Ignatius Olisemeka at 94: Epitome of Diplomatic Finesse -By Pius Mordi

They do not often come so prepared with knowledge and experience that span epochal eras. Ambassador Ignatius Chukwuemeka Olisemeka started his public service career in 1958 in the colonial era in the office of Sir James Robertson, Nigeria’s last colonial governor. At the onset of Independence in 1960, he was one of the distinguished corp of foreign service personnel that were honed in the colonial office. And did he imbibe the virtues of discipline and hard work? Having worked with the team that shaped the country’s foreign affairs office at the time of independence, Ambassador Olisemeka wore patriotism, discipline and diligence on his sleeve. He was the go-to man for the successive military regimes in whom they found guidance and forthrightness.

“All I knew, and had always known, was to work hard and express my views as candidly and as courageously as I could, regardless of the consequences”, Diokpa Olisemeka said of what drove him during his distinguished career. He is man of strong convictions who espoused his belief that public service, especially in diplomacy, should be undertaken on moral high ground.

It was an attribute the various administrations relied on to make inroads in major western capitals. When Abdusalami Abubakar unveiled his transition programme that led to the birth of the fourth republic, Diokpa Olisemeka was one of the credible personalities that sold the programme to western capitals and was an active participant in the transition process ending his public service career as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1999, at the point of transition to the current democratic dispensation. Holding aloft the tenets of international diplomacy, Diokpa traversed some of the key diplomatic missions. His tour of duty took him to the Vatican City, Israel and the United States.

Wherever he went, he imposed his message prudence and transparency in the management of resources. The story is often told of while in the U.S., he directed the diplomatic staff to withdraw their children from private to public schools. Public schools in Washington metropolitan area are well-equipped but diplomats chose private schools as a form of elitism and status symbol, after all they did not have to foot the bill individually. He also held high-ranking roles in Kenya, Lesotho, Botswana, Madagascar, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Diokpa Olisemeka served as a diplomat for approximately 42 years, representing Nigeria in nine different countries and establishing key foreign missions. He served as Chief of Protocol to Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and is celebrated as a “national asset” and a “patriot” for his lifelong commitment to Nigerian diplomacy. He remains a vocal commentator on Nigerian politics, famously advocating for disciplined leadership and expressing a deep, albeit frustrated, love for Nigeria.

He holds the traditional title of Dikediora of Ibusa, his hometown in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

He was born in Kaduna to Obi Nduka Olisemeka of Ibusa, Delta State and attended Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos. In 1957, he graduated from University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) after which he joined the foreign service of the office of the then Governor General of Nigeria.

Often referred to as an “epitome of diplomatic finesse,” he was among the first group of officers recruited into the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1958.

On Saturday, the cream of society will join his family to celebrate this quintessential diplomat. Mr. Jude Eluemunor, a son-in-law, cannot be get the words to extol a man he calls a father in all ramifications. “Daddy is a kind man. Very kind. He does not tolerate indolence and will support and mentor anyone who shows inclinations towards hard work. I am privileged to have him as a father and I pray God keeps him healthy for many more years.”

Postscript
Our DISCO jokers
I was tempted to call the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) that took over the distribution of electricity jockeys. But that would have been too patronising. A jockey, whether a horse racer or the good old disc jockey, possesses special skills. When in November 2013, private companies were handed the task of disturbing electricity, they came with no technical skill, no financial muscle to invest in improving the quality of electricity supply. The terms of the contract were so heavily skewed in their favour that they initially collected N700 monthly as service charge from consumers before actual consumption is determined. It took the concerted pressure from Nigerians for the unprecedented service charge to be scrapped.
They have not made any investment to improve power supply. And when there is prolonged poor supply as has been case in the past one month, they have a ready alibi: Its the poor supply from the national grid or transmission company. Now that there is further liberalisation of the electricity services, the question is why should the DISCOs remain with their contract. They do not add any value, but thrive on overcharging consumers.

The bands introduced by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adekola Adelabu, has made their operation more exploitative. They prefer the use of estimated billing and frustrated every effort to enable consumers access pre-paid metres. It gives them room to collect outrageous charges for services not rendered. They are a bunch of exploitative jokers.

The worst of the lot is Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) where Delta State is unfortunately yoked. There is alternative to BEDC contrary to the spirit of liberalisation. Rather, they are killing businesses and making life and living a nightmare in the state.

Given President Bola Tinubu’s vow to make make electricity available for Nigerians failing which he should not be returned to office, what comes next? But there is ample time for things to turned around. Let’s begin with scrapping the DISCO jokers.