The emergence of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu as the New High Commissioner of Nigeria in the United Kingdom was welcomed by diplomatic and political audiences as yet another of those political appointments that come out of Nigeria, out of Africa – for the representative of the Nigerian government to come to London, serve his term and move on.
Veteran diplomat Amin Dalhatu cuts the figure of a career diplomat, soft spoken and unassuming with not the slightest indication or hint of what goes through his mind and how he wants to effect change in the mission that has come to be known as the home of Nigerian subjects in the UK.
Having taken office in April and presenting his credentials in a formal ceremony audienced and received by King Charles III in London, the High Commissioner hit the ground running in highly unorthodox fashion.
Before his feet settled under the table, he made consultations and found out what he wanted to know. He then got his emissaries to seek out and invite the person he believed can do the job he wanted done for him and for the nation.
Up steps Dr Tunde Adelakun, Chairman Diaspora Sports Nigeria and Chair of the National Sports Commission established Diaspora Sports Athletes and Talent Development Committee who Ambassador Dalhatu requested an urgent audience with.
At the meeting, Ambassador Dalhatu reiterated just how important sport was to him in pursuit of this legacy he wanted to start with. ‘You are the first Nigerian since I started my assignment here, that I have asked to meet with. Many have come to see me, but in terms of who I have requested for, you’ll be the first’, he said, addressing Dr Tunde.
‘Anywhere we go, there is a very negative perception and a very adverse representation of who we are as a nation. They think we are all criminals. They look down on us. And I’m thinking – enough is enough’ Ambassador Dalhatu said further.
‘And I think we have accepted the stigma and not fought to reclaim our proud identity as Nigerians. This is where you come in – because we want to use Sport as that catalyst that can draw global audiences to the numerous good things that come from Nigeria and Nigerians’.
The High Commissioner said he would like to use the best assets we have as Nigerians, through our prowess in sport, proudly carrying our flag and opening doors of opportunity and visibility to the good that Nigeria can be, through the power of sport.
‘We have the talent, we have the ability and some of these youngsters can serve as role models for upcoming ones for the future. And we have to find a way to use them to rewrite the stories of the perception of Nigeria – from what they think we are, to the highly and naturally gifted race that we really are’.
Responding, Chairman Dr Tunde expressed delight at the honour of being Ambassador Dalhatu’s first invitee to the office, but expressed even more enthusiasm at the prospect of working together with the High Commissioner and the team at the Nigeria High Commission to promote a sport awareness agenda in the UK.
He used the opportunity to inform the High Commissioner of his role within the National Sports Commission through the newly established Committee and said he was excited and proud to walk the journey with the High Commissioner at achieving his dream objective.
Dr Tunde spoke about the upcoming multi sports exhibition event which his Committee was putting together, scheduled for Friday 17 July and called on the High Commissioner to partner with the Committee in delivering a successful event that will open the doors for more of the same in future. The event, holding at the University of Hertfordshire Sports Village is meant to be a gathering of many sports athletes, past and present as well as future prospects, to play sports, mingle and be assured by stories they will hear on the day, of the good that can come from being Nigerian in a sports arena.
The High Commissioner concluded by alluding to the fact that the two gentlemen shared a common goal and intent, and made a promise to further strengthen the objective by putting more measures in place to solidify the plans which Dr Tunde has been instructed to put more flesh on, to make a big start.
‘This is something I want to leave as a legacy. Although I just started here, I would like to see the programmes you give me to grow, to blossom way beyond the time that I’m here. As long as it helps the country and cleans up our image, I will be fulfilled that I did my best’ he concluded.
Talks are continuing.