In a history making week when Kamala Harris was sworn in as the
\nfirst-ever African American and Asian American female Vice President of
\nthe United States, Nigeria was also recording a historic first for a
\nfemale public servant.<\/p>\n
Keeping to its commitment of upholding merit in the appointment of
\npersons to key positions, the Muhammadu Buhari administration had again
\nrecorded another feat with the appointment of Dr Uzoma Emenike as
\nNigeria\u2019s first female Ambassador to the United States.<\/p>\n
Until her recent appointment, Emenike, who hails from Umukabia-Ohuhu in
\nUmuahia North Local Government Area of Abia, was Nigeria\u2019s Ambassador to
\nthe Republic of Ireland and Iceland.<\/p>\n
Over the course of her career, Emenike\u2019s drive for excellence shines
\nthrough.<\/p>\n
During that time, she was rated among the best performing ambassadors.
\nThis was a major reason why the president submitted her name for
\nreappointment last year, even though some others who were appointed at
\nthe same time with her were dropped.<\/p>\n
With her recent appointment by the president as Nigeria\u2019s Ambassador to
\nthe US, she now takes over from the late 83-year-old Justice Nsofor.<\/p>\n
Being the first female to be in that position has set a new standard,
\nwith analysts noting that her appointment has changed the landscape for
\nNigerian female diplomats.<\/p>\n
She is among 52 non-career and 43 career ambassadors whose deployment
\nwas recently approved by the president.<\/p>\n
This comes six months after the National Assembly\u2019s confirmation of the
\nlist of ambassadors-designate submitted by the President.<\/p>\n
Having joined the Nigeria Foreign Service about 30 years ago, Emenike
\nserved in Protocol Department and Africa Department of the Ministry of
\nForeign Affairs.<\/p>\n
From there, she was posted to the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Cote
\nD\u2019Ivoire in 1992, where she served for six years. On her return to
\nNigeria, she was deployed to other departments of the Ministry and
\nserved meritoriously.<\/p>\n
During this time, she represented Nigeria in numerous bilateral and
\nmultilateral missions, locally and internationally.<\/p>\n
A retired career diplomat, Emenike holds a PhD in International
\nDiplomacy from the University of Reading, UK, alongside four other
\ndegrees \u2013 two masters (Diplomacy and MBA); LLB, and a Bachelor.<\/p>\n
They include a B.Sc, Sociology and Anthropology from the University of
\nMaiduguri, Nigeria, and an LL.B from the University of Reading in the UK
\nwhile her Master\u2019s degree in International Law and Diplomacy was from
\nthe University of Lagos, Nigeria.<\/p>\n
She also obtained another Master\u2019s in International Management from
\nUniversity of Reading, UK. She has certificates in French and
\nPostgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy, Nigerian Diplomatic Service Academy.<\/p>\n
Emenike is also an author. Her published articles include: \u201cThe AFRICA
\nWe Envisage in 50 Years Time\u201d and \u201cEurope Needs Africa\u201d.<\/p>\n
She also authored a book on Nigerian diplomacy, entitled, \u201cAfrica: The
\nCentre-Piece of Nigeria\u2019s Foreign Policy (2015)\u201d.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, when she met the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, a
\nfew years ago for her swearing-in ceremony in Dublin, he told her then
\nhe had read her book.<\/p>\n
This says a lot about her expertise in the diplomatic field and the
\nglobal significance of the book.<\/p>\n
On the home front, Emenike is married to Chief Ikechi Emenike, a
\nbrilliant economist and highly successful entrepreneur, and they are
\nblessed with four children. Those close to her say she is compassionate,
\nbut firm and dedicated to getting things done the right way.<\/p>\n
Having worked in several missions abroad before retiring from the public
\nservice, Emenike brings a wealth of experience to the office.<\/p>\n
Her appointment is seen as one that would further deepen bilateral
\nrelations and trade between the US and Nigeria.(NAN)<\/p>\n
In a history making week when Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first-ever African American and Asian American female Vice President of the United States, Nigeria was also recording…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":77907,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n