Nigeria’s diplomatic community gathered on Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to celebrate the launch of Fragments of Time: My Foreign Service Years, a memoir chronicling decades of service by veteran diplomat Eineje Onobu.
The event, held at the Rotunda of the Ministry, drew senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and policy stakeholders, underscoring the significance of the publication to Nigeria’s foreign policy landscape.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, described the book as a profound reflection of Nigeria’s diplomatic journey and a tribute to a lifetime of dedicated service.
Ahmed noted that the occasion went beyond the unveiling of a book, emphasizing that it was also a celebration of Ambassador Onobu’s enduring contributions to the country’s foreign service. He highlighted the core values reflected in the diplomat’s career professionalism, patriotism, resilience, and integrity as foundational to Nigeria’s engagement on the global stage.
According to him, the memoir provides a rich account of the realities of diplomacy, offering readers a window into the complexities of international relations and Nigeria’s evolving role in global affairs. He added that the author’s personal experiences, carefully documented, form a compelling narrative that blends history, policy, and human experience.
“For officers within the Ministry, this work serves both as a historical record and a guide,” Ahmed said, noting that it challenges younger diplomats to uphold the high standards established by their predecessors.
He further described the book as a valuable contribution to scholarship and national memory, stressing its relevance not only to diplomats but also to policymakers, academics, and the wider public interested in Nigeria’s foreign engagements.
The Permanent Secretary also situated the memoir within the context of current global developments, pointing to ongoing geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainties, and emerging transnational challenges. In this regard, he said the reflections contained in the book reaffirm the importance of diplomacy as a critical instrument for advancing national interests and navigating an increasingly complex international system.
Ahmed expressed confidence that the publication would inspire future generations of Nigerian diplomats and serve as a lasting reference in the study of the country’s foreign policy.
