The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said the indelible legacies of Indonesia’s ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ursa Harahap, in grass-roots engagement, media diplomacy, and promoting Indonesia-Nigeria relations will endure.
Mr Ndace stated this while eulogising Mr Harahap at a farewell ceremony in Abuja on Thursday for the ambassador who concluded tenure after six years.
The VON DG said the envoy’s notable achievements included media diplomacy and numerous donations to several communities across Nigeria, which underscored his commitment to grass-roots development that helped to promote people-to-people ties.
He described Mr Harahap, a retired air vice marshal in the Indonesian military, as a quintessential diplomat, an exemplary and visionary leader with a dedication to hard work.
According to him, Mr Harahap worked tirelessly to foster greater cooperation and understanding between Indonesia and Nigeria, hence strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The VON boss noted that with such amazing landmark achievements, Mr Harahap was leaving an indelible mark in the sands of time in Nigeria and the ECOWAS subregion, to which he had concurrent accreditation.
“Your Excellency, you have been a true ambassador of Indonesia, promoting the interests of your country while also building bridges of friendship and cooperation across Nigeria. These include but are not limited to, the regular donation of food items and rams during Sallah festivities, which bring joy and relief to many families. Your generosity and kindness go beyond these donations, as you also personally built a befitting mosque in a community, which endeared you to the people. Together with your wife, you are a dynamic duo bequeathing an indelible mark on the Nigerian diplomatic community,’’ Mr Ndace said.
In his remarks, the ambassador thanked Mr Ndace for the eulogies and expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and its people for their warm hospitality and support during his tour of duty.
He also appreciated the members of staff of the Indonesian embassy for their hard work, commitment, cooperation and dedication to duty.
“I could not have achieved anything without your tireless efforts and commitment to excellence,” Mr Harahap stated.
Domestic staff members of the Indonesian Embassy were visibly emotional as they shared their experiences and fond memories of working with Mr Harahap, as William Haruna eulogised the ambassador for his kindness and generosity.
“He has been like a father to us, always caring about our well-being and supporting us in everything we do,” he said.
Another staff member, Hassim Farouk, extolled Mr Harahap’s humility and kindness.
“His Excellency is a true example of a humble leader. He always puts the needs of others before his own, and his kindness and generosity have touched the lives of many Nigerians,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Nigerian government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and Indonesian embassy staffers, among others.
The high point of the handover ceremony was the presentation of the “Award of Excellence in Diplomacy” from Diplomats Extra Magazine, presented to Mr Harahap by Mr Ndace.
