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It's bye-bye Peter and Deborah

Published:Sunday | March 4, 2012 | 12:00 AM
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Always with the ladies: Lachu Ramchandani, chairman of Miss Global International, with some of the pageant's contestants (from left) Areka Taylor, Adrienne McIntosh and Deana Lee Douglas.
Sir Kenneth and Lady Hall make a great looking couple.
Wife of the Nigerian high commissioner, Deborah Oyedele (left), and Myrna Hague share camera time at the farewell reception for the Nigerian high commissioner.- Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Yashika Lopez, managing director of Bazba Theatrical Players Limited, is simply elegant.
Sharing family time, sisters Ayokemi (left) and Atinuke Oladele are precious in traditional Nigerian dress.
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Sacha Walters-Gregory, Staff Reporter

Nigerian High commissioner to Jamaica, Peter Oyedele, bid his friends, colleagues and Jamaica, goodbye on Friday, February 24, at a reception held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Oyedele and his wife, Deborah, greeted guests individually with wide smiles and big hugs in traditional diplomat fashion.

The high commissioner, who has served in Jamaica since 2008, spoke of his love for and fascination with the country and its culture. He said he submerged himself in the cuisine enjoying jerked chicken, ackee and salt fish and curried goat. He also reminisced about the honour he and his wife felt when they were able to visit the Bob Marley Museum and see the bed in which the Reggae icon slept and the chair in which he sat.

The high commissioner noted that he was proud to be in Jamaica to unveil Nigeria's new High Commission on Waterloo Road, among other achievements, during his tenure.

"I'm going to miss you all and I wish we'll meet somewhere to refresh our memories about our days in Jamaica," said Oyedele.

Admittedly, Oyedele said initially he was apprehensive travelling on narrow roads outside of Kingston but after seeing the skill of Jamaican drivers and not having witnessed an accident on those roads, he became comfortable.

diplomat supreme

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade A.J. Nicholson thanked the high commissioner for his kindness.

"I do declare, you are a diplomat supreme," Nicholson said with a laugh in reference to the skill of Jamaican drivers. "That's another reason we are going to remember you forever," he said.

Nicholson also noted the strong friendship forged between the two nations, which has resulted in the signing of mutually beneficial agreements in trade, culture, education and technology. He specifically noted the Nigerian Technical Programme which has benefited The Mico University and the University of the West Indies.

Nicholson said in his final toast: "To the continued growth and development of brotherly existence of our two nations."

Guests included Ambassador of the Russian Federation Victor Zotin, Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia, Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, Chief of Defence Staff Major General Antony Anderson, Lascelles and Eileen Chin, Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover, Dr Oswald Harding and his wife, Custos of St Andrew Marigold Harding.