The Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria has hailed Chief Emeka Anyaoku on his 90th birthday.
Anyaoku was the third Commonwealth Secretary-General.
In a statement signed by the ARCAN President, John Shinkaiye, on Wednesday, the Association said Anyaoku spared no time to leave his imprint during service years.
The Association praised Anyaoku for his life as a true Nigerian patriot of special genre.
The statement read in part, “We in the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria, join the Nigerian Nation, and indeed, the global community, to felicitate with you as you attain the venerated age of 90 years, today, Wednesday, 18th January, 2023.
“ARCAN most heartily congratulates the ‘Ichie Adazie’ of Obosi Ancient
Kingdom and Ugwumba Idemili, in Anambra State, on this auspicious occasion, and equally rejoice with you and those dearest to you.
“A member of the pioneering generation of the Nigerian Foreign Service
Officers, we celebrate and honour you with profound appreciation, for your public service, both here at home and within the global community. In this regard, we note that in the early days of our country’s diplomacy and international relations, you were quite outstanding amongst your peers.
“We fondly recollect that by the personal beckoning of then Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, you joined the infant Nigerian Foreign Service in 1962, moving from the Commonwealth Development Corporation, where you were already flying high.
“With marked impression, you spared no time to leave your imprint, both at
headquarters, then in Lagos and Mission abroad, to wit, the Office of the Permanent Secretary and the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York, both of where you served with distinction.
“Even more, your steady rise in
international civil service at Marlborough House, London, headquarters of the 54 nation organisation to become Deputy Secretary in 1977, was a moment of great national pride to us. Of no less inspiration for Nigeria and we, your colleagues from our country’s diplomatic community, was your election as the third Secretary General of the Commonwealth and assumption of office on 1st July, 1990.
“Your Excellency, ARCAN is very proud of you, which is why, in 2022, you were one of the first three recipients of the “ARCAN Special Award” for your
professional excellence, impeccable character, and exemplary leadership and service in the pursuit of freedom, justice, democracy and good governance in Nigeria, the African continent, and the Commonwealth.
“As you join the league of our revered nonagenarians, we salute your life as a
true Nigerian patriot of special genre. Quite apt, but in your case, length of days has come along with superlatives of a fulfilling life’s work still
on course.
“We, therefore, wish you the best that life offers to you in the years ahead, in the best of spirits, good health, peace and contentment, and in the company of your beloved wife and lifelong companion, Chief (Mrs.) Bunmi Anyaoku.”
