AMAZING: SEE 100 DAYS OF AN INNOVATIVE AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP OF AMB ELIJAH CHINEZIM ONYEAGBA PhD; THE NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF NIGERIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI.
Elijah Onyeagba
Igba Media Team August 10, 2021
On July 1st 2020, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nominated “Amb Elijah Chinezim Onyeagba, PhD” as the Ambassador designate to the Republic of Burundi and in accordance with section 171(2) (1c) and Subsection 4 of the 1999 constitution, he communicated same (the nomination) to the National Assembly for approval and confirmation.
On July 17th 2020, the screening exercise at the Senate level was conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, ably led by Distinguished Senator Bulkachuwa Mohammed representing Bauchi South Senatorial District and Senate Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs.
The Committee Members were visibly amazed at the profile of the young man named Elijah Chinezim Onyegba PhD. According to the Committee Chairman, Senator Bulkachuwa, he said _*”Your Excellency Elijah, you’re amazing. Mr President sent us your CV, we don’t believe that a man at your age has this intimidating profile”._
The Committee after the interview affirmed his nomination as an Ambassador Designate.
COLLECTION OF LETTERS OF CREDENCE
On April 1st 2021, His Excellency Amb Elijah Chinezim Onyeagba PhD received his Letters of Credence from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an official commission by the President to represent the country and equally to act as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria to the Republic of Burundi. After receiving the deed of his diplomatic assignment, Amb Elijah Onyegba PhD promised to be at his best at all times, to protect and defend the nations diplomatic interest.
In his acceptance speech, he promised that he will initiate new strategic procedures that will further boost the nations diplomatic ties with his host country, the Republic of Burundi.
_According to him, “I’m the youngest among the appointees and therefore have the additional responsibility of proving to the Government that the younger generation has come of age and is ready to make impact in the national leadership timeline._
THE BURUNDI APPROVAL
Armed with his diplomatic authorization on April 29th 2021, Amb Elijah Chinezim Onyegba PhD, arrived at the Burundi International Airport, Bujumbura to assume Office as the Head of Nigeria Mission in Burundi.
He arrived in the company of his wife, Lady Udo Onyeagba and his Chief of Staff, Sir Patrick Ogochukwu Egolum. On arrival, the delegation was treated to a grand reception by the Nigerian Embassy Staff, the Nigerian community in Burundi and friends of Nigeria Mission in Bujumbura.
PRESENTATION OF LETTERS OF CREDENCE
After documentation
n May 20th 2021, His Excellency Amb Elijah Chinezim Onyeagba presented his letters of Credence to His Excellency Amb Albert Shingiro, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Burundi, who communicated the same to the President.
On July 21st 2021, His Excellency Amb Elijah Chinezim Onyeagba PhD presented his letters of Credence to the President of Burundi, His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye.
According to the Nigerian Ambassador, “Mr President, I bring you good tidings and compliments from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari”. The Nigeria diplomat opined that the President’s Diplomatic Charter remained for countries in Africa to continue to maintain regional and sub-regional security. He was later treated to a state reception by the president of the Republic Burundi.
COURTESY VISIT TO VARIOUS EMBASSIES, HIGH COMMISSIONS AND CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES.
Charged with the Diplomatic Charter of the Nigerian President for the Mission, Amb Elijah Chinezim Onyegba PhD quickly moved into action with consultation at various levels.
i) He visited the Tanzanian Ambassador to Burundi, Her Excellency Dr Jilly Maleko, at their Embassy in Bujumbura.
ii) He met with the Chargé D’affaires, His Excellency Christopher Katangawa Banzai at the Democratic Republic Of Congo Embassy in Bujumbura.
iii) Courtesy Visit to the Chinese Ambassador to Burundi, His Excellency Zhao Jiangping
iv) Courtesy Visit to the Dutch Ambassador to Burundi, Amb Jerome Steeghs at the Netherlands Embassy, Bujumbura.
v) Courtesy Visit to the Embassy of Algeria in Bujumbura and was received by the Head of Mission, His Excellency Mohammed Qubaziz
vi) Courtesy Visit to the Turkish Embassy in Bujumbura and was received by the Turkish Ambassador, Her Excellency Serap Atacy.
vii) Courtesy Visit to the Ambassador of France to Burundi, His Excellency Amb Stephanie Greenberg.
viii) Courtesy Visit to the Libyan Embassy in Bujumbura and was received by the Chargé D’Affaires En-titre, Mohammad Faraj Karwad.
ix) Courtesy Visit to the Belgian Ambassador to Burundi, His Excellency Amb Alan Van Gucht.
x) Courtesy Visit to the South African Ambassador to Burundi, Her Excellency Amb Kgomot Jolobe at the South African Embassy, Bujumbura.
xi) Courtesy Visit to the Egyptian Ambassador to Burundi, His Excellency, Amb Yaser El-Atawi.
xii) Courtesy Visit to the Dean of Diplomatic corps in Burundi who doubles also as the Ugandan Ambassador to Burundi, His Excellency, Amb Matayo Kyalugouzu.
xiii) Courtesy Visit to the United States Ambassador to Burundi, Her Excellency Melanie H. Higgins.
2) COURTESY VISIT TO BURUNDI GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
i) Courtesy Visit to the Vice President Of The Republic Of Burundi, His Excellency, Engr Prosper Bazombanza.
ii) Courtesy Visit to the Burundian First Lady, Her Excellency Angeline Ndayishimiye.
iii) Courtesy Visit to the Permanent Secretary Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Burundi, His Excellency Isidore Ntirampeba
iv) Courtesy Visit to the Leader Of The Ruling Party in Burundi CNDD-FDD, Hon Reverien Ndikuriyo
v) Courtesy Visit to the President of the Senate, Hon Sinzohagera at Gitega, Burundi.
vi) Courtesy Visit to the Managing Director of Banque De L’Habitate Burundi – Construction Bank, Mr Pascal Girukwishaka
3) COURTESY VISIT TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND AGENCIES
i) Courtesy Visit to the Rwanda Head Of Mission in Burundi, CDA Fidele Munyeshyaka.
ii) Courtesy Visit to the African Union Special Representative for Great Lakes Region in Burundi, His Excellency Amb Basile Ikouebe, where issues of security challenges in Africa and African Development were discussed.
iii) Meeting with the Executives of the Nigerian Community in Bujumbura.
iv) Meeting with the UN Security Adviser, Dr Charles Tive, with the UN Department of Safety and Security in Bujumbura.
v) Meeting with young Private Sector players, Mr James Mugisha, Mr David Ejoyi and Mr Jerry Olayinka at the Nigerian Embassy in Bujumbura.
On July 1st, 2021, the good people of Burundi in a grand style, commemorated their 50th Independence Anniversary. It was a week-long celebration that started with the Burundian President hosting various diplomatic missions in Burundi and culminated in an eventful diplomatic week.
Amb Elijah Chinezim Onyegba PhD was part of these great events as he conveyed the earnest wishes of the Nigerian President and Nigerians to the President of Burundi and Burundians.
Finally, the activities of the 100 days in Office of the Nigerian Ambassador to Burundi will not be completed without the mention of the signing of the Historic Nigerian-Burundi Joint Commission after series of extensive consultations with the Government and people of Burundi.
Impact on Nigeria Economic index
The vast diplomatic consultations made by the Nigeria Head of Mission in Burundi provided him with first-hand information on many diplomatic agreements existing between other nations and the Republic of Burundi. The strategic leader acted as a timely guide to initiating, facilitating, inaugurating and signing first-ever Nigeria- Burundi Joint Commission within the first 100 days in office.
Under this commission, Nigeria will partner with many key players in the sectors of Burundi’s economy such as tourism, trade, investment, education, health and politics cum good governance.
This will radically create many job opportunities in both economies, strengthen diplomatic ties, enhance various democratic institutions of both states and equally ensure a boost to Africa regional and sub-regional peace!
With the signing of this Joint commission, Nigerian investors are now diplomatically protected and insured of their investments under this commission. The good news is that Burundi is not just attractive but a secure destination for Nigerians to do their business.
Also, expatriates who will be sent for various assignments by the Commission will be endowed with international experience vis-a-vis cultural interactions and knowledge exchange, which when harvested back home will produce desired results. It will help in advancing our educational, technical and health advancement policies.
As an astute banker of repute, His Excellency facilitated over 300 grants from CBN via NIRSAL Microfinance Bank for Nigerians who were negatively hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their households and businesses.