On a cold day in June, H.E. Chukwudi Okafor, the Ambassador of Nigeria had visited Siam University on 5th of June, 2015, initiated by the President Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit. He delivered a contemporary but, extraordinary speech about Nigeria’s Political, Economic, Social and, Educational environment in comparison with other nations. In a well-prepared speech, he profoundly acknowledged the strong relationship of the University with several Embassies, and the immense efforts of the University in engaging students in diplomatic conferences with Ambassadors and high-profile Dignitaries. The Ambassador gave an overview of the country’s geographical location by stating that Nigeria is made up of 36 states and, the Nigeria’s culture comprises of Arts, Science, Music, Dance, and Literature.
The Nigeria’s Political environment had been roaring in democracy for years, and recently had its first free and fair election. The Emissary declared that the new elected and inaugurated Nigerian government had pledged to be willfully and wholeheartedly opened to deploy delegates that will dispatch on a fact-finding mission to tackle the corruption in the country from progressing, and equally repaint the (tainted image of Nigeria). The government also promised to take a drastic step to revamp the security dilemma of the country for more flow of international sociopolitical engagements. Nigeria has maintained a strong diplomatic relationship with other nations, and the political cordial between Nigeria and Thailand is coming on stream.
The Nigeria’s economic revenue is simply based on natural resources. Nigeria used to be one of the wealthiest countries in the mid 70’s when their main export was in agriculture. But, her economy has diminished ever since the discovery of oil by leaving the agricultural expansion incapacitated. Despite the challenges facing the Nigeria’s economy from progressing, Nigeria remains the Africa’s largest economy after taking over South-Africa. His Excellency the Ambassador, leisurely decreed from the economic point of view that it is very crystal clear that Nigeria will be among the top 3 largest and wealthiest countries in the world by 2050.
The Nigeria’s educational system is based upon the formation of the British system, which includes 3 years of nursery, 6 years of primary, 6 years of secondary and 4 years of University. The Ambassador stated that the Nigerian educational system is believed to be moving in the right direction, and also the Nigerian education is vastly recognized worldwide. Nigerians are the most intellectual people in the world, producing most University Professors world over, including Thailand even here at Siam University our very own outstanding Prof. Emmanuel Okafor. The Ambassador, with a fleeting gleam of happiness on his face, vehemently revealed that, Nigerian students have greatly represented the country academically by being the best students in the U.K and the U.S. Above all, he gave a recommendation that, the Thai National Universities should establish more MOUs in Africa especially Nigeria for a quality education, which will capacitate more understanding and relationship between the countries and continents for global educational development. He equally encouraged Siam University to establish an exchange program with Nigerian Universities, exchange of professors as well as to be the leader in the process of ‘Academic Broadness’.
“There is something good coming in package for everybody here, from the deeply established hard works to an exciting end; it’s in a blur of perpetual motion to creativity and innovation, and while, our labor today yields better results, a prosperous future is undoubtedly and gracefully secured”. The Nigerian Ambassador, Chukwudi Okafor in his flat voice to the audience.
From the ridges of our hearts, we are overwhelmingly grateful by the visit of the Ambassador of Nigeria. And, his emphatic words solemnly and constantly throb in our hearts. However, this valorous visitation had enlightened our knowledge of what we know about Nigeria and Africa as a whole, and its rigid and flourishing heritage.
