By Lawrence Olaoye
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm greetings to one of Nigeria’s foremost career diplomats and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ignatius Olisemeka, at 87, commending his impressive record of service to the nation for 42 years.
In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President extolled the former minister’s sense of loyalty and unwavering commitment to nation building as a diplomat and Nigeria’s ambassador to nine countries, with a unique profile of establishing the country’s missions in Israel and Cote d’Ivoire.
The President believed Olisemeka’s rare privilege of serving as an ambassador of Nigeria to the two holiest places in Christendom, Jerusalem and The Holy See, demonstrated the divine guidance in his choice to serve the country as a diplomat.
As he turns 87, Buhari urged the octogenarian to continue sharing his wealth of experience with younger diplomats, and sustain the counsels to governments and national institutions, describing him as a national asset.
The President congratulated Olisemeka’s family, friends and professional colleagues on the auspicious occasion, praying that God will grant him longer life and good health.
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