— Says Dambazau’s appointment will boost Nigeria ties with China

By Dayo Johnson Akure

Former Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, has said the appointment of Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of China will strengthen bilateral relations and expand business and industrial opportunities between both countries.

Dambazau, who served as Chief of Army Staff while Kayode was Minister of Defence, was recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a congratulatory message on Thursday, Kayode described Dambazau as an accomplished military officer with an outstanding track record.

“I congratulate our Ambassador to China, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau. His appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is a right step in the right direction,” he said.

“He has been a consistent and dynamic contributor to national development. With his wealth of experience, he will surely make a great impact in terms of deepening our economic and diplomatic relationship with China. Enlarging business and industrial opportunities between Nigeria and China is priority.”

Kayode noted that stronger economic ties between both nations would open a new vista of opportunities, leveraging the new ambassador’s experience.

The former minister also congratulated Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, on his election as Chairman of the United Nations Budget and Administration Committee.

He described the election as an “extraordinary achievement” coming weeks after Ibrahim assumed office as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Kayode said the appointment is a huge feat for Nigeria and a significant boost to Africa’s voice in the international community, adding that it validates the confidence reposed in him by President Tinubu.

He further described the appointment of Comrade Sola Iji as Nigeria’s ambassador to Russia as “a round peg in a round hole,” noting that Iji, a friend and classmate, has contributed to national development in different spheres.

Kayode said Iji would facilitate development to Ondo State and Nigeria.

According to him, both Ibrahim and Iji would make unprecedented impacts in their new national assignments.