Why Jonathan made Tukur Ambassador-at-Large – Foreign Affairs Minister

By Lawrence Olaoye

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan appointed the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ambassador-at-Large in order to place the country at the core of global affairs.

According to him, Jonathan took particular interest in Tukur’s the global links as well as his sense of dedication to national cause in offering him the special job.

Wali made this known when he presented a Letter of Credence to Tukur at the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Wednesday.

He charged the Ambassador-At-Large to make Nigeria a global player within the period of time he would be actively engaged in his new official duty, stressing that the President and the rest of Nigeria would count on him to do so.

To underscore the importance of the new assignment for Tukur, the Minister noted that it has been 40 years now that a Nigerian government appointed an Ambassador-At-Large.

He recalled that it was indeed, the First Prime Minister of Nigeria, late Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, who first took the initiative by appointing late Chief K. O. Mbadiwe as an Ambassador-At-Large.

Wali said by being appointed as an Ambassador-At-Large, the world is now on Tukur’s feet, as according to him, he would be representing President Jonathan in any international forum, where he may not be chanced to be in attendance.

He told Tukur that the new task entrusted to him demands much efforts, being a ‘heavy’ responsibility.

While thanking President Jonathan for considering Tukur, who is also the Chairman of Nigerian Railway Corporation, for the enviable job, the Foreign Affairs Minister said he has confidence in Tukur’s ability to carry on with the new task.

Responding, Tukur said he was humbled by the privilege offered him by the President to serve in a new capacity.

He noted that the gesture from the President represented a huge trust in him, as he vowed to discharge his duties in the new office with a sense of commitment and desire to assist in placing Nigeria on the level it rightly belongs.

He said, “People said respect begets respect and that confidence begets confidence. I understand the heavy responsibility now entrusted to me and all I can ask for is the wisdom to make me discharge it responsibly.

“People used to call me a global villager, now it is turning now that I am now a global Ambassador which comes with a higher responsibility”.

Tukur vowed to give very good representation to the President Jonathan with his new duty, recalling that the late Mbadiwe did his best as the first Ambassador-At-Large.