Ex-President Buhari, Top British officials, Ambassadors, Nigerian Professionals Hail Ambassador Isola
The Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola has been described as the most active, extraordinary, competent, tireless advocate, humourous and charismatic diplomatic envoy in the United Kingdom (UK) as he clocks his second year in office.
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, the Nigeria High Commissioner was hailed to have scored high in performance within two years of his tenure.
Among his achievements are within 90 days of assumption of office, he cleared over 20,000 passport backlogs before his arrival, and consequently, introduced the rollout of the enhanced Nigerian E-passport.
According to the UK-based African Voice newspaper, High Commissioner Isola has done a lot to protect and enhance Nigeria’s image in the UK by speaking out against the travel ban that was introduced at the time of discovering the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
He met the Speaker of the House of Commons, engaging in bilateral discussions and raising the Nigerian Flag at the Palace of Westminster on 8th February 2022, which was assessed to be Nigeria’s best time in the Court of St James’s.
His engagements at the UK-Nigeria security and defence inaugural partnership dialogue at the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office, London on 31st January-2nd February 2022, and support for the reelection of Baroness Scotland as Commonwealth Secretary-General were rated high in the diplomatic circle.
The 14th High Commissioner of Nigeria to the Court of St James’s, His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Isola, OFR arrived in the UK on Sunday, 2 May 2021 and resumed at No. 9 Northumberland Avenue London office of the Nigeria High Commission on Monday 3 May 2021.
Nigerian professionals and groups of residents in Britain have also adjudged Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola’s interpersonal and official interactions with the Nigerian community in the UK as stellar and encouraging, particularly his messages of goodwill at the occasion of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari, among several others who showered encomium on Ambassador Sarafa Isola, wrote in the House visitor’s book: “I am delighted to be here in London together with other world leaders to witness the historic coronation of King Charles ll, on this day, 6th May 2023. My participation at the event is a testimony to the highly beneficial bilateral relations existing between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
I commend the High Commissioner, His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Isola and members of staff of the High Commission for successfully hosting my delegation and l. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Others include Secretary-General, Rt. Hon Baroness Patricia Scotland, Secretary General Commonwealth said: “High Commissioner Sarafa Tunji Isola is a tireless advocate for his country. His passion and patriotism are evident to anyone who engages with him and comes as no surprise, adding that his commitment and dedication to serving his country and his people to the best of his abilities is commendable”.
She also added that High Commissioner Isola is an active participant within the Commonwealth family- he is assiduous in discharging his duties and makes his presence felt, from his ideas and insights into how the Commonwealth family can grow, evolve and become better, to his humour and charisma, as Milton Tella described him as dynamic, progressive and quintessential.
Kate Osamor, Member of Parliament for Edmonton said, Isola is patient and communicative, saying it was great to see him engaging with Parliamentarians and lots of members of the diaspora who were eager to see greater UK-Nigeria engagement.
Dr Alex Vines, OBE, Director, Africa Programme, Chatham House, an international Affairs Think Tank said Sarafa Isola had enhanced Nigeria’s High Commission profile across the UK, from engagement with the diaspora to encouraging the restitution of cultural goods and deepening bilateral relations with Britain: “H.E Sarafa is one of the most active diplomatic envoys accredited to the Court of St James’s.”
Ambassador Hakim Hajoul, High Commissioner of Morocco to the UK describes Ambassador Sarafa Isola as distinguished by his natural leadership and innovative thinking. “He is a key driver in the collaborative dynamic of the AU Heads of Mission group.
He has fostered excellent relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Nigeria. I firmly believe that we will continue together with other fellow African High Commissioners and Ambassadors, to work very closely to continue to promote and enhance the British partnership with the African Continent.”
“Ambassador Johnston Busingye, High Commissioner of Rwanda to the UK said, Ambassador Sarafa is revolutionary and induces a positive change, adding that he’s a true diplomat, inspirational and reliable.
Other diplomats who showered encomium on Ambassador Sarafa Isola included Ambassador Lounes Magrammane of Algeria to the United Kingdom, and Linda Scott, High Commissioner of Namibia and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth.
The Algerian ambassador said he has built beneficial professional and personal relationships with Ambassador Isola to give “the best image for our respective countries and our continent through the African Union”; while the Namibia High Commissioner to the UK said, “We have relied on his insights and wisdom regarding how Africa engages with the Government of the United Kingdom and with the Commonwealth, in business and political areas of interest”.
Prince Afolabi Andu, Pan-African Chairman, Nigerian British Business Forum & CEO Visage World Limited Otunba Bimbo Roberts Folayan, former Chairman of CANUK, Founder of NDDIS Prof. Oba Nsugbe KC, Barrister, Head of Pump Court Chambers and former Chairman of British Nigeria Law Forum Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Group Associate Medical Director for Patient Safety at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and Adebimpe Kudehinbu, former Chairman Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) UK all commended High Commissioner Isola for his intervention in clearing passport backlog and reducing passport processing time and his interventions with the International community when Nigerian travellers were being blacklisted during the COVID-19 crises.
His strong response to the action of the international community was invaluable. he has shown himself as a natural leader.
Others were Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, Chief (Dr) Cllr. Kate Anolue (Aunty Kate), former double Mayor, London Borough of Enfield, Wendy Olayiwola – Odutola BEM, FRCM FRSA President, Nigerian Nurses Association UK Amir Bagwanje, Chairman Support Staff of the High Commission London, Dr Boma Douglas PhD, CEng MEI (Chartered Energy Engineer) immediate past Chairman, Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), Hon Tunde Doherty, Chairman APC UK Chapter and APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen (CDC), Bolaji Lewis, Chairman Nigerian Think Tank Group, Charles Iyore, Investment analyst and Principal partner at the UK based Dion & Associates Limited, and Alistair Soyode, founder of BEN TV said Nigerians in the UK consensually looked forward to Ambassador’s continuous service.
Still, others who spoke glowingly of Sarafa Isola were Pastor Olukayode Owolabi, Senior Pastor, The Everlasting Arms Ministries, Alhaji Teju Kareem MD, Zmirage UK, Otunba, Arc. Mobolaji Falase, Custodian General Yoruba Council of Elders and member, Nigeria Council of Elders in the UK, Morenike Ajayi MBE, Author and Director of Corporate Services at Gravesend Churches Housing Association (GCHA), Chief Adebayo Oladimeji former Chairman Nigeria Council of Elders in the UK, Dr Falalu Dahiru Danwata, Member Board of Trustees of Africa Healthcare Development Trust (AHDT), Akintokunbo A Adejumo, Global Coordinator, Champions For Nigeria, and Ibironke Adeagbo FCCA FCA, CEO/Founder – IA-Foundation, all saying Isola seamlessly, excellently interact with people regardless of their Nigerian tribes or backgrounds.
