Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), has warned Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s newly confirmed ambassador-designate, to avoid statements that could spark ethnic tension and instead focus on promoting national unity while maintaining party loyalty.
The advice came as Kalu received Omokri at his residence following his confirmation by the National Assembly. Tribune Online reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently forwarded Omokri’s name, alongside 64 others, to the Senate for approval as career and non-career ambassadors.
In a video shared on his official Facebook page, the former Abia State governor cautioned Omokri against making derogatory comments about the Igbo ethnic group, describing Igbos as vital to Nigeria’s unity.
“Don’t attack the Igbos again. They are your friends, we are the salt of this nation, and we are friendly to every tribe. The only thing I am against is when you speak against the Igbos. So, let your language now be Nigeria,” Kalu said.
He further stressed that Igbo communities are found across Nigeria, including Delta State, Omokri’s home state, underscoring that peaceful coexistence has long been a part of the nation’s fabric.
“If you go to your village in Delta State, Igbos are living there,” he added.
Kalu urged Omokri to leverage his ambassadorial role to foster national unity and emulate President Tinubu’s example of building relationships across ethnic and regional divides.
“You people should build the togetherness of the nation. Behave like President Tinubu who built friends across the nation,” he said.
The senator also reminded Omokri to uphold party loyalty, highlighting the responsibilities tied to his diplomatic appointment.
“Maintain that party affiliation, you’re an ambassador of Nigeria, respect the party chairman,” Kalu stated, adding that party leadership should be respected across all states.
Responding, Omokri expressed gratitude and lauded Kalu as a committed nationalist.
“This is a man that believes in Nigeria, a very proud Nigerian man. He is dead to ethnicity, tribalism and religion,” Omokri said.
