President Muhammadu Buhari during the send off ceremony for Mr Paul Arkwright was full of praise for the former British High Commissioner to Nigeria.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Arkwright spent three years as British High Commissioner to Nigeria in the country.
“Nigeria enjoyed excellent relations with the United Kingdom during your time as High Commissioner, HC Paul T. Arkwright.
“As President @MBuhari remarked, your energy and warmth have been remarkable. We wish you the best in your future endeavors,” the Presidency stated on Sunday.
Arkwright was announced British High Commissioner to Nigeria in July 2015 and took up his appointment in September 2015, succeeding Sir Andrew Pocock KCMG, who retired from the Diplomatic Service.
The former British High Commissioner to Nigeria took to Twitter to express his gratitude to President Buhari for the warm send off.
“A wonderful way to end my 3 years as High Commissioner. @ClarenceHouse thanks for visiting Nigeria. @MBuhari thanks for the warm send off. To all my followers thanks for your interest. A fascinating and fun stay in #Naija. Go well. @UKinNigeria,” he tweeted.
Arkwright, who is expected to be transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment, would be replaced by Ms Catriona Laing before the end of November.
“My successor as High Commissioner is @CatrionaLaing1 who will arrive later this month. Please follow her for more news on @UKinNigeria,” Arkwright also tweeted.
My successor as High Commissioner is @CatrionaLaing1 who will arrive later this month. Please follow her for more news on @UKinNigeria
— Paul Arkwright (@PaulTArkwright) November 11, 2018
Ms Laing, who, until her appointment as British High Commissioner to Nigeria was British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, was announced replacement for Arkwright in June.
Born Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing, she is married to Clive David Nicholas Bates with one daughter.
The Ambassador will represent Her Majesty The Queen and the UK government in Nigeria and she will be responsible for the direction and work of the Embassy and its Consulates in the country, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.
While Laing has edited her Twitter bio to “British High Commissioner Designate to Nigeria. Former British Ambassador to Zimbabwe”, Arkwright has edited his to “Former British High Commissioner to Nigeria”.