Foreign envoys have been warned against violating diplomatic channels of communication between them and their host country.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olusola Enikanolaye, issued the warning at his maiden meeting with the diplomats in Abuja yesterday.
Enikanolaye insisted that ambassadors in the country must desist from orthodox means of communication and follow the right channel in their interaction with the government.
He strongly opposed what he described as undiplomatic way of seeking audience where some embassies communicate directly with the presidency and other arms of government rather than going through the ministry.
Enikaonlaye vowed to take a very diplomatic review of any nation that thinks the best way to conduct business with Nigeria is not to go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to him: โI need not to stress that this is not what we know as diplomatic. It is clearly violation of relevant conventions.
โThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the main means between the diplomatic communities and the host government.โ
The permanent secretary also noted that the ministry will do everything to tidy up its end to ensure โwe respond quickly, proactively to your requests to your note verbal.โ
He stressed that the Ministry and government were committed to their well being and welfare, stressing the ministry operates an open door policy for issues of concern to address.
Enikaonlaye however vowed to take a very diplomatic review of a nation that think the best way to conduct business with Nigeria is not to go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He added: โI think you all know note verbal is the highest form of correspondence between the diplomatic nations and minister of foreign affairs.
โYou cannot address note verbal to the presidency. It is not done. Please I am appealing to you desist from such an orthodox means of communication with our government.
โAs regard to seeking for audiences please make you request known to our principal at least a month ahead to give room for preparation and respect for authority.
โIt is in our interest and yours that we have sufficient notice.โ
