Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama called on President Hage Geingob yesterday at State House, canvassing Namibia’s support for the west African nation’s African Union (AU) commissioner candidature. Nigeria has fielded diplomat Bankole Adeoye to vie for the AU position of commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.
The AU commissioner positions are expected to be filled during the 34th assembly of heads of state and government of the AU scheduled between 6-7 February this year.
The current AU commissioner for political affairs is Minata Samate Cessouma from Burkina Faso who was elected in January 2017. “It is about the upcoming AU elections.
We believe as a continent, we have the African Continental Free Trade Area, the integration process of AU that we do work together but have a team managing the secretariat of AU that will be able to achieve all goals and objectives of the organisation,” said Onyeama.
“So, we have a candidate for one of the positions coming up in the coming weeks. Our president wanted us to reach out to what he considers to be a number of key countries and allies of Nigeria and Namibia is one of them. He asked me to come here and deliver this message hoping we can get the support of our candidate to succeed for this position of commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security.”
He said the continent is still faced with a lot of conflicts that need urgent disarmament to end conflicts and focus on the Africa development agenda of 2063. Asked why Nigeria chose Namibia for support, he stressed that the country has one of the respected and influential leaders on the African continent and whose views are listened to by other nations.
Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said Geingob received the Nigeria delegation very warmly and appreciated that they came to seek support from Namibia due to long historical ties. “The President took note of the request. It will be processed. The President will communicate at the appropriate channels. The fact that Namibia was chosen by such a big country like Nigeria as the first port of call to canvass for that very important position was widely appreciated by President Geingob.
President Geingob also recalled the important role Nigeria played in the independence of Namibia,” Hengari told journalists.
During his diplomatic career, Adeoye has held a number of strategic positions in Nigeria’s foreign ministry and its diplomatic missions abroad.
From 2007 to 2015, Adeoye served in various capacities at New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) agency in South Africa, including as its director of corporate services.
In June 2015, Adeoye was appointed as the director in charge of the second United Nations division in the International Organisations Department of the ministry.
Adeoye worked to inspire change for a united, integrated, and prosperous Africa achievable through inclusive growth and sustainable development and driven by the implementation of AU Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. -anakale@nepc.com.na