During her ministerial screening before the Senate on Wednesday, ministerial nominee Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the urgent need for an increased commitment to peace and unity in Nigeria.
As the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, she expressed her belief that a sincere collective effort toward national service and peace could unlock Nigeria’s full potential.
“I am here because I believe that if we are able to come together sincerely to commit to serving this nation, focusing on ensuring that we have peace, then the sky is the limit for this country,” she stated.
Ojukwu underscored the significance of diplomatic and cultural engagement as crucial components for national development.
Reflecting on her tenure as ambassador, she shared her commitment to representing Nigeria on international platforms, particularly in enhancing relations between Nigeria and Spain.
Her contributions were recognized with the prestigious title of Africa’s Most Outstanding Ambassador.
In her role as the nominated minister of state for foreign affairs, she highlighted the transformative power of collaboration between cultural, governmental, and diplomatic organizations.
Responding to questions from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ojukwu voiced her concerns regarding the state of Nigerian embassies worldwide.
“As a former ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, I spent an entire year in one hotel room because when I arrived, the mission building was in such an appalling condition,” she revealed.
“With the recruitment and training of officers, we conducted extensive preservation work, not just on the mission building itself, to give Nigeria a name truly deserving of outstanding designation.” Ojukwu added,
“Today, the Nigerian Embassy in Spain is magnificent. The building, as well as the ambassador’s residence, received a significant facelift.”
