Less than 100 days at Northumberland Avenue, London, Nigeria’s UK Mission Staff laud Amb Sarafa Isola as brilliant reformer

An unprecedented show of support was on display for the new Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, to mark his over 90 days in office at the Mission House, Northumberland Avenue, London.

A letter to express a unanimous vote of confidence in the stewardship of the High Commissioner, who resumed office in less than 100 days, was sent by Service Support Staff for his exemplary leadership.

The letter dated Friday 6 August 2021 and signed by Amir Bagwanje, Chairman of the Service Support Staff and Deborah Macaulay, the Secretary, on behalf of the entire Service Support Staff, applauded the Ambassador on the introduction of the reforms that transformed service delivery in Nigeria High Commission London.

The letter, presented with a thank you card to the Ambassador, read: “It is a great pleasure to put on record that within the short period of time you took the helm of affairs of the Mission, you initiated reforms that transformed service delivery to an unprecedented level. The Nigerian community in the United Kingdom posts positive feedbacks across social media for the first time in many years, thanks to the customer-tailored reforms adopted by His Excellency to revamp the image of the Mission. Unlike in the past, you have carried everyone along regardless of their cadre, ethnicity or religious beliefs which, fosters the newfound unity among members of staff who work assiduously towards achieving the primary goal you set out to achieve from day one – revamping the image of Nigeria through excellent service delivery.

“Your Excellency, we are very appreciative that within the first month of your assumption of duty, you fulfilled the promise you made to us that our salary arrears would be paid immediately, and you did just that. Likewise, for the first time in many years, you made the Service Support Staff feel that they are part of the Mission by treating us with upmost dignity and respect. The ongoing renovation of the Chancery makes us feel proud to step in the building every morning and call it our home. You have instilled discipline, love and a sense of patriotism among staff since your resumption in May, 2021.

“At this juncture, we must commend Mr. President for seeing the unifying credentials in you by appointing you as his representative in London at a time when Nigeria grapples with image crisis. Indeed, we are tremendously proud of you.

“Whilst confident that your exceptional leadership style and zeal would make you excel in your mandate as the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the Court of St. James’s, please be assured of our full support in uplifting the Mission to greater heights.

“Once again, it is a pleasure to express our deep appreciation to you, as we pray that the Almighty protects you and your family and grants you the strength and wisdom to continue steering the Mission in the right direction.

“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest regards.”

Ambassador Isola, in an interview anchored by African Voice medium, said: “This is just a tip of the iceberg. Nigeria is already forging stronger relationships around the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.”

In a bid to ensure that the interests of Nigeria are appropriately protected and the country remains a top economic priority, the Nigeria High Commissioner had reached out to a record number of key British Government officials within his near 100 days in office.

These include an official visit by the Ambassador to the Minister for Africa, Hon. James Dudbridge, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, London, the two officials had constructive discussions on major pending bilateral agreements.

Also, the role of the Commonwealth Secretariat in providing technical help to Commonwealth countries including Nigeria featured prominently in the discussions Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola had with Baroness Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth during his official visit to the Commonwealth Secretariat, Malborough House, Pall Mall, St. James’s, London.