Misean Cara Development Mentor for Western Africa Michael Osei Nkrumah, and Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria Sean Hoy. Photo: Misean Cara.

Remarks by Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria Sean Hoy at Misean Cara’s first Education Learning Event in Lagos, Nigeria from 27 – 28 April 2015.

I would like to begin by apologising for the fact that I cannot join you today in Lagos due to other commitments in Abuja.

I believe it is appropriate for Misean Cara to take stock of what has been achieved to date, and to look at how we can build on success and lessons from the past. Irish missionaries have made a huge contribution to the education of the people of West Africa, most especially in Nigeria. I have visited missionaries who have taught in schools for over fifty years dedicating their whole lives to the education of the future leaders in every sector. I know that this contribution is cherished by the people of Nigeria throughout the country irrespective of their own religious or ethnic background.

I have previously worked in Mozambique and Vietnam, and the biggest problem in both countries was the fact that nobody in Government had ever heard of Ireland. In Nigeria, everybody knows Ireland. This is, in no small way, due to the sacrifice and dedication of our missionaries.

We also need to accept that what has worked well in the past will be difficult to replicate as missionary orders are able to send smaller numbers of teachers to Africa. This should be seen as part of the normal cycle of development where teachers can pass on responsibility to their pupils to become the teachers of tomorrow.

The discussions over the next few days will raise many issues for further consideration. I often remark when addressing groups in Nigeria that Irish and Nigerian students have been educated by the same people, and that our common interests begin at this early age. That we find a way to build on the success of the past is something that Irish and Nigerian partners are committed to.

I look forward to following the process, and learning from the outcomes. If an opportunity arises in future for me to join you, and help further the findings of this study, I am more than willing to participate. I look forward to joining up with all of you in the not so distant future. In the meantime I wish you every success in your workshop.