How Buhari Resisted Stiff Opposition to Appoint Mrs. Emenike as Nigeria’s First Female Ambassador to U.S

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

It has emerged that the appointment of Mrs. Uzoma Ikechi Emenike as the first woman to become Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States did not come easy as it was met with stiff oppositions from several quarters.

The intrigues that followed the historic appointment were revealed Wednesday, by High Chief Ikechi Emenike, during the annual thanksgiving of his family at St. John’s Methodist Church, Umukabia Okpuala in Umuahia North Local Government, Abia State.

He said that several people and interest groups did everything possible to dissuade then President Muhammadu Buhari to drop Mrs. Emenike as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S. mainly because of her gender.

According to him, the only grouse against his wife was the fact that she is a woman, and in the warped mindset of her traducers, Nigeria’s Embassy in Washington DC, considered the flagship of the nation’s foreign missions, should not be entrusted to a woman.

But history was made in January 2021 when Buhari refused to budge and confirmed Mrs. Emenike’s appointment, designated her as the Ambassador to the U.S and sent her to preside over Nigeria’s affairs in the U.S.

Chief Emenike stated that Buhari had refused to yield to pressure having been so impressed with the academic, diplomatic and leadership credentials of Ambassador Emenike, who has seven degrees, including Masters and PhD. She was Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Ireland and also Iceland before she took over in the U.S.

Emenike said he was happy that his wife has justified the confidence Buhari had reposed in her with the historic appointment, adding that she went to Washington and performed more than her male predecessors.

Ambassador Emenike poured out her heartfelt gratitude to God for seeing her through in the tough assignment of heading Nigeria’s flagship foreign mission in Washington DC.

She noted that apart from discharging her duties creditably, Nigeria’s Embassy in the U.S was freed of indebtedness of any kind during her tenure and the nation’s image soared among the comity of nations.

Earlier in his homily, the Rev Joseph Madubuike commended Chief Emenike for his unwavering gratitude to God and his family’s tradition of thanksgiving.