It was a night of camaraderie, food and dance when on the evening of Sunday 5th December, 2021, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, former Senate Leader and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) hosted the outgoing Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon and his wife to a farewell party in his Asokoro, Abuja residence.
The gathering attracted the crème de la crème of the diplomatic community in Nigeria including the Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Mrs. Amina Mohammed as the special guest as well as the ambassadors of the U.S, China, Spain, Austria, Egypt, Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone. The British and Australian High Commissioners, amongst other top diplomats and Nigerian government functionaries were also in attendance, as were the heads of the UN agencies in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, Senator Ndoma-Egba described Mr. Kallon as a friend and neighbour who had successfully humanized the United Nations, which hitherto he opined had seemed rather distant from the people. He welcomed all the guests that made out time to honour the invitation to celebrate Mr. Kallon. On her part, Mrs. Amina Mohammed thanked Mr. Kallon for doing a great job in Nigeria, noting that he was being posted to Zimbabwe because the country needed someone with his experience and disposition.
In his response, Mr. Kallon thanked the Government and people of Nigeria, as well as the diplomatic community for making his sojourn in Nigeria worthwhile. The US Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard and Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice gave the votes of thanks after good will messages from some heads of UN agencies.
