By Prosper Okoye
Ambassador Ngozi George has been honoured for her commitment to using diplomacy and communication skills to advocate for the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children.
Ambassador George received multiple certificates and an award at the African Transformer Institute (AFRITRANS) Diplomatic Conference in Abuja, following her successful completion of a six-week intensive training programme designed to prepare participants for ambassadorial responsibilities.
George, who is also the Director of Facado Orphanage Home in Abuja, described diplomacy not only as a future career path but as a tool for social transformation. “There are children who have lost their parents and whose rights are denied. With this knowledge, I hope to empower them, negotiate better access to education, and engage both national and international donors,” she said.
She underscored the importance of exposing children to diplomacy and negotiation skills from an early age, especially in an increasingly globalised world. “This knowledge opened me up to public speaking, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking — without which you can’t make progress or create meaningful connections,” she added.
Certificates presented at the conference included Certificates of Completion, Ambassadorial Recognition, Membership Certificates, and Medals, among other recognitions.
Director of the African Transformer Institute, Mr Austine Igweshi, said the conference was conceived to build the diplomatic capacity of young Nigerians and inspire their active participation in shaping the country’s foreign policy priorities.
“Our goal is to prepare young people to understand and contribute to Nigeria’s foreign policy, especially through the country’s 4-D agenda: democracy, demography, diaspora, and development,” Igweshi said.
Igweshi, who also leads the Centre for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD), noted that the programme provided insight into the work of Nigerian envoys and how young people can influence policy through informed engagement.
“This is how we bridge the gap between intention and impact — by equipping the next generation with the tools to represent Nigeria and negotiate for the betterment of society,” he said.
