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Nigeria London Northumberland ‘Embassy’ Surging Into A New World
By Dr. Samuel Aruleba (PhD): Email:
samarus@rocketmail.com
Ambassador Tafida:Nigeria's High Commissioner
Hail ye Dr. Dalhatu Tafida ‘The High Commissioner of Nigeria to
the United Kingdom’; hail ye Alhaji Ahmed Umar ‘Minister/Head of
Chancery’ seemed the best appropriate way of expressing one’s
approval of a turnaround manpower development at the London
(High Commission). From time immemorial until lately, the
embassy was notorious for sticking with indolent, naive and very
unskilled workers that brought frustration to its clients than
the desired succour and terms of employment. Long distant
complaints from various quarters and different levels of clients
directed at provoking constructive and meaningful actions from
our past Commissioners at the embassy either received
half-hearted attention or were ignored totally with who cares
attitude. Today, Nigerians in London sing a new song that aligns
with the national anthem of arise oh compatriots...
The long and unending early morning queues for issuance
of passports and visa applications have been eradicated and more
purposeful next to instant attention is now the norm.
Talking of the building itself, it has taken a new lease
of life. The inside
looks gallant with comfortable seats well arranged in rows that
provide through access to clients and other visitors. The floors
are modernised with marbles glittering like mirrors and which
are constantly attended to by professional cleaners. There is
the state of the art library equipped with historical books and
journals to assist in research into our existence as a nation.
With modern computers installed in the library, the embassy is
one step ahead of the rest around the globe. And that is the
touch of a good leader.
Leadership is about engaging people and marshalling their energy
behind the organization's values, vision and direction. This
requires authentic leaders who are clear about their vision,
what they stand for and what they want to create that would
reform human existence.
Whether an organisation needs a “good to great” change, or a
“turnaround” change, the biggest barriers to it being
successfully implemented is in the minds of the people involved.
Getting people to change the way they behave and perform is the
key that unlocks the door to positively transforming performance
and the results. Successful change management in organisations
starts with an effective strategy, supported by the right skills
and brought to life by the right spirit. We call it the 3 S’s -
Strategy, Skills and Spirit. The most important of the 3 S’s is
the Spirit. Winning people’s hearts and minds, giving them the
belief and confidence in the changes – and in their ability to
execute them brilliantly is a template for good leadership; and
this is where the prowess of our honourable Ambassador Tafida
comes in. Not only does the eminent ambassador show people
what to do but
also how to do
it and why it
works, therefore providing a self-perpetuating, self-generating
and self-renewing momentum.
To exemplify his aura for good leadership, Dr Tafida backed by
his right-hand man (Alhaji Umar) was in his natural self
recently at the Nigeria House, Northumberland, gracing the 51
independence anniversary of our country. It was a gala evening
designed solely for the treat of the foreign Diplomats of this
world invited to celebrate with the High commissioner of Nigeria
and his wife. Outside this band were the very few privileged VIP
individuals chosen from the people’s palace to feast side by
side with the men and women of the high table on that occasion
and to which this writer and his wife belonged. Two things of
note took place on the entrance into the main hall of the house.
First was the unprecedented orderliness, discipline and the
professionalism of the Nigerian crews positioned to check in the
invited guests. Second was the ‘Baba’ himself Dr Tafida who led
a queue of other five members of the senior staff of the
Commission that equally positioned themselves at the entrance
for 30minutes welcoming in all guests passing through them with
warm handshakes. It was a memorable experience. What happened at
Abuja House on 1st October the anniversary D day and
the second day of celebration in London was as astounding and
worthy of mentioning.
The gate crews were so meticulous about who were allowed
into the yard or not. It was one invitation card to one guest.
Even no husband and wife were allowed to enter with one card.
Their answer to anyone wondering why a couple could not be
allowed in on a single card was “we are only following the
instructions passed to us”. All things may not be perfect but
according to the High commissioner himself, there are still
rooms for improvements. Well done sir, you have a friend.
Editor’s Note:We will like to have you
reactions to this story because earlier on there had been
complaints that the High Commission in London was not performing
effectively.There were cries of delays in
visa renewal process and
even claims that the High
Commission had literally ground to
virtual halt as Tafida who was leading President Goodluck
Jonathan’s election campaign
was then in Nigeria.If you agree or disagree with the
picture painted above send in your stories.
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