Institute of Development Studies

IDS alumni is New Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia

Nkoyo Toyo (MAGov01) has been appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia.

Here is a summary from a report by the Nigerian newspaper The Guardian

THERE are plans to take the re-branding campaign of the Federal Government to the African Union (AU) in a renewed effort at re-positioning the country to take its prime place on the continent.

The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili disclosed this information in Abuja at the weekend, at a reception organised in honour of the Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Ethiopia, Mrs. Nkoyo Toyo.

Akunyili, itemised various contributions made by Nigeria in the emancipation of some African countries. She said there had not been reciprocal gesture from the rest of the Africa to appreciate these contributions.

Professor Akunyili said it was no longer acceptable to Nigeria hence the new resolve for the country to tell its own story to the rest of the world.

As a starting point, she urged the ambassador-designate to use her multiple roles as the envoy to Ethiopia, Djibouti as well as the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa to tell Nigeria's story the way it is.
She said: 'I want to urge you (Toyo) to use your roles as the Ambassador to Ethiopia and AU to tell our story to the rest of the African continent. We have reaped commensurate gains from our contributions to the emancipation of other African countries. Our contributions in quelling the troubles in Sierra Leone which brought back democracy to the country is not acknowledged.'

While there is more involvement of women in Nigerian politics, Toyo observed such involvement could change the temperament and colour of politics in Nigeria. 

Toyo said: 'the terrain of politics in Nigeria is still very slippery and difficult, irrespective of what the government does. Nigerian women have risen to the occasion because more and more of us are getting into the political fray. Overall, I think as more women come into politics, the culture will change in one way or the other.'