The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the Minister of State-designate for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, as a national asset.
Gbajabiamila made the remark on Wednesday at the State House in Abuja during a send-off ceremony organised by his office in honour of the ambassador.
He expressed confidence in Enikanolaiye’s ability to excel in his new role, noting that his extensive experience in diplomacy, international relations, and academia, as well as his strong work ethic, position him for success in ministerial office.
The Chief of Staff also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for elevating the career diplomat, describing the appointment as a reflection of confidence in his institutional capacity and service record.
Gbajabiamila recalled his decision to appoint Enikanolaiye as Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, describing him as diligent, respectful, and highly professional in the discharge of his duties, even in moments of disagreement.
In his response, Ambassador Enikanolaiye thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, first as Senior Special Assistant and now as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while also appreciating the Chief of Staff for providing a conducive working environment.
He urged staff members to prioritise excellence, productivity, and mutual respect in the workplace, while cautioning against negative attitudes that could undermine efficiency and harmony.
Earlier, Mrs Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Operations in the Office of the Chief of Staff, said the ceremony was organised in recognition of the ambassador’s commitment, discipline, and attention to detail, adding that his appointment was well deserved.
Other speakers at the event praised Enikanolaiye’s leadership qualities and mentorship, describing his service at the State House as exemplary.
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, from Igbagun in Kogi State, graduated with a First Class degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1981, where he emerged as the best graduating student in his faculty. He joined the Ministry of External Affairs in 1982, graduated top of his class at the Foreign Service Academy in Lagos in 1984, and rose through the diplomatic ranks to become Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2016 before retiring in 2017 after 35 years of service.
