UNITED NATIONS, July 28 -- At Nigeria's end of Security Council Presidency reception Wednesday night, the de facto guest of honor was Ibrahim Gambari. Ambassador Joy Ogwu, who has followed him in each of his Nigerian jobs, took photos with him, as did Nigerian and other UN staff members in attendance.
The event was in the penthouse of Nigeria House, built under Gambari's tenure as his country's ambassador to the UN. So it was something of a home coming.
As regards his current job, the joint African Union - UN Mission in Darfur, the vote to extend its mandate will be Friday and not Thursday. Gambari chatted up the political coordinators of Council members such as Mexico, Austria and Turkey. He schmoozed Western Deputies Philip Parham and Rosemary DiCarlo.
Chief backer China did not appear in attendance. But that was not the point: Nigeria's representative on the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions was there, kindly telling Inner City Press about ACABQ's trip to El Fasher during one of Gambari's absences, to see the cost of living differences in different parts of Sudan.
Later, she helped procure a plate of food for Ghana Perm Rep Leslie K. Christian, then clear the tables It is a down home and full service mission, one refreshingly without pretensions.
The soundtrack was pure Fela, spun by a Ethiopian DJ who words for the Nigerian mission. More than one Nigerian remarked to Inner City Press that Gambari, like Fela, might not always be welcome in Nigeria: the latter because of protest, Gambari due to perceived defense of the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha.
But on Wednesday Sani Abacha was scarcely mentioned. Ambassador Ogwu, the host with the most, said she does not envision following Gambari to a peacekeeper mission, as she is 64, as in the Beatles' song.
Goodluck Jonathan's picture was up; the UN Department of Public Information's reticence to move from Lagos to Abuja was a bone of contention. A spicy dish came with fish bones included. The vibe was good: but where were China and Russia, August's president?
It was confirmed to Inner City Press that DPI is consenting to include the word “blogger” for the first time in their accreditation guideline. Still they are trying to confine it to a footnote. We'll see -- watch this site.
And see, www.innercitypress.com/recep1gambari072810.html
