The First Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland

 

Nigeria has had a good tie with Switzerland, but this was made stronger, following the nomination and posting of an Ambassador to represent Nigeria in 1981.

Amb. Yahaya Kwande; a statesman, politician and a diploma, who was one of the strong agitators for the creation of Plateau State from the then Benue-Plateau, is the first Nigerian to be sent on ambassadorial mission to Switzerland. He was born on April 7^th, 1929, at Kwande, Qua’anPan LGA.

He attended Roman Catholic Mission School, Shendam in 144-1946. He was later trained in Riyom Native Authority Elementary School as a Pupil’s teacher, under the leadership of Rwang-Pam before he furthered his study at Teachers’ Training College, Toro, 1953-1954; Higher Teachers’ Training College, Katsina, 1955-1956; University of Ibadan, 1957; Administrative Training Service Course, (ATSC) in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1956 and in 1964, he completed a Devonshire Course at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Of interest is the fact that while teaching at Shendam and Kuru, he taught people like Maj. Gen. Joseph Garba, Gen. Domkat Bali among other highly placed personalities- and that is the pride of every teacher!

The notable positions he held were: Administrative Secretary, Shendam Native Authority; Private Secretary to the Minister of Social Welfare and co-operatives (Hon. Audu Buba); Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and Secretary, Northern Regional Electoral Commission, and later, Divisional Officer in charge of Kontagora, 1962; Fika, 1964; Biu and Dikwa Divisions. He also served as Secretary to Sir Ahmadu Bello, the then Prime Minister of the Northern Region; Chairman/General Manager, Benue-Plateau Bus Service and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Co-operative, Plateau State.

However, the searchlight for “good hands” that were to be sent for diplomatic mission spotted him, thus, he was spotted and was appointed as the first Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland by President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic from 1981-1984; Member, Constitutional Conference Commission, 1994/95, organized by Ge. Sani Abacha Military Government and also served as Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Benue Cement Company, (BCC) Gboko, in present Benue State