Dan Wari Nwazim, Nigeria’s Consul-General to the North West and South West Regions with Consulate in Buea, has received the exequatur – official recognition by Cameroon government empowering him to exercise office.

The exequatur was handed the Nigerian diplomat at a ceremony, Friday, December 5, by the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai in the presence of members of consular services in Douala and Buea as well as representatives of International Organizations.

Dan Wari Nwazim was appointed to the Consulate-General in Buea last March 3, 2014 by Viola Onwuliri, Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In keeping with the conventions and treaties that guide diplomatic and consular relations, President Paul Biya on July 1, 2014 signed the exequatur authorising Dan Wari to take up duties at the Nigerian Consular Service in Buea with jurisdiction over South West and North West regions.

Governor Okalia in delivering the exequatur to the Nigerian Diplomat on behalf of President Biya described Dan Wari is a seasoned diplomat. He sounded confident that with a wealth of experience gathered over the years, Dan Wari is going to maintain the excellent bilateral relations that exist between Cameroon and Nigeria, fostered by permanent cooperation and peaceful coexistence.

“This exequatur grants you privileges and exemptions…you are today recognised by our security and judicial authorities as the Consul-General,” Okalia said.

Though the Nigerian diplomat has privileges and attributes provided for by the 1963 Vienna Convention on International Relations, the Governor, reminded Dan Wari that he will be responsible for his personal deeds and actions.

After receiving the equator Dan Wari told the media that “the essence of my being here is to make sure that those (Nigerians) who are here stay in peace and in harmony and respect the laws of their host communities. The only thing is that where there are difficulties, not on account of their nationality, but on account of their inability to perform their responsibility, we always intervene to make sure that there is no conflict between Nigerians and their Cameroonian brothers. We make them to realise that paying taxes is a responsibility.”

The ceremony was attended by the Senior Divisional Officers of Fako and Meme, Zang III and David Koulbout respectively, as well as the Government Delegates to the Limbe and Kumba City Councils, Motanga Andrew Monjimba and Victor Nkelle Ngoh. The Mayor of Buea, Patrick Ekema also joined members of the diplomatic community, administrative officials from both friendly nations attended the solemn ceremony.