To most Nigerians who are witnessing this turn of events, the comments made by Arnold resemble a greater anger over the kind of individuals that are usually propelled into the high positions of national sensitivity.
Concurring or not with the severity of his wording, there is a common ground that ambassadorial posts that form the eyes of the world upon the Nigerian landscape should be filled with people whose integrity cannot be questioned and whose actions do not weaken the country but instead, enhance its image.
The messenger is as important as the message in a country that is already fighting against negative stereotypes in the areas of corruption, governance conflict, and domestic division.
This is what explains the scandal of the nomination of Reno Omokri: the thing is that more and more people in the country want to see greater ethical standards in individuals who represent it outside of the country.
The common man is questioning him: what are the values that our diplomats hold? And why risk Nigeria putting its reputation in the world on a man whose record on the public stage is habitually polarizing? It is a valid question, more so now when scrutiny of Nigeria by the world on human rights issues and matters of insecurity is already high.
Citizens desire to know that those people who fly the flag of Nigeria are the people who can champion the interest of the country and not those who have baggage to protect.
The Senate in discharging its oversight role may now avail itself of this opportunity to investigate appointments of ambassadors, not based on political favors or online pressure, but based on credibility, diplomacy, and service to the country. Nigerians desire appointments that make them proud and not controversial.
Enhancing the integrity, emotional intelligence, and commitment of people to the unity of Nigeria is a possible solution that can go a long way in strengthening the foreign service.
Diplomacy, as it is at the end of the day, is not merely about representation but about trust, stability, and sending the right message to the world about the type of country we want to be.
