Envoy Endoni arrives Burkina Faso, pledges stronger ties

By Lateef Ibrahim

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Amb. Syndoph Endoni, has arrived in Ouagadougou to assume duty as Nigeria’s principal diplomatic representative in the West African country.

Endoni arrived in the Burkinabe capital to a rousing welcome from Burkinabe officials, members of the African diplomatic corps, Nigerian Embassy officials and representatives of the Nigerian community.

A statement on Thursday disclosed that the Director of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities at the Burkinabe State House Protocol, Albert Djiguembe, was among officials who received him on arrival at the airport.

Also at the reception were Ghana’s Ambassador, Kenneth Akibate and his Chadian counterpart, Mahamat Ahmat, representing the African Group of Ambassadors.

They were joined by diplomatic Officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, duty station officers of the embassy and members of the Nigerian community to welcome the new ambassador.

At the embassy, Endoni was greeted with another colourful welcome from schoolchildren, cultural groups, staff and members of the Nigerian community.

The reception featured cultural displays and a dinner organised in honour of the new Nigerian envoy.

The statement said arrangements were underway for Endoni to formally present his Letters of Credence to the Burkinabe authorities.

The presentation will formally mark the commencement of his ambassadorial responsibilities and full diplomatic engagement with the government of Burkina Faso.

Speaking during a brief interaction with Nigerians at the embassy, Endoni pledged to strengthen unity within the Nigerian community and maintain close engagement with its members.

He assured the community of his readiness to work with Nigerians across Burkina Faso and promote a stronger sense of common purpose.

“We will work closely together to ensure that we remain one family, one community and one Nigeria,” Endoni said.

The ambassador stressed the importance of diaspora unity in strengthening Nigeria’s image, protecting citizens’ interests and supporting effective bilateral relations.

Endoni is a career diplomat who has represented Nigeria in several diplomatic missions and assignments across the world.

Until his appointment as Ambassador to Burkina Faso, he served as Chargé d’Affaires at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York.

Endoni said Nigeria and Burkina Faso share long-standing political, economic and people-to-people relations, as well as common interests in peace, security and development within the sub-region.

According to him, the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou is also expected to deepen consular support for Nigerians living and doing business in Burkina Faso.

Endoni expressed the optimism that his assumption of duty would strengthen diplomatic engagement with Burkinabe authorities while promoting the welfare and unity of Nigerians in the country.

He said the warm reception on his arrival by Burkinabe officials, fellow African diplomats and the Nigerian community signalled expectations of stronger cooperation during his tenure.

The ambassador is expected to begin formal engagements with the host government after the presentation of his Letters of Credence soon.

Endoni’s posting comes at a significant period in relations among West African states, with security, trade, migration and regional stability remaining major issues on the diplomatic agenda.

“Our passionate appeal is for the government to reinstate us and pay all outstanding monies as directed by the court. We are languishing in poverty after serving this state for decades.

Let them comply with the law and pay us our entitlements,” Gbande urged.

However, efforts to obtain a reaction from the SUBEB Chairperson, Dr. Grace Adagba, were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to phone calls or text messages sent to her line prior to press time.