Bob Dewar

One team, working together for progress in Nigeria

On 4 May, signed a joint mission statement with colleagues Eamon Cassidy of DFID and Peter Upton of the British Council. The main message is that we are one team, working together for progress and positive change in Nigeria.

Text: " MISSION STATEMENT

We believe progress in Nigeria contributes to a better Britain. We want a true partnership with Nigeria and with Africa.

Our values are those of service, mutual respect, integrity, professionalism, dignity and honesty. We believe in valuing diversity and in working as one committed team.

We will act as a bridge between our countries and peoples. We believe the UK in Nigeria should work innovatively for positive change, understanding and co-operation.

We will share our values, knowledge, experience, skills and technology, encouraging international rules-based standards and thereby helping our partners transform their country, economy and institutions so that all Nigerians can have a better quality of life.

The work of many of us is to provide fast, efficient and effective high quality services and support. We want to minimise bureaucracy, take necessary risks and deliver- but not to compromise on standards.  

In partnership with stakeholders in Nigeria and West Africa, we are working for faster progress towards the Millennium Development Goals; equitable wealth creation and sustainable lower carbon growth; better governance and democratic standards; good management of bona fide migration; prevention of conflict and promotion of peace and security; prevention of radicalisation and terrorism; and stronger bilateral, regional and international co-operation against serious crime, without fear or favour, including money laundering, trafficking of drugs or people.  

In the process we aim to improve perceptions of the UK and to encourage constructive Nigerian leadership in Africa.

We seek to empower our staff and catalyse their personal potential within a healthy work-life balance and a safe and happy environment.

We hope, in this way, to make a real difference.

Bob Dewar   Eamon Cassidy   Peter Upton
High Commissioner  Head of DfID Nigeria  British Council Director

MAY 2009 "

Drove to Kaduna for a lively evening reception for over a hundred young people from all over the North, many of them University students, who have been involved in debates and outreach and dialogue organised by the 'Bridgebuilders' organisation which we support.

The Bridgebuilders, who are ecumenical and inter-faith, are helping open the minds of youngsters to the need for peaceful dialogue and understanding as the way of resolving ethnic, religious or other differences, rather than violence and conflict. It was great to hear directly from the young people how they believe in these principles.

This has to be an important message in the North and Middle of Nigeria where many different ethnic and religious groups (Muslim and Christian) live in close proximity and where there is also competition for resources and sometimes political power.

Tragically many lives were lost from violence in Jos some months ago- which followed controversial local elections- and also in Bauchi.

Posted at 12:25 18 May 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

A time with Nigerian Chevening Scholars

The response was great. The calibre of people was exceptional, intellectually. Many of them told me it was the values and standards and way of doing things that they had appreciated in the UK, on top of what they had learned in their advanced studies. They said they wanted to contribute to the new Nigeria, and agreed the group could be real change agents.

The get-together was to mark the 25 year birthday of Chevening scholarships in general but also to encourage them to form an Association and try to make a positive difference as a group. As I said to them quoting Winston Churchill who said ‘we make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.’ 

Met a great group of youngish Nigerians from all over the country last Friday and Saturday. We had made a special effort to keep in touch with former Chevening scholars. This particular scheme is for bright young leaders of tomorrow who go for further education in Britain. There are over 1,000 now in Nigeria and they are making a mark in many walks of life ranging from development to Government to journalism to private sector to judiciary.

Posted at 16:38 19 March 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

The days are getting colder..

Just finished a few weeks of training in London. One thing I have learnt is that one can never stop learning and developing. One of the courses was ‘leadership’. I offered my views that leadership includes liberating others to fulfil their own potential.

I’m glad we’ve greatly increased the training budget in our missions in Nigeria. Helping staff to take learning and development seriously is win win for everyone. I hope the quality of our performance and the high standards we set for ourselves can also have some influence outside the mission.

The days are getting colder in Britain so I’m looking forward to getting back to some African heat! I’ve talked to many Government colleagues in different Ministries about our busy work schedule in months ahead. We hope to do a lot in partnership with our new Ministry of Energy and Climate Change for example. But almost every part of the UK government is working with Nigeria –which shows how foreign and domestic policies are one and the same. Better governance, legitimate migration, links to international standards and skills, good services – these are all basic elements of what we try to contribute to every day on the ground.

Had some very useful meetings with important British companies and banks doing business with Nigeria. They are all watching the situation carefully and want to make the right – constructive - judgements as things move forward. Had a friendly meeting with my opposite number, the Nigerian High Commissioner and also met the head of the association of Nigerians in the UK, who can really make a positive contribution back in Nigeria.

Posted at 17:29 29 October 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Lots of opportunities and lots of challenges......

I’ve been blogging on the High Commission website since my arrival in Nigeria I’ve been here six months now so perhaps it’s time to pause for thought.  Such an important country for Africa. Such a big country!  Over 140 million people and over 250 different ethnic groups. It’s like seeing Africa contained in one country although of course every African country is different. I seem to have been travelling non stop and still need to visit two thirds of the States in this Federal Republic (there are 36).

There are lots of opportunities and lots of challenges for the Nigerian Government - not least sorting out the Niger Delta problem with its knotty mixture of deep issues of criminality, security, poor governance and development.

My main thought, six months on, is the one I had when I first stepped off the BA flight in this new capital of Abuja. We are intertwined together, Britain and Nigeria, by history, people, shared background.  We think the same way. Nigerian people are great - the true wealth of the country, not the oil and gas however important (and sometimes distorting) those are. So it is crucial that we talk to each other and listen to each other, with mutual respect.

Secondly there’s a real opportunity right now for Nigeria to make a new start and improve the quality of what it does. In re-building institutions, services, infrastructure. Here it’s important that the UK helps by offering useful experience, skills, knowledge. In other words we should add value to what Nigeria wants to do, whether through official links or private sector.

Quality also in terms of values and integrity. Simply having the political will to roll back corruption will make a great difference. Tackling large scale corruption and taking to court those who have misused their position for personal gain will be win-win for the government. It encourages investment. It sends a signal that there is no impunity for the corrupt, however powerful they are. The people want better leadership and a better quality of life. The current President offers real hope with his vision. 

So that’s my morning reflection over my pawpaw- plus fresh orange juice. I was present at migration talks in London on Monday, which I think underline the point about us being intertwined. UK prisons have many Nigerians in them. And there are many other Nigerians who do not have legal right to remain in the UK. Equally we do want and we do value legitimate Nigerian travellers and visitors and those who are highly skilled and contribute to our economy. So it’s right that we have a regular and constructive dialogue on these issues round the table.

I am off in a few days to the UK and it’s only a matter of weeks before we will be receiving President Yar’Adua and his team on his very important visit to London. The visit will be great for both countries. Will let you know how it goes!

Posted at 15:34 02 July 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[13]