It was a scene of excitement and tears of joy as Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Usra Harahab, handed over after serving his country for about six years in Nigeria and West Africa sub-region.
Speaking at a colourful event attended by staff of the Embassy in Abuja, Harahap handed over to the new head of chancery of the embassy Park Mahmudeen Mahmudeen.
In his remarks, the outgoing Envoy who could not hide his emotions, while thanking the Republic of Indonesia for giving him opportunity to serve, says he has enhanced relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia.
The Ambassador who is also a retired general in Indonesian military, said the Indonesian Embassy in Nigeria during his tenure has spearheaded economic, military and cultural cooperation between the two nations, fostering a significant increase in trade.
“Nigeria and Indonesia are committed to strengthening economic ties, exploring new areas of cooperation, and capitalizing on growing trade opportunities,” he said.
Speaking about Harahap and his wife, Nigerian staff at the embassy said the philanthropic efforts have transformed communities, improving living conditions, providing security, and fostering a sense of belonging among beneficiaries.
They said the Ambassador and his his wife treat them as their children.
They said through the support of the ambassador and his wife, they have all built their houses in Abuja and their salaries have been increased to enable them meet with the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
They said the ambassador’s wife feeds them twice everyday during working hours and gives them palliatives multiple times in a year.
Hashim Umar Faruk, a senior staff of the embassy said working with the outgoing ambassador has been inspiring.
He said, “I have been working here for seven years. It has been great working with Ambassador Harahap.
“The first thing I learned from him is his humility and kindness. As an ambassador, our relationship has never been a boss and worker relationship but a father and son relationship.
“He pushes me to do things extraordinarily because he believes in me. Working with him has inspires and challenges me because he always demands the best from me being a retired military general.”
On his part, Williams Haduna, a steward in the residence of the ambassador, who has worked in the Embassy for fourteen years, thanked the ambassador and his wife for their kindness and support.
“I have worked with three ambassadors and I enjoyed working with him because he cares about the welfare of the staff.
“He doesn’t not treats us workers but as his children. During his time in Nigeria I have achieved a lot.
“He has helped me to build a house of my own and pursue my academic career. Currently, I am a four hundred level student at the Nigerian Open University courtesy of the ambassador,” he said.
Also, Godwin John Owiocho, a gardener at the Ambassador’s Residence, who has worked with the Embassy for over 20 years, said he would never forget Ambassador Harahap and his wife for their kind gesture towards him.
” I have worked with many Ambassadors but I will never forget Ambassador Harahap and his wife. They don’t only care about us (staff) but they also care about our families.
” You can see that the staff are weak because we are about to miss a man we regard as our father.
” I have achieved so many things during his tenure. I have built a house. And in terms of welfare, he has increased our salary multiple times.”
