The Impactful Ambassador: Lessons Elijah taught us in Burundi

As the 2021 Ambassadors nominated by President Muhammad Buhari wind up their term, it is only appropriate that we give credence to those who have distinguished themselves in service to the fatherland to inspire others. Envoys have a long history of existence in the world, popularised during the Italian Renaissance in the 15th century, they have been with us ever since behind the scenes protecting the interest of their country in other lands and ensuring that both countries have a mutually beneficial relationship. An Envoy, otherwise known as an Ambassador in Nigeria and in many countries across the globe is the official representative of a country in another who is expected to creatively find areas of mutual benefits for both countries despite the divergence of interest.

Hence, for an Ambassador to perform credibly well he or she must be a patriot with no measure of doubt and should exhibit intelligence in the understanding of economics and International relationship and diplomacy.

When President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Amb. Elijah Onyeagba in the year 2020 as a Nigerian envoy and later posted to Burundi in 2021, I did not doubt that he had sieved through his qualities and found him worthy. Amb. Elijah Onyeagba is one of the smartest men I have met, perhaps the most patriotic Nigerian that I know. With an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in Economics, Elijah is a model diplomat.

My initial misgivings about his posting to Burundi began to give way to excitement and pride when within the first two months of his stay in Bujumbura he began to show leadership and coalesce soft powers from different sectors of the Burundian Economy for Nigeria. Burundi is not exactly that country any ambassador would love to get posted to, a Google search of economic indices from the country will sadden the incurable optimist but not an Elijah who believes in miracles. Excitedly he left for Bujumbura with one thing in mind promote Nigeria for all its positivity and to ensure that the Burundian people find Nigerians worthy allies in their journey to economic prosperity.

It is now two years since Elijah was sent to Burundi and in the wisdom of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 2021 set of Ambassadors has been recalled. As Ambassador Elijah winds up his term as the Nigerian Ambassador it is vital that we look at what has made him one of the best Ambassadors to emerge from Nigeria in the last decades and the lessons thereof:

The first lesson is that the economy is still the major soft power in diplomacy; Diplomacy is the ability to influence without being seen. Countries who wish to extend their reach and influence across the globe have found economic tools as the quickest way to influence without being seen. It is for no reason that the USA has considerable interest in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and through that has been able to influence countries for the protection of the US interest. China, fast emerging as a world power is also using economic diplomacy veritably for its interest, especially in Africa. It is therefore necessary that Nigeria, the dominant power in Africa, must toe the same path to increase its influence across the globe. This Elijah understood and within his first three months in office set up the Nigerian-Burundi Business Council headed by Paul Chukwuma to explore areas of common interest for Nigeria and Burundi economically. The Maiden summit of this Council was held in September 2022. From this initiative, a Nigerian-owned University, Olivia University now exists in Burundi. Nigerian companies now supply urea and fertilisers to Burundi whose economy is built on Agriculture. Another Nigerian company has also supplied thousands of palm oil seedlings to Burundi and is on the verge of supplying plantain suckers. All These never existed till Elijah came and performed a miracle. With his efforts, Burundians see Nigeria as a country that seeks out its well-being in Africa and is ever ready to protect the interest of Nigeria whenever the need arises

Another Important lesson we learnt from Elijah’s stay in Burundi is that it’s the job of the diplomat to intentionally seek friendship with his host country for the interest of his country. Their relationship need not be binary or excessively bureaucratic. Elijah went out of his way to court friendship for Nigeria. This intentional act has led Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye to visit Nigeria twice, including one that involved him having a town hall meeting with the Nigerian youths led by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN. Members of the Burundian Parliaments have also visited Nigeria and various government delegations from Nigeria including Senators and the hierarchy of the Nigerian Military have also visited Burundi. Our Arts are not left out, as the Ambassador was able to take our Afrobeats to Burundi with Timaya performing in person. The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University has also visited to explore various areas of collaboration as it relates to exchange programmes and educational consultancy. This is how diplomacy works- protecting mutual interests and always looking out for each other.

The Third Lesson is that Sports is an important aspect of subtle diplomacy which is often ignored. Few things in life excite and drive passion as sports. It unites and builds friendships on the spot. The patriot Elijah constantly searching for how to make Nigeria the darling of Burundians knew Sports was one of such and with no delay set up the RUNBUJA, a marathon event organised by the Nigerian Embassy in Burundi to foster a relationship between both countries. Burundians love to run, it is natural to them and the RUNBUJA, whose third edition was held in September of 2023, is now a hit in the country and attracting more goodwill for Nigeria

Lesson four is that an Ambassador must also be the chief marketing officer of his host country, and drive their interest in his own country, this way the relationship becomes symbiotic. To do this, the Ambassador must develop a liking for his host country and promote their positive traits. This Elijah did successfully, I am certain he has never said anything negative about Burundi, he is always eager to promote their culture and spartan lifestyle. His promotion won many converts which saw many Nigerians visiting Burundi for tourism within the last two years. Elijah’s laser-focused efforts also led to the birth of a visa-on-arrival policy for Nigerians in Burundi

The Final and fifth lesson is that lemonades can still be made out of lemons, a posting to Burundi would have weighed anyone down due to the economic statistics of the country and considering that they were struggling to get going after years of a painful civil war, but Elijah did not despair, he went to Burundi with his face sunny and his shoulders high and will now leave the place as one of the best Ambassadors Nigeria ever had.

As Elijah bows out, I remember the words of the greatest diplomat of the 21st century, Henry Kissinger when he wrote that “ every success only buys an admission to a more difficult problem” Men like Elijah are assets and as Nigeria looks to grow its relationship with the West and Asia, his experience should be counted to engage with emerging blocks in both continent to grow the $1tr economy that President Tinubu envisaged

Obi Trice Chukwuemeka writes from Awgbu in Anambra State