By Ismaila Chafe
Abuja, March 13, 2022
President Muhammadu Buhari and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide have felicitated elder statesman and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ignatius Olisemeka, on his 90th birthday.
In a congratulatory message released by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Sunday in Abuja, Buhari joined the career political diplomat who closely worked with him over many years, to celebrate the milestone.
He also felicitated Olisemeka’s family, friends and associates as they rejoice with the nonagenarian.
The president noted that Olisaemeka’s imprint on Nigeria’s international relations remains strong and relevant, sustaining relations with countries, multilateral institutions and foreign investors.
Buhari extolled his discipline, diligence and social skills in winning and keeping friends for the country, building a strong network and inspiring younger diplomats on the value of healthy and functional relations.
He particularly lauded Olisemeka for attracting goodwill, which he said translates to growth and development in the highly globalised world.
The president prayed for Olisemeka’ good health, strength, and sound mind.
In its message by Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, its National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide said that “the life of Ambassador Olisemeka is a veritable tribute to hard work, probity, humility, discipline and creative intelligence.”
The statement pointed out that the President General of the apex Igbo organization, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, who is elated that Olisemeka has attained 90, refers to the elder statesman “as an exemplary diplomat with several enviable attributes.”
Full text of the statement reads:
OHANAEZE NDIGBO FELICITATES OLISEMEKA@90
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide joins numerous friends and well-wishers both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora to felicitate Ambassador Ignatius Chukuemeka Olisemeka at 90, on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Olisemeka was a career diplomat who served as a Nigerian Ambassador to nine countries, including Spain, Israel, Canada, the United States of America (USA) with a climax as Nigerian Foreign Minister in 1999.
The life of Ambassador Olisemeka is a veritable tribute to hard work, probity, humility, discipline and creative intelligence. While in public service, he demonstrated an uncommon sense of ethical principles, innermost convictions and resolutions with a cheerful courtesy and candour. References are often made that while Olisemeka served as an Ambassador in the US, he once directed the diplomatic staff to withdraw their children from private to public schools. In line with Nigerian syndrome, public schools in Washington DC metropolis were well-equipped but diplomats preferred the private to public schools as a form of elitism. This was not only a cost saving measure but a strong message to the Washington D. C community that prudence is key. The above Olisemeka disposition is a moral to the highly placed Nigerian public officers that introspection pays better than the flamboyance, unnecessary display of ostentation and avoidable capital flight by sending their children to expensive schools abroad for education to the detriment of the worsening conditions of Nigerian schools.
Olisemeka’s devotion to the service of the nation was above and beyond the call of duty. He discharged his duties with an amazing commitment, incredible promptness, zest, elegance and panache. Above all, Olisemeka exemplifies simplicity, morality, integrity and honour even at his retirement. Olisemeka remains a worthy ambassador of the desired balance between the Igbo culture, urbane and native intelligence. He is indeed an accomplished and quintessential career diplomat and elder statesman.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor is elated that Olisemeka has attained 90. He refers to Olisemeka as an exemplary diplomat with several enviable attributes. Obiozor wishes Your Excellency many more years of good health, manifest grace and perfect peace of mind.
Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
