Dr Uzoma Emenike (Nigerian Amb. to America)
After decades of service to Nigeria, Dr. Uzoma Emenike (prominent diplomat) will be walking into the Nigerian Embassy in the United States of America as first female Ambassador- designate to the States.
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Dr. Emenike as Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to the United States of America. Dr. Emenike hails from Abia state and is currently the Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland, with concurrent accreditation to Iceland. However, as a result of her new appointment, she will be replaced by Obiezu Chinyerem at the embassy in Dublin, the capital of Ireland.
This new role has apparently presented Dr. Emenike as the first female Nigerian ambassador to the USA.
Over the course of her career, Emenike’s drive for excellence shines through. During that time, she was rated among the best performing ambassadors. This may seemingly be one of the reasons the President submitted her name for reappointment last year, even though some others whose appointment came same time as hers, were dropped. Her predecessor was 83 years old, Justice Nsofor who is deceased.
Being the first female to be in that position has set a new standard, with analysts noting that her appointment has changed the landscape for Nigerian female diplomats.
Report has it that She is among 52 non-career and 43 career ambassadors whose deployment was recently approved by Buhari. This comes six months after the National Assembly’s confirmation of the list of ambassadors-designate submitted by the president.
Dr. Emenike holds a PhD in International Diplomacy from the University of Reading, UK, alongside four other degrees – two masters (International Law and Diplomacy was from the University of Lagos, Nigeria and Master’s in International Management from University of Reading, UK); LLB from same University in the UK, and a B.Sc., Sociology and Anthropology, from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
She also has certificates in French and Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy, Nigerian Diplomatic Service Academy.
The 55-year-old joined Nigeria’s foreign service over 30 years ago. Aside from her role as a foreign diplomat, Dr. Emenike is also a writer with a host of published works.
She is married to Ikechi Emenike, an All Progressives Congress chieftain, and ally of President Buhari. Their union is blessed with four children.
Image Source: Legit.ng
