DIPLOMATIC PROFESSIONALISM

A professional can be defined as anyone who earns their living from performing an activity that requires a certain level of education, skill, or training. There is typically a required standard of competency, knowledge, or education that must be demonstrated (often in the form of an exam or credential), as well as adhering to codes of conduct and ethical standards. Today however, there are many different types of professionals. Whether they are athletes or business people, there are many categories and groups, which include diplomats, teachers, technicians, laborers, bankers, research analysts, mechanics etc. there are many examples of the types of designations that professionals must earn or choose to earn in carrying out their activities. Common designations include: Notary Public (NP), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Modeling & valuation Analyst (FMVA), Registered Interior Designer (RID), Professional Engineer (PE), Medical Doctor (MD). Financial Modeling & Management consultancy (FMMC). I concur with Judge Peter Cahill regarding the sentencing of Derek Chauvin which was 10 years above presumptive penalty under state sentencing guidelines, Judge Cahill noted in his legal analysis that he had previously found aggravating factors in the case that allowed him to sentence Chauvin above the guidelines. He wrote that two of those aggravating factors were Chauvin’s abuse of his position of trust or authority and the fact that he treated Floyd with particular cruelty”. Recently the ambassador to Indonesia Mr Ibrahim Abdulrahman was manhandled by some immigration officers in a viral video, no doubt this has generated a lot of mixed reactions both locally and internationally. There are a lot of similarities between the case of Derek Chauvin and this particular case. The first is that it was captured on camera, the question which begs for answer is who captured it on camera? Secondly, the fact that the Nigerian ambassador is a black African while the Indonesian officials are white Asian, thirdly the Nigerian ambassador was being restrained by the neck for reasons best known to the officials and finally the Nigerian ambassador was heard saying “I can’t breathe”. Thankfully, the Nigerian ambassador is still alive to tell the story. But this is not to say that the conduct of the Nigerian Diplomat was entirely professional if the presentation of the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Usra Harap is to be taking into consideration. A Diplomat is a person appointed by a national government to conduct official negotiations and maintain political, economic and social relations with another country or countries. A diplomat can also be a person who is tactful and skillful in managing delicate situations, handling people etc. it stands to reason why such persons are conferred with diplomatic immunity. Diplomatic immunity was developed from one of the consequences of state equality rule which is expressed in the Latin maxim Par in Parem non habet imperium” meaning “no state can claim jurisdiction over another”. Juxtaposing the statement by Judge Peter Cahill in the case of Derek Chauvin when he wrote “that two of those aggravating factors were Chauvin’s abuse of his position of trust or authority and the fact that he treated Floyd with particular cruelty” with this case, in this case were the Indonesian immigration officers occupying a position of trust or authority and was the Nigerian ambassador treated with particular cruelty? We cannot but answer in the affirmative. The practice of granting Diplomatic immunity to a state has, in practice, been extended to government naval ship, properties and government servants acting in their official capacities, but such immunity is no longer granted to foreign state in respect of acts which are not governmental, which means in most cases the acts of a foreign state as a trader.” The Diplomat should be an excellent negotiator but, above all, a catalyst for peace and understanding between people. The diplomat’s principal role is to foster peaceful relations between states. This role takes on heightened importance if war breaks out. Negotiation must necessarily continue- but within significantly altered contexts. In summary, I think what transpired between the Nigerian Ambassador to Indonesia and the immigration officers was to say the least unprofessional as this singular act may lead to unnecessary rancor between both countries and the Minister for foreign affairs will require a good sense of professionalism to remedy the situation. Every professional must go about his/her job professionally and should not allow their grievances to affect their work. Professionals have a duty of care to their clients as such it behooves on every professional to handle their job and their clients with utmost respect and care. Professionals must be able to control their emotions at all times. As professionals we must know the steps we should or should not take in any given situation to ensure that we act bona fide. I believe professionalism is the solution and the lack thereof is the problem most countries face and Nigeria is not left out. The issue of police and other forms of brutality can be curtailed if the police and other officers are better trained and equipped to act more professionally in the way they conduct their affairs, so also doctors, lawyers, engineers, immigration officers etc.