Encomiums rain on the Nigerian Ambassador to Angola, Prof Monique Ekpong as she marks first year in office as Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the republic of Angola.
The former don officially presented her Letter of Credence to the president of Angola, His Excellency, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço at the Presidential Villa in Luanda on August 12, 2021. The occasion formalized Ambassador Ekpong's mandate as head of the Nigerian mission in Angola, as the reception and subsequent grant of requests made before the Angolan President, heralded a new era of mutually benefiting relations for both countries.
Recounting some of the achievements in office, a release by the Media Assistant to the Ambassador, Nelson NseAbasi has 'Return of direct Flights To & From Luanda' on top of the list, as Nigerians living in Angola have commended the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, his Angolan counterpart, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and the Nigerian Ambassador to Angola, Prof. Monique Ekpong for the relief brought by the restoration of direct flights from Angola to Nigeria.The Angolan official carrier, TAAG now flies Lagos-Luanda twice weekly.
Mrs Ekpong, who doubles as Chairman of Ambassadors of Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) considers the restoration of direct flights from Angola to Nigeria as a positive development especially as regards millions of Nigerians/Angolans who ply the route weekly for both business and tourism. The feat alone has brought about increased Bilateral Trade & Business Relations. The ease of travel documentation and the return of direct flights has given a boost to bilateral relationship and cordiality between Nigeria and Angola.
In addition to that, issues rising from regularization of documents for Nigerians in Angola and those with intentions of traveling to Luanda have been put to an end. The embassy has in the last months facilitated regularization of papers,visa documentation for more than 1000 Nigerians resident in Angola.
Also notable is the fact that members of the Nigerian Community in Angola (NICA) have laid to rest the leadership tussle which stagnated the apex body of Nigerians residing in the country. In October 2021, Prof Ekpong appointed an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) saddled with the responsibility to conduct a free and fair election, where Mr Ogbuka Obinna Anthony emerged as the President in the well participated election.
Observing her numerous strides during the short time,
Prof Monique Ekpong was honoured in November 2021 by My Media Africa, organisers of Africa Illustrious Awards, she was decorated with the distinguished African Diplomat of the Year Award.
Nelson confirms that Goodwill Messages have been flowing in from colleagues and associates of the Cross River born diplomat and politician, sending her good wishes following her commendable first year score card.
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