Nimi Akinkugbe becomes first Nigerian female ambassador to Greece
Nimi Akinkugbe has presented her letters of credence to President Katerina Sakellaropoulou as the Nigerian ambassador to Hellenic Republic, better known as Greece.
Akinkugbe, who announced this in a post on her LinkedIn page, said she was honoured to be received by the Greece president.
She also noted that while Sakellaropoulou is Greece’s first female president, she is Nigeria’s first female ambassador to the country.
“At 1.10pm today, 15th June, 2021, I was received by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou for the presentation of my Letters of Credence at the Presidential Mansion of the Hellenic Republic,” she wrote in the post.
“In line with the protocols of the Hellenic Republic, I was accompanied by the Head of Chancery of the Nigerian Embassy, Athens, Mrs Mary Ozonwanji.
“It is of note that President is the first female President of the Hellenic Republic.
“I have the honour of being the first female Ambassador of Nigeria to the Hellenic Republic.
“Following the presentation of my Letters of Credence, I can now remove the term ‘designate‘ and bear the title ‘Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ with the deepest sense of humility, responsibility and pride.”
She added that she will share more about “this historic day” in due course.
Akinkugbe was confirmed an ambassadorial nominee for Ondo state in July 2020.
Her nomination had elicited debate because she is originally from Rivers state.
Nimi, a non-executive director at Standard Chartered Bank, is married to Yinka Akinkugbe from Ondo.
Some persons had argued that the president should not have nominated her because of her state of origin.
Nigerians would not stop to amaze me. She is a Nigerian married to Akinkugbe, an ondo man. She had changed her surname to that of Yoruba. From whatever angle, she is entitled and there is nothing anyone can do about that.Congratulations Madam Nimi Akinkugbe.