“Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.” – Warren Bennis
Following his meritorious and highly deserved appointment, Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama, Nigeria’s Minister of foreign affairs has remained a mystical revelation from the South Eastern Region of the Country.
Unlike many Easterners who are more interested in the game of politics, Kwusike who is in a world of his own as a tested and trusted technocrat, has carved a niche for himself, the South East and the Nigerian Nation as new face of Nigeria.
This is clearly evident in the manner the minister has fittingly and diplomatically handled the many global challenges affecting Nigerians abroad, ranging from the defunct gale of deportation of Nigerians, xenophobia in South Africa, the upsurge in the Yahoo-Yahoo grip of most young Nigerians and many others.
But since mounting the international stage as the face of Nigeria globally, Kwusike has redefined and resuscitated the faith and confidence of countries across the world in Nigeria and Nigerians, thereby giving our Nationals plying their genuine and responsible businesses abroad a vista of hope and glimmer of smile they have equal rights with the rest of the world.
This has resulted in Nigeria entering into diplomatic relations with viable economic and politically powerful Nations of the world, with Nigeria being the greatest beneficiary of such ties.
Variously educated at Columbia University, New York in 1977; At St. John’s college, Cambridge in 1980 and London School of Economics and political science in 1982 as political scientist and Lawyer, Kwusike’s brilliance, intelligence, eloquence, diplomacy, candor, zeal and zest, have proven beyond reasons and conviction that a new Nigeria is ever and always possible.
Born to the family of Nigerian jurist Charles Onyeama, Geoffrey’s grooming in leadership started early in life when after his graduation he worked as research Officer in the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Lagos from 1983 to 1984. He then worked as a lawyer with Mogboh and Associates in Enugu , Nigeria from 1984 to 1985. In 1985, he joined the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as an Assistant Programme Officer for Development Cooperation and External Relations, Bureau for Africa and Western Asia. He rose through the ranks at the WIPO to become Deputy Director General for the Development Sector in 2009.
Indeed, “before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” – Jack Welch.
Go, Onyeama, make us more proud, Nigerians are behind you.
Hon. Onyekachi Okenwa is former House of Representatives Aspirant, Uzo Uwani/ Igboetiti Federal Constituency.
Okenwa161@gmail.com