Stories by Stanley Onyekwere
To ensure sustainable global peace and security, the Country Director / CEO of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigeria Branch, Mr. Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi has stressed the need to enhance commitment to multilateralism, as it provides platform for deepening connectivity, consultations and interactions.
Bayewumi noted that importance of multilateralism at ensuring wellbeing of humanity and promoting mutual respect and global peace, cannot be overemphasized.
He spoke at the 2025 Nigerian edition of the Commonwealth High Commissioners’ Banquet and Awards themed: “Our Commonwealth, Our Shared Heritage, And Our Shared Prosperity”, on Tuesday, hosted at the Abuja Continental Hotel (Formerly Abuja Sheraton Hotel), Wuse, Abuja.
The Country Director, in an address, described the 2025 edition of Commonwealth High Commissioners’ Banquet as a historic event, because it is the second to be hosted not only in Nigeria, but in Africa.
According to him, the complexity embedded in managing relationship among diverse countries could be overwhelming, but for multilateralism which provides platform for deepening connectivity, consultations and interactions.
He explains: “Commonwealth as one of the leading multilateral organizations, second to the United Nations, it is an association of governments and peoples, built around shared language, institutions, challenges, aspirations and values.
“Unlike most other international associations, the Commonwealth works on a consensus model and membership is voluntary, predicated primarily on a country’s commitment to upholding shared values and principles, including the protection and promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
“For the last few years, the High Commissioners’ Banquet has been held at Guildhall in partnership with the City of London Corporation and is an annual opportunity to bring together the Commonwealth’s London-based diplomatic representatives and UK and Commonwealth thought and business leaders.
“Indeed, history has been made again today and we are all part of that history. Nigeria of our dream is ours to build.
“And the future starts from our action today. The task ahead of us it to make our world a peaceful, safer, cleaner and a better world.”
He thanked Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, for the partnership and collaboration of his Ministry in hosting the historic event.
He also thanked other ministries, departments, agencies, missions, institutions, companies and individuals that contributed to the success of the event.
Also speaking, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa , said the event as a commendable initiative underscores collective commitment to enhancing economic growth, facilitating trade, and promoting investment,
not only in Nigeria, but throughout the Commonwealth.
Dabiri-Erewa, represented by NIDCOM Secretary, Engr Dr. Sule Bassi, added that events of this nature provide invaluable opportunities for engagement, innovation, and progress.
“We at NiDCOM do encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora to key into this initiative with a view to use it to catalyze development on a win-win situation both at host countries and in Nigeria.
“Let us continue to build bridges of opportunity and friendship for the benefit of both present and future generations.
“I would like to commend the Royal Commonwealth Society for sustaining this noble tradition and wish all participants a successful and impactful event”, she stated.
Colourful cultural dance and drama displays as well as presentation of awards to deserving persons were the highlights of the event, which had presence of Commonwealth High Commissioners, senior government officials, and business leaders.
