During her Senate screening on Wednesday, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a nominee for ministerial appointment, shared a surprising story from her time as Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain. Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that due to the poor condition of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid, she was forced to live in a hotel for an entire year.
In her address to the Senate, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described how she arrived in Spain to find the embassy in serious disrepair. The building, located in Madrid’s upscale Galagao district, was visibly neglected, standing out unfavorably in the otherwise elegant area. She recounted how the state of the embassy did not reflect the dignity or stature Nigeria wished to convey on the international stage, which led her to spearhead a major renovation.
“When I arrived in Spain, the mission building was so appallingly maintained that it did not represent Nigeria’s dignity or stature,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained. “What you see today is the product of that hard work.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also highlighted the ongoing challenge of limited funding for Nigerian embassies worldwide, pointing out that many missions struggle to cover even basic maintenance and upkeep. She called on the current administration to prioritize funding for embassies to ensure they can adequately represent Nigeria, especially when hosting international delegations and official visits.
Her testimony resonated with the Senate, which acknowledged her dedication to improving Nigeria’s diplomatic facilities. After sharing her experiences and achievements, the Senate invited Odumegwu-Ojukwu to take a bow, recognizing her commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s image abroad.
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