Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), has advised Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate, to avoid statements capable of fueling ethnic division and instead promote unity and maintain party affiliations.
Senator Kalu gave the advice when he received Omokri at his residence, following Omokri’s confirmation by the National Assembly.
The media reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently submitted Omokri’s name and 64 others to the Senate for confirmation as career and non-career ambassador-nominees.
Speaking in a video shared on his official Facebook page, the former Abia State governor cautioned Omokri against making comments against the Igbo ethnic group, describing Igbos as integral to national unity.
“Don’t attack the Igbos again. They are your friends, we are the salt of this nation, and we are friendly to every tribe. The only thing I am against is when you speak against the Igbos. So, let your language now be Nigeria,” Kalu said.
He noted that Igbo communities are found across Nigeria, including Delta State, Omokri’s home state, stressing that peaceful coexistence has long been part of the nation’s history.
“If you go to your village in Delta State, Igbos are living there,” he added.
Senator Kalu urged Omokri to use his new position to promote national unity, and to also emulate President Tinubu’s approach of building relationships across ethnic and regional lines.
“You people should build the togetherness of the nation. Behave like President Tinubu who built friends across the nation,” he said.
The senator also emphasised the importance of party loyalty, reminding Omokri of the responsibilities attached to his diplomatic role.
“Maintain that party affiliation, you’re an ambassador of Nigeria, respect the party chairman,” Kalu stated, adding that party leadership should be respected across all states.
Responding, Remo Omokri thanked the senator for the advice and described him as a committed nationalist.
“This is a man that believes in Nigeria, a very proud Nigerian man. He is dead to ethnicity, tribalism and religion,” Omokri said.
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