DICAN Confers Grand Patron Award On The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, DICAN, has conferred on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the Grand patron of DICAN for his innovative role in enhancing Nigeria’s foreign policy under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Tuggar, while receiving the award, tasked the diplomatic correspondents on patriotism and diplomacy to protect Nigeria’s interests globally.
He congratulated DICAN for the successful election process, which according to him, is very important and significant, especially under the present administration that continues to emphasise the importance of diplomacy and for foreign policy agenda, Diplomacy, Democracy, Development, democracy and Diaspora.
The Minister, noted the burden of responsibility, resting on both him and members of the association saying that Diplomatic Correspondents just like the ministry, are responsible for explaining Nigeria’s position whenever key positions are taken in the realm of diplomacy and in terms of implementing Nigeria’s foreign policy, so the responsibility is heavy.
The Chairman of DICAN, the Senior Editor of Channel Network Afrique(CNA), Comrade Frederick Idehai, had earlier assured the Minister of DICAN’s partnership to project the nation’s image positively before the international community as well as drive the country’s foreign policy in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President.
Idehai, also intimated the Minister about the foreign trips and welfare packages for members of DICAN which had been placed on hold for sometime now.
He appealed on the Minister, to revive it as it will be an opportunity for them to report from a patriotic point of view.
The DICAN Chairman, also sought support for both foreign and local capacity building for members saying that it is a well-known fact that most journalists are not being paid.