Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Iraq and the Republic of Macedonia presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
H.E. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was accompanied by her three daughters, Ibiso Dokuboba, Daba Alaiyiba and Botoba Tamunolobobikiya Graham-Douglas, and her two sons Ibaniasemabo Tamunoinemi and Owanari Bekinbo Graham-Douglas. The Ambassador was also accompanied at the ceremony by Mr. Abubakar Jidda, Senior Counsellor and Head of Chancery at the Embassy.
H.E. Mr. Faik Nerweyi, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sinikka Nerweyi, and by Mr. Muhieddin Hussien Altaaie, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy.
H.E. Mr. Jovan Donev, Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia, was accompanied by Mrs. Bilĵana Gligorova, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy.
Mr. Joe Costello, TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Mr. Art O’Leary, Secretary-General to the President; Mr. John Conlan, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Joe Brennan, Ms. Mary Cusack and Ms. Claire Buckley, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Ambassadors were escorted to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Grattan O’Hagan.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the 1st Infantry Battalion, Mellows Barracks, Renmore, Co. Galway, under the command of Lieutenant Paul Togher.
Captain Fergal Carroll conducted the Army No. 1 Band.