Island Club moves to foster business ideals among members

The diplomatic night organized by the Island Club is meant to foster business networking among members and strengthen relationships with diplomatic community.

Speaking at the occasion, the Club Chairman, Olabanji Oladapo, called on members to take advantage of the occasion of the diplomatic night 2018 to further improve on their business networking as they break new grounds. The club said the objective of the club is to facilitate business opportunities for its members that are mostly businessmen through the commercial sections of the embassies and high commissions.

Established in the 50s, the diplomatic night is further aimed at enhancing its interaction with distinguished members, in view of the importance of the healthy relationships between the club and members of the diplomatic community.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who spoke on the theme: ‘The Nigerian foreign policy in a changing world: What role for the Nigerian media’, described the role of the Nigerian media in the promotion of Nigeria’s foreign policy to the international community as one that cannot be over-emphasized.

He stated that the constant flow of information and the role of the media in propagating a country’s foreign policy and national interest, if not properly managed, could compromise the nation’s security interest.

Represented by the ministry’s Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Gladys Modupeola Quist-Adebiyi, Onyeama said: “The Nigerian media owe the country and her teeming population the duty of reporting objective and accurate information on the activities of government especially as they can it relate to the tripod policy thrust of this present administration and be seen as an ally in promoting Nigeria’s national interest internationally.”

As part of efforts aimed at repositioning the ministry and its diplomatic missions abroad, in accordance Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), on the need to deepen Nigeria’s economic engagement with the rest of the world as well as diversification of her economy, the Minister informed the gathering the training organized by the ministry under the framework of the Nigerian Economic Diplomatic Initiative (NEDI), aimed at impacting Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) and providing them with modern economic diplomacy tools including the art of negotiation and attracting foreign direct investments into the country.

He stressed the need for all to take up the challenge of nation building and promote Nigeria’s huge economic potential, with a view to enhancing her image globally and promoting development, peace and security nationally.

In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, a former Foreign Affairs Minister, General Ike Nwachukwu tasked the media to give good reportage about the country and let the world know that majority of Nigerians are good people irrespective of bad eggs.

According to him: “Media should let the world know who we truly are. It is the way we paint ourselves in the media that the world will take us. Nigeria is not the most corrupt in the world. As we deal with corruption in Nigeria, foreigners should not think everyone is corrupt. There are as many as bad people in Nigeria but we are the ones to tell the world who we are, that we all are not bad.”

At the event were members of the Diplomatic Corps from various countries including the Consul-General of the Federal Republic of German, Ingo Herbert, Deputy High Commissioner of Cameroon, David Sinou who presented the goodwill message of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, among others.

Founded on October 29, 1943, the Island club has set itself as a socially constructive and political desirable goal that was not limited to serving just the recreational needs of the elites, but engendered through informal contact, in convivial environment of equality and mutual respect for each other.