ASDIR  signs MoU with Irene Travels and Tours for effective global impact

ASDIR  signs MoU with Irene Travels and Tours for effective global impact

Joel Oladele, Abuja

As part of efforts to broaden the scope of its impact, The African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Irene Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited.

ASDIR is an international citadel of learning committed to academic excellence with a Pan African orientation.

Speaking at the event which took place recently in Abuja, Dr. Tunji Asaolu, the Vice Chairman and CEO, ASDIR, noted that the MoU is not coming by mistake but a right step in the right direction.

“What we are doing today is something that has already been ordained even before now and I’m sure we are not making mistakes. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. So we just started by knowing ourselves from one level and from there to the next level. 

“I also believe that we’re going higher than you can ever imagine. I’m sure when we get there, we would be surprised that we never thought it could be this great,” Asaolu said. 

Also at the event, the school appointed individuals expected to champion its course and carry out its impact mandate across the globe.

Announcing the appointees, Dr. Asaolu described them as worthy ambassadors going by their track records and urged them to give nothing less than the best in the interest of the society.

“For us to start implementing the MoU, we also thought it necessary that Ambassador Irene should also be appointed as a Principal officer in charge of Travels and Events Management of the African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR). 

“Our aim is not only to conquer Nigeria but Africa and the World as a whole. When Jesus was sending His disciples, he charged them to start from Jerusalem, Judea and the uttermost part of the world. When we started too, we just felt that we should stay at home to conquer Nigeria but I think to answer our name as African School of Diplomacy and International Relations, we felt we should also step out beyond the shores of Nigeria and even beyond Africa. 

“It’s for this reason we are partnering with Irene Travels and Tours Nigeria Ltd. Ambassador, this is a huge responsibility on your part, we don’t have any doubt or excuse on your availability as you are now part of the school. We are appointing you today as the Principal officer in charge of Travels and Events Management  and what that simply means is that you are actually playing a role in this school and of course we are expecting a hundred percent commitment. 

“It’s now for you to maximize it. I usually tell people that an office depends on who is occupying it, you can either decide to make it small or big but with what we know about you, I’m sure you won’t make it small. Making it big is an understatement when it comes to you, I believe you will deliver so I say congratulations to you.”

The management also appointed Dr. (Amb.) Ngozi Judith as a member, Governing Advisory Council, Pan African Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment (PANACCTI) while Pastor (Amb.) Samson Oodo was appointed as Chairman, Africa Business Mentorship Projects under PANACCTI.

The Pan African Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment (PANACCTI) is a vibrant, autonomous business hub organization with the aim of representing businesses throughout Africa and across the globe.

Dr. Asaolu noted that PANACCTI is a unique multilateral chamber of commerce aimed at bringing all Africa businesses together under one umbrella.

“I think we can be referred to as a group of companies because we also have the Pan African Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment, which is a trade of All the African Businesses. Some years ago, we discovered there is a gap as no one is talking about Africa businesses so in trying to bridge this gap, some African sons and daughters came together to form what is called Pan Africa Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment. 

“In the past, what we normally see is either the chamber of commerce that is bilateral. For example the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, those are unilateral. In the bilateral, we see Nigeria with another country’s chamber of commerce but none of them has been able to bring all Africa businesses together under one umbrella and that is the reason Pan Africa Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment is being established. 

“It is multilateral. It’s also unique in its own way in the sense that there is no chamber of commerce that is dedicated to culture and this is the angle we’ve neglected over the years. There are so many investments in culture. It’s from culture we see arts, heritage and tourism. So these are the gaps we are trying to bridge. The scope is expanding and we believe the officers managing the field will deliver. Although the harvest is plenty, the labourers are few. 

“We have seen great qualities in two people and we decided to bring them on board to be of benefit in this regard. It has been discussed with the board of directors and approval has been given.

“One of them is joining the governing advisory council and the person is Dr. (Amb.) Ngozi Judith. We’ve looked at your profile and discovered that what you have is in tandem with what we need, so we believe with what God has helped you to achieve over the years, you are capable. “So on behalf of the board of directors and also in my capacity as Secretary General of Pan Africa Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment, we welcome you on board. 

“The last person is a good brother. We believe we always speak the same language, I don’t see any confusion in the relationship we are trying to build with him. Still under the Pan African Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment, he’s a successful businessman, someone who partners with God. We deem it fit to bring him on board and his name is Pastor (Amb.) Samson Oodo. 

“When you see a pastor doubles as ambassador, be sure that he will always say the truth because ambassadors are known for truth, combining it with being a pastor then you can trust him when it comes to saying the truth. 

“We have a program that we call Africa Business Mentorship Project under this Pan Africa Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment, the idea behind this is to raise as many as young CEOs and why we also put him in this capacity is because I know there is a secret that has made him to become who he is, and we want that secret to become a legacy by replicating it in the life of so many young people. 

“We believe you will do very well in that capacity so the appointment we are giving you today, you are not a member of that project, you have been appointed as a chairman African Business Mentorship Projects under the Pan African Chamber of Culture, Trade and Investment and the implication is that automatically, you are now a member of governing council of that same chamber, so it’s a double cap and double honor.” Asaolu stated.

In his acceptance speech, Pastor Samson Oodo appreciated the management and promised not to disappoint.

“I want to appreciate what has happened today, like we already heard, it’s one in a lifetime and we are thanking God that it is happening today. I want to sincerely appreciate the African School of Diplomacy and International Relations. It is an honor and we are assuring you that we’ll not disappoint you. 

“I also want to assure Nigeria and Africa at large that by the special grace of God, we’ll enlighten our youth to take after this, we’ll encourage them to stop running helter skelter. We’ll inform them that it is possible to have a United States of Africa. It is very possible and these are the positive hopes we are going to continue to spread to the younger generation and I really want to thank us all for believing in us.”

Also reacting to the appointment, Amb. (Dr.) Ngozi Judith said “I’m so happy and feel honored to receive this appointment, I never saw it coming but I have seen it happening. I promise with my team that we’ll do our work diligently, obey instructions and  deliver to the society as expected of us. I will do my best in my department to make my team and organization proud in my capacity and in everything.

Amb. Irene Ezekwe on her own part also said:“I really appreciate it and I’m grateful for another appointment. It can only be God. I’m grateful to your Excellency for what you have done, may God Almighty continue to bless you and your entire family in Jesus name. I promise to do my best with God on my side.”