With barely 10 days to the end of his tenure, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has advised diplomats posted to Nigeria to respect the country’s culture and traditional institutions.
“There is a lot to learn from our culture, and the traditional institutions are the custodians, and they should be respected by all,’’ Buhari advised the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Nigeria, Richard Montgomery and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, Velupillai Kananathan, when he received Letters of Credence from both diplomats on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, revealed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled ‘Always respect cultures and traditional institutions, President Buhari tells diplomats.’
Buhari welcomed Montgomery and Kananathan in separate meeting noting that Nigeria’s relations with both countries will be further consolidated with their consideration for her local culture, traditional rulers and institutions.
“I like the way our traditional rulers and institutions are being respected, in spite of the changing times, education, and rising materialism.
“There is a lot to learn from our culture, and the traditional institutions are the custodians, and they should be respected by all,’’ he said.
The President told the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom that the diplomatic relations, spanning many years, had been sustained on mutual respect for cultures, assuring that all courtesies will be extended to him to make his stay in Nigeria memorable.
He cited the cultural exchange between Nigeria and Britain through education and training which had been on for many years.
Buhari recalled that he underwent military training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot in England, from 1962 to 1963, and Mechanical Transport Officer’s Course at the Army Mechanical Transport School in Borden, United Kingdom, 1964.
He reasoned that a good understanding of cultural differences and respect for institutions paved the way for most of the successes of the United Kingdom.
This, he said, was evidenced by previous diplomats who established relations with the Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Shehu of Borno and Emir of Ilorin, the ancient gateway to the North.
“In one of my meetings with King Charles III, he asked me an interesting question if I had a house in England, and I replied that I don’t have a house, not an inch, anywhere outside Nigeria,” he said.
Drawing emphasis from Sri Lanka’s first female Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the President told Kananathan that women’s participation in politics and governance in Nigeria had steadily increased over the years.
“Recently, we got close to having the first female governor in Nigeria,’’ he added.
In his remarks, Montgomery said the United Kingdom had always held Nigeria and its cultural institutions in high esteem, while relating the best wishes of King Charles III, as Nigeria prepares for the handover ceremony on May 29.
The High Commissioner noted that the monarchy had been an integral part of the British system, and it had remained a major attraction and source of honour.
“We have had a long, productive dialogue over security, economic partnership, home affairs, and other issues,’’ he said.
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka told the President that the country continues to share its skills and experience with the Nigerian military in tackling insurgency.
Kananathan assured Buhari that he will consolidate the efforts of his predecessor, by strengthening relations on energy projects which had already started in East Africa.
