The former Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, has facilitated with Amb. Ignatius Olisemeka (CON), as he clocks 93. Agubuzu, who is the Traditional Ruler of Ezema Olo Ancient Kingdom in Enugu State, gave the congratulatory message in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday in Enugu.
The royal father noted that Africa and indeed Nigeria cherishes the God-sent gift of Olisemeka to the entire mankind and his positive impact on millions of lives. According to him, for anyone on this planet, 93rd birthday anniversary calls for celebrations and gratitude to God.
Agubuzu, who was also a former Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, said that in the case of, Amb. Olisemeka, who clocked 93, there are reasons why the celebrations should be special.
He said, “Firstly, he is healthy in mind and body. Secondly, by longevity, he is the visible Ancestor, otherwise known as ‘Diokpa’ of Ibuza Town, Delta State.
“Lastly, His Excellency Ambassador Olisemeka belongs to that rare class of blessed persons who, at their old age, are privileged to sit back and reminisce on their endeavours, challenges and the proverbial great heights they attained.
“I imagine Ambassador Olisemeka today sitting in front of his house on the plains of the River Niger basin relishing his work relationship with all the rulers of our country.
“This is from the time of the last British Governor-General of Nigeria and the late Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, all through to the end of the military regime under Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (GCFR) in 1999.”
It would be recalled that Olisemeka was Nigeria’s Ambassador to such key diplomatic missions as Washington DC, the Vatican’s Holy See and Tel Aviv in the State of Israel among others. At home, he served as a Director of Studies at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) during the formative years of the institution.
In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he served in an unsurpassed manner as Director-General, Permanent Secretary and finally as Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs. Olisemeka’s unblemished performance in these positions attests to his standing as the most accomplished career Foreign Service officer of Nigeria in the 20th century.
