The concept ‘Embassy’ is the diplomatic representation of a country’s government in another country. It’s expected functions include the transmitting of messages of its home government to the government of the host country; informing its home government bout the important political, socio- economic, military and other events happening in the country as well as preparing international treaties cum official state visits and promoting its own home culture, economy and science in the host country.
Then what is a consulate? A consulate is the representation of the public administration of a country in a foreign land.
The consulate is responsible for her own fellow-citizens, living or travelling in the host country, establishing and renewing passports, official documents, report Births, Deaths, Marriages, Divorces among others.
But the writer will only limit himself to the concept of embassy and the need to have Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine. Modern technology and financial consequences (cost) have prompted some schools of thoughts to submit that it was immaterial irrelevant to have Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine.
Those in this line of argument are mulling the closure of some of the country’s embassies abroad including Nigerian Embassy in Kyiev-Ukraine without considering the huge benefit of having the country’s embassy in the place.
They argued that one of the impacts of the global recession is that it has compelled a number of countries to scale back their diplomatic representation abroad by closing some of their embassies, most especially as the country is still battling with the hangover of recession, they further submitted that being faced with the economic cum financial realities during economic downturns, countries often have little choice but to cut back on the spending that is required involved in operating and maintaining embassies overseas.
Indeed, for developing country like Nigeria facing issues such as poverty, serious income inequality, battered economy and poor quality of life for average citizens, it might be quite difficult to justify the allocation of limited government funds to maintain an embassy but not without benefit.
Not surprisingly, there have been discussions debates as to whether embassies and resident diplomats are still needed/relevant in this 21st century world. Globalization and rapid advances in information and telecommunications technology have helped to connect billions of people together.
The conduct of diplomacy the antagonists opined cannot be immune to the above, adding it is more responsive and effective in modern environment little wonder, former British Diplomat Carne Ross strongly emphasized this above submission by submitting that “Conventional embassies are ill suited for today’s challenges.”
Still, others would go further, and argued that embassies no longer have a role in the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy. Proponents of this view would cite the benefits of modern telecommunications and information systems and networks, pointing out that instead of spending millions to keep Ambassadors, security teams and other staff resident in a foreign country, Presidents and Prime Ministers can now conveniently communicate directly on matters of urgency and importance.
Yet, there is an equally strong case to be made in support of maintaining Nigerian’s diplomatic presence in Ukraine. This point rest strongly on the premise that the outlays are necessary and will produce a return over the long term.
Take Zambia, which in 2009 spent around US $20 million on its foreign Missions. That’s a significant amount, but with an economy with around US$20 billion that year, it only represents O.I Percent of the country’s GDP.
SO, developing counties usually require foreign direct investments and increased market access for their goods and services to help grow their economy and embassies play key roles in bringing these into the country.
Viewed from the above, devoting that percentage of GDP to improving the chances of securing much-needed investments, broader market access abroad and developmental aid seems to constitute a worthwhile outlay.
But diplomacy and managing relations between countries is not a business. Although, economic and commercial interests invariably plays crucial factors, but diplomacy is about more than just dollars and cents.
Specifically, establishing or maintaining an embassy in Ukraine is a clear indications to Nigerian government’s commitment to deepening her bilateral relations with Ukrainian Nigeria play key role in the development of African Continent and Ukrainian government on the other hand pays special attention and Ukrainian government on the other hands pays special attention to developing its tiers with African countries particularly ECOWAS Countries. The two countries no doubt have enjoyed fruitful cooperation within the frame work of International organisation.
Ukraine considers Nigeria an important partner especially in the area of trade and investment according to Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Valerii Ateksandruck, maintaining that the readiness of his country to continue political dialogue and to getting deeper cooperation in different fields was buttressed recently during the meeting of the members of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavio Klimkin and Nigeria Geoffrey Onyeama in the course of third session of the bilateral political consultations in Geneva and Abuja respectively.
The two counties relations has developed quite well in recent years most especially in the economic field that the closure of Nigeria embassy in Ukraine will adversely affect the country’s economy owing to the fact that Nigeria is one of the most important partners of Ukraine in sub-Sahara Africa. According to Ukrainian statistics, the commercial trade turnover between the two countries has witnessed a significant growth of over 119 per cent, worth about $ 61 million.
There are lots of areas both counties can deepen their relations and develop further such as in the areas of Agriculture, mining, renewable energy and infrastructure, where Ukraine companies have great expertise as the avalanche of Ukrainian companies in Nigeria is a testimony.
The great mutual interest to economic cooperation was proved recently also by the first Ukrainian- Nigerians business forum held in Kyiev.
Little wonder, some Nigerian companies have signified their intention to open their representatives in Ukraine the two counties as reported are planning to establish an intergovernmental joint commission and it is expected to cover the wide range of political, economic and security areas. So, having Nigeria Embassy in Ukraine will further brighten the country’s relations with Ukraine in future.
Also, both counties have enjoyed good military cooperation for years and this is improving by the day. Ukraine is supporting the country in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency through the supply of military equipment, ammunition, helicopter stands and other military equipment to fight the insurgency. Indeed, the two counties are in the process of signing further agreement on military cooperation as there are several Nigerian delegations in Ukraine to sign some agreements cum contracts. So, it will be development and progress all round when Nigeria continue to maintain ties with Ukraine by having her embassy there. And development is one of the most promising areas of cooperation between the two governments. This point was buttressed recently by Vice President (Prof.) Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) when he said that Nigeria will soon expand its diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Hear him very soon, we will be signing outstanding bilateral agreement with Ukrainian Government,” and expressed Nigeria’s gratitude for the scholarship the Ukrainian Government is awarding Nigerian students studying there.
Thousands of Nigerian students are graduating from Ukrainian Universities and are becoming prominent specialists in their branches of knowledge- Medicine, ICT Technology, Oil and Gas industries.
The professionalism of the medical specialists who acquired education in Ukraine is recognized all over the world so, informed by this, Nigerian government and policy maker should be mindful of the negative consequence the closure of Nigeria embassy in Ukraine will have on the country’s growing economy. The closure of her embassy in Kyiev will damage the mechanism of bilateral trade currently existing between Nigerian Government and her Ukrainian counterpart.
But way of conclusion therefore, for those authorities mulling the closure of Nigerian Mission/Embassy in Ukraine, a rethink has come for them as the level of Ukriaina. Nigerian relations in the political, trade, economic, education, military, technical and other spheres is rather high and has a great potentials, which need to be realized through diplomacy and the potential of bilateral relations in different area is far from being exhausted, hence the need to have Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine.
