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| BETTER DAYS AWAIT NIGERIANS IN THE NETHERLANDS |
7/11/2008 |
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The new Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands- Her Excellency, Dr. Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi officially assumed her office on June 18th 2008. The occasion involved the diplomatic tradition of submission of the letters of Credence to Her Royal Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Royal kingdom of the Netherlands. The colourful ceremony was held at the Queen’s Palace, { Noordeinde}-The Hague. The ceremony began at exactly 08:50 am when the Chamberlain to Her Royal Majesty came to the residence of Her Excellency to inform her of the readiness of Her Majesty to receive her (Dutch Royal protocol). At 08.55, the Royal horse carriage entourage (the chariots) arrives at Her Excellency’s residence for a traditional procession to the Palace. Shortly after, the Chamberlain ushered Her Excellency to the waiting Royal horse carriage at 09.00. The procession arrives at the palace at 09:25 am, followed by the rendition of the National anthem of Nigeria at 09: 27. Thereafter, she inspected a military guard of honour mounted by the Dutch Royal Air-force at 09:30. After the inspection, Her Excellency was ushered into Royal Chambers where she was received by Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix. The presswas barred from the meeting which lasted for thirty minutes. It is however, expected that Her Excellency must have used the opportunity to tender among other key issues, the seven-point agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria. At exactly 10:00, Her Excellency emerged from the Royal Chambers, flanked by her key staff. The waiting Royal horse carriage in the company of the Chamberlain to Her Majesty, escorted Her Excellency back to her residence (Nigeria House); signifying a typical age long Dutch tradition Her Excellency arrived to the warm embrace and jubilations
from staff, members of her family, fellow compatriots from Nigeria, other Africans, leaders of various Nigerian Organizations, religious leaders and Entrepreneurs who have thronged to the residence to receive her. After a brief traditional ceremony, the Chamberlain to Her Majesty departed with his entourage. Various groups and individual filled in their turn to congratulate Her Excellency. The next segment of the days program was a reception at Her Excellency’s residence. The reception which took place at the Ambassador’s garden witnessed various dignitaries, groups and cream of Africans and Nigerians in attendance. In attendance was, the Ghanaian Ambassador to The Netherlands, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Grace Amponsah- Ababio, Kenyan Ambassador to The Netherlands, Ambassador Prof Ruthie Chepkoech Rono, Rwandan Ambassador, His ExcellencyAmbassador Dr. Jacques Bihozagara, Algerian Ambassador, His Excellency Ambassador Benchaa Dani. Visible at the reception was the Royal Kingdom of The Netherlands’ Ambassador to Nigeria and his wife. They were all on hand to extend their felicitations and cooperation and also to wish her a successful Mission tenure. Her Excellency, in a traditional African style made out time to reach out to virtually everyone in attendance. It was time for the new Ambassador to address her guests. She started her address by conveying the goodwill messages from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to all and sundry. Her Excellency, (beaming with smile) said that this day marked the dawn of a new era in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands relationship. She pledged to do her utmost during her stay to broaden and strengthen the bilateral relations especially in the areas of Trade and Investment. She promised to operate an open door policy and engage in sustainable negotiations at the inter-governmental sphere with a view to attracting investors to many sectors of the Nigerian economy-Education, Health, Power and Energy, Transportation, etc. Her Excellency informed all Nigerians in The Netherlands that they are ambassadors of Nigeria in their various capacities and urged them to strive always to portray the good image of the country. She advised them to be law abiding while executing their legitimate businesses in the country. Leaders of various
Nigeria organizations in The Netherlands pledged their support to the new team while enumerating difficulties their members encounter in the country. Her Excellency assured all Nigerians residing
in The Netherlands of full assistance and cooperation by the embassy in the days ahead. She was full of praise for the members of the Diplomatic Corps and members of the host government for the honour in shelving their programs to be part of the occasion. Her Excellency in her pledge to support the Corps noted thus “I assure you that I would be available at all times to participate effectively as a member of this worthy Corps”. Finally she thanked her colleagues in the Embassy for their cooperation and support since her arrival and said it was evidence of a healthy and cordial working relationship she’s going to enjoy. Our Managing Editor, Mr. Henry D Oduenyi who covered the event brings you Colourful photos of the colourful ceremony. Check the photo gallary of our website in the coming days for complete photos of the event
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