In this edition, Ms. Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, who is the Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, in an interview with Vera Samuel Anyagafu, among other issues, explains her passion towards her primary assignment. 

Ms. Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury

WHAT is  ‘CodeBus Africa’ all about?

The ´CodeBus Africa´ project celebrates the 100 years of Finland’s independence. Finland became an independent nation in 1917, so this year is our 100th anniversary, which of course is a very big milestone for us. To celebrate, we wanted to do something different and truly relevant. I mean something that would highlight those things that are dear to us and that are also important issues in Nigeria. Things like gender equality and youth empowerment. Together with other Finnish Embassies in sub-Saharan Africa, we came up with CodeBus Africa.

In Nigeria, the Finnish Embassy, together with the Aalto University of Finland, organized the CodeBus Africa project in partnership with the Abuja-based Ventures Platform innovation hub. Nigeria was the second stop of the CodeBus journey. Altogether, workshops will take place in ten African countries. The 100-day tour will end in South Africa this month. The Finnish telecommunication company NOKIA is the main sponsor of the project. For those youngsters, especially, who might not previously have seen ICT as their thing the project gives a great opportunity to get involved in technology, and to get a taste of coding and the possibilities it offers.

One of the key objectives of this project is to encourage girls to get interested in coding and ICT. All over the world, the case still seems to be that girls are not as likely as boys to get involved in technology so they need extra encouragement. Since ICT and digital solutions are so much part of our everyday lives, it is crucially important for girls and women also to get actively involved. In our workshops more than half the students were girls.

On power of education

I think we would all like to live in countries where the well-being of citizens is ensured, and where the economy booms. How to do that is the hard question. All countries are different, with different potentials and challenges, and it is for each one of them to find the right path that will benefit their people in the best possible way. While the vision might be clear, it is more challenging to find concrete and effective solutions. This applies in all countries around the world.

In Finland, we have always believed in the power of education. Our society and economy have come a long way in the past hundred years. That has been largely based on an educated population, and on a very widely shared vision of the importance of equal of opportunities in education, as well as in other spheres of life. It does not matter where you are in Finland or who you are, everybody has access to good quality education, and a qualification from any school receives the same appreciation. In my country, education for a long time has been an important means of social mobility.

As a small country, we are very much aware of being part of the international community. We have built much of our economic wealth on export, and very much rely on the skills and knowledge of our people. With our vast forest reserves, we have become important producers of forest technology. ICT continues to be one of our definite strengths, and power is another area where for a long time now we have offered world class technology. Nigeria remains a major economy in Africa, with immense potential, and also with important natural resources. I salute the government for its efforts to diversify the economy and improve the business environment in the country, despite the existing challenges.

On Finland-Nigeria diplomatic relationship

Finland and Nigeria have very good bilateral relations. In fact, the first Finnish Embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa was established in Lagos in 1963. At the same time, I am very clear that the relations between our two countries could and should be more intensive. My main focus is on promoting win-win opportunities in business relations. I only wish I had more hours in a day and more days in a week, to do all the things I would like to, to further enhance the relations between my country and Nigeria.

Have you experienced tough times dealing with Nigerians?

I want to start by saying that I was extremely keen to come to Nigeria in the first place, to represent my country. I have not been disappointed. I have been absolutely fascinated by my experience here.

Promoting win-win opportunities

I consider myself very lucky to have been able to witness the historic elections, and the subsequent tenure of the present government, which, even with the many challenges, is very clear about its priorities. My cooperation with the Nigerian government has been great. I truly appreciate the way they have afforded Finland and myself their precious time and attention.

How would you describe the success and or failure of projects you have done so far with Nigeria?

CodeBus Africa is the latest example of a very successful project we have done in Nigeria. Also very recently, I spent three wonderful days in Lagos, attending several important activities. The credit for the success of that visit, I must say, goes to the Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation of Lagos State, Mrs. Lola Akande, and the distinguished participants at the different events, including the Deputy Governor, and the wife of Lagos Sate Governor.

Last year, the Embassy organized a visit to Nigeria of our Deputy Minister for External Economic Relations, Mr. Matti Anttonen and a business delegation, with companies representing power, telecommunications, ICT, CleanTech, health, and education. In 2014, my Embassy organized in Lagos, a health and wellbeing event with over 200 participants from many different parts of Nigeria. This subject matter clearly is as relevant in Nigeria as it is in Finland, and the discussion and exchanges at that event were great. It gave us the opportunity also to share Finnish expertise on the so-called non-communicable diseases.

The Embassy works very closely with the Finnish trade promotion office Finpro in Lagos. They have organized successful ICT delegations’ visits to Nigeria among other activities, and both the Embassy and Finpro work on a continuous basis with Finnish companies interested in the Nigerian market. My experience is that if you are prepared to put in great work, you can have great results. Of course, here I am very much indebted to my extremely professional and hardworking staff, and to great colleagues in Finland as well as in Nigeria.

What is the volume of trade between Finland and Nigeria?

This is a tricky question. With a globalized economy, and the very internationalized Finnish businesses, it is in fact difficult to give figures that would adequately reflect the reality. Some exports of Finnish companies for instance are routed through third countries and, therefore, might not appear in official statistics. While I see several major Finnish companies operating in Nigeria, and many more actively exploring the opportunities, I would like to see the trade relations between Finland and Nigeria go further. There is so much more potential, and I would certainly like to see that potential fully realized. My experience of Nigerians is very positive. They are generally an extremely dynamic, innovative and hardworking people with a great sense of humour.

Has your embassy done any media exchange programme with Nigerian journalists?

Last year several Nigerian journalists attended programmes in Finland hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. The media in every country has a crucial role in disseminating important information, offering different perspectives and educating people. My Embassy puts a lot of effort into cultivating media relations, and I have been thoroughly impressed by the very active and interested media in this country.

On other issues

I would like to highlight the important role of all those Nigerians that are committing their time and effort into fostering Finland-Nigeria relations, including, most prominently, our Honorary Consul in Lagos Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, as well as the Nigerian-Finnish Association, since recently headed by His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel. There are many distinguished Nigerians that have visited my country, as well as many ‘alumni’ that have studied or lived in Finland, who are doing important work in strengthening the relations between Finland and Nigeria, during this Centenary year, and already for a long time.

The theme of Finland’s 100th Anniversary year is ‘Together’. That means that we want all Finns from all walks of life, as well as friends of Finland all over the world,  to ‘own’ this celebration, to contribute to it and to truly feel part of it.