INTERVIEW WITH NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

Mrs Nonye Okapara Rajis (Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore)

 In the city of Abuja FCT, Mrs Nonye Okpara Rajis an Imo-state born Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore sit with NewDawnBrothers in an interview relaying in-depth information profitable to the globe on the call of duty.

Good evening  your excellency, and thank you for availing NewDawnBrothers the opportunity and time out of your busy schedule to have this interview with you. But before we go into this interview question, may we know you?

My name is Ambassador Nonye Rajis Okpara the Nigerian ambassador to Singapore.

Your Excellency ma, how and when did you decide to enter into the Foreign Service?

I don’t remember making a decision to enter into foreign service but I remember making a decision to serve the nation when I was in the US and that’s why I came to Nigeria to join the Nigerian government in terms of politics and when the offer to serve as the Nigerian ambassador to Singapore came up, I believe that was an opportunity for me to do what is my passion; that is service to my nation. In the year 2011 I was nominated and appointed in June 2012 as the Nigerian ambassador to Singapore.

Why politics?

It’s like a calling. Many Nigerians stayed in the diaspora as at that time due to hardship the country was experiencing, because of the passion to serve my country, it was impossible staying abroad. My major aim was to position Nigeria in the map of international tourism despite how blessed it was in tourism infrastructures. It was in the bid of coming to Nigeria to make some adequate research on it that I came in contact with the then President Olusegun Obasanjo who invited me to Abuja to meet with him. Shortly, God laid a strong will in my heart that “If you want to make a change in Nigeria you must be part of governance and being a democratic society you cannot be in government without been in politics”. So I had to join politics even though I wasn’t a politician.

What do Singaporeans think of Nigerians?

Singaporean’s have very high regard for Nigerians but at the same time they have a very terrible perception of us not being a very serious people. But that perception since the resumption of duty is what I have taken upon myself to change and so far I can tell you they have started seeing us in a different light because a lot of Singaporean business and government has started having more interest in doing business with us, one of the biggest Singaporean NGO called TERMASUK with over $270 billion asset has recently invested in Nigerian energy partnering with a Nigerian company called Seven Energies (an indigenous oil and gas company). Also lots of private Singaporean companies are coming over to do business. There has being a lot of changes both on government level and private level in the last recent years and we thank God for that shift in our relationship and bilateral ties.

NewDawnBrothers with Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore

 How close is Nigeria’s relationship with Singapore?

We have a very close and cordial relationship with the government of Singapore. They are ever willing to partner with us in various areas to strengthen our bilateral engagement, be it in the area of health, education and so on. They are really kin and willing to take Nigeria to the next level, having seen the success of Singapore as nation.

What’s their interest in Nigeria?

They have various interests in Nigeria, actually they have a very big interest in Africa and they believe that Nigeria should be a gate way since they are the giants of Africa. They have interest in the areas where the “Transformation Agenda for Nigerians headed by Goodluck Jonathan” is focused on and those areas are power, transportation, education, agriculture and many others.

What is the best part of being an ambassador?

The best part of being an ambassador is the privilege to serve.

What is the most challenging part of being an ambassador?

The most challenging part of being an ambassador is constantly trying to defend the image of your country portraying Nigeria for what it truly is thereby changing the already hanging portrait of Nigeria on the wall of the world that is based on corruption terrorism and so on, giving them a clearer image of Nigeria the way it ought to be viewed.

What’s your favorite Singaporean dish?

(Laughs) I really don’t have any favorite Singaporean dish because there are varieties and they all are very good.

Where do you see Nigerian politics in the future?

Looking back to where we started from,I believe the Nigerian politics is making a lot of progress though the masses don’t seem to see it that way. But I see as the years goes by, Nigeria will have good songs to sing seeing the achievement of the Transformation Agenda for Nigerians headed by Goodluck Jonathan.

Do you think the youth will ever get a chance to participate in the Nigerian politics?

Absolutely!!! I’m one of the advocates that the youth should participate in politics because the future belongs to them. Nobody should see politics as a dirty game. Currently, if you take a look at the President Goodluck campaign you’d see a lot of youth organization utilizing the platform.

   NewDawnBrothers warmly thank her Excellency for the insightful interview section. We pray that God grants you the strength to carry out every good work.

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