Sterling Leadership of Ambassador Maureen Tamuno

“Leadership is never an avenue to be self-serving but a platform to render great service to people,’’ writes Nigerian-born writer and educator, Ifeanyi Onuoha.

You won’t be far from the truth if you say this writer had in mind Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Maureen Tamuno, when he penned this piece.

She has indeed dedicated her entire life to the service of her people. It is also true that if you have ever followed the story of this intelligent diplomat, you will attest to the fact that she is indeed someone who understands what service to humanity is all about.

Over the years, she has proven her stewardship to the selfless cause having served in different capacities. Before her present position as an ambassador, she had held several positions, including her tenure as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ogu Bolo Constituency in Rivers State. The beautiful story of that era is still being told in glowing terms, especially for the fact that she did what many thought was impossible and ensured the provision of public amenities to her constituents. A good example is the 11.8km national grid project ( light) to Bolo community (an Island) in Rivers where when electricity comes, the people say “Maureen don come” and vice versa. This is among many other people-oriented programmes and projects she initiated and executed.

Following her appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica in 2021, she immediately hit the ground running by showcasing herself as a perfect embodiment of panache and progressive diplomacy.

Since then, she has proved beyond any doubt that she knows her onion very well by taking her assignment seriously as if she was born with it. Of course, she was born with sterling leadership qualities. The well-educated Tamuno, with an intimidating profile, has been very proactive and continually putting the country on the global stage.

She has scored many firsts with unprecedented achievements, far beyond any of her successors, a feat that would be hard for many to beat. Her assignment in Jamaica has brought out the best in her with so many awards as testimonials and badges of honour for excellent service to her fatherland.

A source revealed to Society Watch that as her tenure winds up with her diplomatic assignment in Jamaica, her fans expect more responsibilities to be thrown on her lap by the new administration.