’ said.
The minister also promised to use his good offices to seek support for the development of the institution.
He added that he would ensure immediate payment of arrears of diplomats’ course allowances.
Maduekwe described the institution as the most important arm of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs “because it is training-oriented’’.
“What we need from the academy is knowledge-based intellectual products; the umpires of the nation’s foreign relations should be knowledgeable,’’ Maduekwe said.
He urged the diplomats to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they found themselves after the course.
Earlier, Mr Mohammed Suleiman, Monitor of the class, called on the minister to hasten the provision of electricity, current books, computers and Internet facilities to the academy.
Suleiman regretted the non-payment of the course allowance.
“This has made it difficult for us to concentrate on the programme;this allowance would have assisted us in getting the necessary books and materials,’’ he said.
Mr Seyi Onafowokan, the Academy’s Director, called for urged urgent implementation of the Hart Committee Report and provision for diplomats’ tour of states.
“This is important because a diplomat that does not have a good knowledge of his country cannot effectively represent her especially in areas attracting direct foreign investment.
Onafowokan said the academy accommodated about 120 course participants, who upon graduation would bring the number of diplomats who passed through it since inception to about 2,000.
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