Oba of Benin, Ikimi Reflect on Their Days in Foreign Service

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, yesterday reflected on their days in the foreign service of Nigeria as diplomats when the late Ambassador Mbu was the Doyen of Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission to the Scandinavian.
This reminiscing occurred when both met at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City.

Addressing the Benin throne, Ikimi, showered encomium on Oba Ewuare II for his outstanding contributions that helped to shape Nigeria and solicited for prayers having attained a significant milestone in life.

The former external Affairs Minister congratulated the Oba on his forthcoming investiture as Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
“Your Majesty, you are one of the leaders in this world that I appreciate. I respect our tradition and I have come to congratulate you for what you have done in building the revered Kingdom of Benin. You have shown respect and everyone respects the Benin Kingdom under your leadership.

“I congratulate you for the effort you made when I was foreign Minister in accepting to be our Ambassador in the Scandinavian where you put in your best,” Ikimi said.
Welcoming his guest, Chief Tom Ikimi, on behalf of his Chiefs and the Royal family, Ewuare II, recalled when they were posted as Vanguard, Diplomatic warriors in Foreign Mission.
The traditional ruler, who went down memory lane on their service in foreign lands, noted that it was indeed tough when Nigeria was tagged a ‘pariah state’, which international Community was not pleased with.

“We had to do a lot of work to launder the image of the country. I want to say thank you for your support during that period. My posting at that time was like a training ground for me. So, I had all the support at that time because you were in office,” Oba Ewuare II enthused.