New diplomatic appointments for Washington and Nigeria

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar is flanked by Government Senator Embau Moheni, Cultural Ambassador to CARICOM Makandal Daaga, Ambassador to the United States of America Dr. Neil Parsan, High Commissioner to Nigeria Nyahuma Obika and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar on Wednesday presented Instruments of Appointment to two new Trinidad and Tobago diplomats at a brief ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Chamber of the Red House in Port of Spain.

Nyahuma Menthuhotep Obika will be the country's High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Obika has been the Deputy Political Leader of the National Joint Action Committee since 1984 and has held a number of positions including Director of the Caribbean Historical Society, Director of the Butler Institute of Learning and Labour and Chairman of the St. Patrick’s region Parent Teacher’s Association.

He hold's a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and History and a Masters Degree from the University of the West Indies.

Obika led the internationalization of August 1st as Emancipation Day initiative in 1966 which culminated in several successful launches around the world. In 2003, through his collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, August 1st was unanimously acknowledged as Emancipation by CARICOM Foreign Ministers.

In 2005, Mr. Obika met with President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which resulted in the official declaration of August 1st as Emancipation Day in Nigeria.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar presents Instruments of Appointment Mr Nyahuma Obika, High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria

Dr. Neil Parsan has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America as well as Ambassador to the United Mexican States. 

Parsan will simultaneously serve as the Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the Organisation of American States.

Dr. Neil Parsan, Ambassador Extraordinare and Plenipotentiary to the U.S.A. receives his Instruments of Appointment from Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar

Parsan did the Undergraduate Medical Degree at the University of the West Indies, graduating with Distinction. After eight 8 years as a Lecturer/Tutor at the Faculty Sciences (UWI), he pursued a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) where he graduated Top Student with Distinction.

He also holds a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) Degree, a CACM from Harvard University School of Public Health and a Diploma in International Trade Management (Dip.ITM) from ITM Worldwide in Sweden.

He was a director in several local and regional companies and is currently a director at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business Alumni and Vice President of the Private Hospital Association of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Parsan has consulted on several special projects locally and internationally.

The jurisdiction of the Embassy in Washington D.C. includes the United States of America, the United Mexican States and the Organisation of American States as well as the Consulates General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in New York and the Honorary Consul for Trinidad and Tobago in Texas and Puerto Rico.