Dr Dalhatu Tafida, the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, has advised diplomats to show more commitment in the discharge of their duties for effective service delivery.
Tafida gave the advice on Saturday at a send-off dinner in honour of his Special Assistant, Mr Sola Enikanolaiye and his wife, Adunni, on the completion of a three-year official duty tour of the UK.
?“Efficiency and service delivery are commitments that officers in the Foreign Service must take seriously in responding to the needs of its stakeholders both at home and abroad,” the envoy said.
?Tafida who singled out Enikanolaiye for his commitment to duty, hard work and service delivery, described him as “a special officer” in the Nigerian Foreign Service.
The envoy also commended him for his immense contribution to the reform processes of the Nigerian Mission in the UK.
“Enikanolaiye offered me advice which we can sometimes argue; on digging deeper, I will accept them because they were always very sensible and useful.
“He is a very straight forward person; my working with him has taught me a lot,” Tafida said while wishing him the best in his new assignment.
?Also speaking, Amb. Ayo Oke, Head of African Section, Political Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, described Enikanolaiye as a hard worker and a good listener.
“His perspective to issues and problems always shows that he does not only give advice but also empathises, putting himself in the shoes of whoever was concerned,” Oke said.
“Whatever we do, we are not really complete without others, so we can only be people through other people; that is what Enikanolaiye symbolises,” he added.
Some of his colleagues including Messrs Cyril Anozie, Simon Ogar and Ahmed Umar, described him as “a Cicero and a teacher.”
Also speaking, Mr Bimbo Folayan, Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), who spoke on behalf of the Nigerian community, commended Enikanolaiye for his contributions to the welfare of the community.
Folayan, who described him as a de-tribalised Nigerian, said his contributions during the Nigeria at 50 Jubilee Anniversary celebration hosted by the Mission, stood him out.
“He gave us a listening ear and rendered immense support to members of the community in the UK irrespective of your tribe or religion; we wish him well in his new assignment.”
In his response, Enikanolaiye expressed gratitude to Tafida for the confidence and trust reposed in him and the opportunity to serve.
“He is a man of integrity; he is principled and organised; these are the key attributes I am taking away working with an experienced man like Tafida,” he said.
Enikanolaiye , 54, joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1982 and had also served in Belgrade Yugoslavia, now Serbia, Ethiopia and Canada, before his posting to London in 2008.
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