Committee of Friends drawn from several walks of life gathered on Thursday evening to send forth Dame Maureen Tamuno, the Nigerian Ambassador designate to the Republic of Jamaica.
Tamuno’s responsibility also covers representing her fatherland in Belize, Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
Speaking at the occasion, the occasion, the wife of the Minister of Transportation, Dame Judith Amaechi described Mrs Tamuno as a woman per excellence,a dependable ally and a goal getter.
Amaechi recalled her relationship with Tamuno when she ( Tamuno was the local government Chairman of Ogu/ Bolo Local Government Council and noted the cordiality that existed between them which she said was uncommon for women appointed by spouses.
According to her, Tamuno as a trusted personality would work hard not only to cement the relations existing between Nigeria and Jamaica but would use her experience to unlock business opportunities for Nigerians.
She thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the first lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari for the appointment of Mrs Tamuno.
Also speaking, Senator Binta Masi Garba who spoke on behalf of the Committee of friends recalled the symbiotic relationship between Tamuno and her for about 30 years.
Garba said they once belonged to a christian programme in their days in Kaduna called the Flame Fellowship Christian Women Organisation.
” Our spirits clicked,we became prayer patners from there, today it is history.”
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According to her what happened in Rivers state was not easy but said that one thing noteworthy among other attributes of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi was his reward for his loyalists.
She thanked the Minister for nominating Maureen for the ambassadorial post and also thanked his wife,Judith for standing firm with the women.
On his part, a colleague of Tamuno who is the ambassador to Morocco, Mozambique and Mauritius, Mr Yamah Musa ,said Tamuno was one of those instrumental to the setting up of the council of South South Ambassadors in Nigeria.
” I met Maureen during our training together as Ambassador nominees just about 3-4 months back.
” We have a couple of fellow ambassadors from the South South region and we tried to form a council of Ambassadors from the South South regiion of Nigeria.And that idea was born by myself and her Excellency Maureen.
Musa said the reason for the council was to ensure political relevance back home adding that the idea had started yielding results.
” During our training, Maureen stood very high among all the 68 female ambassadors who were being trained.
” All together we are 92, and for the very first time, this country has the highest trunk of ambassadors as females.So kudos to leadership for recognizing the leadership abilities of all the women.
” And among those women are those who stood very tall and sent to very tough countries.
He said with the stuff she is made of, serving beyond the frontier of Nigeria would not be strange to her.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportatlion, Magdalene Ajani extolled the rare qualities of humility and goodwill demonstrated by the Ambassador in their first meeting which according to her, made her look out for her in gatherings as she noted that only a few women who had been mistreated by their fellow women would still relate with her.
” Of course Iam not surprised that the minister picked out the best in you and nominated you for this position.
” You have held other positions,you have distinguished yourself, Everybody is speaking tonight, please go out there and continue to shine in the light’
” I have never been to Jamaica but I promise you, I will come to Jamaica because of you” she said.
For Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs , he had no doubt that Tamuno would make Nigeria proud.
Ojudu said Tamuno already started working on plan of action before her swearing in adding that she had engineered flight services between Nigeria and Jamaica which hopefully would soon see influx of Nigerian tourists into Jamaica.
Mrs Alayengi Sylva,wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, described Tamuno as one with the midas touch.
Sylva expressed optimism that Tamuno would bring her wealth of experience to bear on her new assignment.
Responding, Ambassador Tamuno thanked God for touching the hearts of kings and hearts of men for making it possible for her to be among the 98 people so appointed to represent the country in missions abroad.
Tamuno thanked President Buhariand his wife for the appointment and was full of gratitude for the Hon Minister of Transportation,Rt the Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for finding her worthy for the nomination.
She spoke on the issue of loyalty saying those who are loyal are bound to reap the reward of their loyalty no matter how long .
The night did not go unnoticed as dance, merriment filled the air.
Ambassador Tamuno was once Chairman of Ogu/ Bolo Local Government Council of Rivers State .She also represented Okrika/ Ogu Bolo Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Following her indefatiguable approach to better services for the people of Ogu Bolo/ she was conferred with a chieftaincy title.
The event was attended by many other dignitaries including a former Director- General, National Sports Commission, ,Gbenga Elegbeleye, former Director General, Women Development Centre,Abuja, Mrs Mary Epere.and former governoship candidate of Rivers State, Engr,Biokpo Awara.
This appointment is a mark of her commitment to her humble,loyal stewardwardship.
Congratulations to Her Excellency Ambassador designate Mrs.Maureen Tamuno.