Kunle Akinrinade
Outgoing Director-General of Pan Africa Relationship at Global Affairs Canada, Ambassador Paula Caldwell St Onge, has been honoured for her meritorious service to the continent for over two and a half years.
A retirement dinner was held in her honour by the Nigerian and Canadian Business Network (NCBN) at the residence of Mr Wale Adesanya in Ottawa under the auspices of the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Solomon Azoh-Nbi.
Eminent personalities from all walks of life took a turn to pay their tributes to the outgoing DG for her supportive role to Africa in global affairs.
Azoh-Nbi gave Paula a pat on the back for her deep understanding of the problems and potentials of Africa.
“We have worked with Paula for many years of meritorious service to Africa and the world in general.
“We have known her for long and worked very closely with her in Canada-African relations. She has visited many of our countries and knows many of our people, problems and the potentials of the continent,” he said.
Minister for Trade and Investment at Nigeria High Commission in Canada, Joseph Atodo, who spoke on behalf of Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun, commended Paula for her resourcefulness in promoting Canada-Africa relationship.
His words: “Paula is so very important to us in her resourcefulness in driving Canada-Africa relation. We are here to honour her.
“She is a wonderful and fantastic lady. And on behalf of his Excellency, High Commissioner, we at the High Commission of Nigeria in Canada wish Paula the very best in her future endeavour.”
His South Africa counterpart, Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo, while narrating her experience of working with Paula said: “This is where we really have to thank you for always being there for Africa.
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“I have been fortunate enough to work with you at professional and none professional levels. You are always ready to listen, always ready to give advice.
“For instance, you have been able to give your advice in terms of repatriations; you have been able to give advice on issues of visa application for African people. You have always been there to give advice on almost everything. We thank you.
“At a personal level, I thank you for being my bodyguard to make sure I was safe. I thank you for always been there for me. I wish you well as you retire. I wish well in life, I wish you more blessings,”
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Joy Ruth Acheng, described Paula as a friendly and approachable colleague.
Director-General for West and Central Africa and Global Affairs Canada, Tarik Khan, declared that Paula would be greatly missed for the passion with which she had served Africa in global affairs.
Responding, Paula thanked the organisers of the event for the honour accorded her and promised her continued support for Africa as well as the diplomatic community.
She also commended Adesanya, the Chairman of NCBN, for making his home available for the get-together.
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