ABUJA — Minister of State for International Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, has mentioned Nigeria should first strengthen its financial system, safety and inner stability earlier than it could actually successfully reclaim its management function in Africa and undertaking better affect on the worldwide stage.
The minister acknowledged this on Thursday in Abuja on the launch of Shadows of Energy, authored by retired Rear Admiral Olusola Akinsola Oluwagbire.
In accordance with Enikanolaiye, the Federal Authorities’s “Nigeria First” coverage locations the pursuits of Nigerians on the centre of all diplomatic engagements and is designed to strengthen the nation’s home foundations as a prerequisite for a extra dynamic overseas coverage.
“You can’t have a dynamic and activist overseas coverage if the house is weak, if the nation is disunited, and if there isn’t any concord in Nigeria. How will you go outdoors and be taken severely?” he mentioned.
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“We consider these aims are mutually reinforcing. Nigeria must be safe and steady earlier than it could actually successfully play the activist function in overseas coverage that it historically performed throughout the liberation battle and different continental engagements.”
The minister defined that the nation’s overseas coverage is now being pushed by a “Nigeria First” doctrine targeted on advancing nationwide pursuits, safety, financial prosperity and the welfare of residents.
“The motto of the Ministry of International Affairs is definitely ‘Nigeria First’. Each overseas coverage motion we take should converse to Nigeria,” he mentioned.
“We’re finding Nigeria and Nigerians on the core of our overseas coverage priorities in order that our nationwide pursuits, safety, defence and financial prosperity stay central to our diplomatic engagements.”
Whereas reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to Africa, Enikanolaiye mentioned the federal government was recalibrating its overseas coverage strategy to make sure that home priorities obtain sufficient consideration.
He famous that Nigeria and its rapid neighbours now represent the first focus of diplomatic engagement due to their interconnected safety and financial pursuits.
“Our neighbours, our safety, prosperity and growth are intrinsically linked. If they aren’t safe, it has implications for us,” he mentioned.
“We’ve determined to prioritise that area earlier than transferring additional into Africa, with out jettisoning Africa because the cornerstone of our overseas coverage.”
The minister additionally mentioned Nigeria would proceed to pursue strategic autonomy in its worldwide relations by aligning overseas engagements strictly with nationwide pursuits quite than ideological concerns.
“What’s strategic autonomy? Merely put, it means alignment to our nationwide curiosity. Due to this fact, wherever the wind blows, that’s the place we go in pursuit of Nigeria’s curiosity,” he acknowledged.
He added that Nigeria stays open to partnerships with each Western and Japanese nations, together with China, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Brazil.
“We could have tilted just a little to the West, however we’ve got not deserted our conventional companions. All of them stay vital companions in Nigerian overseas coverage,” he mentioned.
Enikanolaiye defended Nigeria’s renewed safety and defence cooperation with america and different Western allies, describing it as a continuation of longstanding partnerships aimed toward addressing present safety challenges.
“What has occurred is a reinvigoration of these partnerships in a fashion that addresses our present home safety challenges,” he mentioned.
“The reality is that no facet of home coverage can succeed except you establish its exterior elements and pursue them equally.”
The minister expressed confidence that Nigeria remained on the appropriate path regardless of considerations about declining worldwide visibility.
“Nigeria continues to be very a lot on target. Our visibility could have dimmed just a little, however we’re working to revive it,” he mentioned.
He additionally disclosed ongoing efforts to reform the Ministry of International Affairs by way of capability constructing, institutional strengthening, skilled coaching and merit-based postings.
“We’re rebuilding the establishment when it comes to methods, processes and capability in a fashion that instils confidence, morale and professionalism inside the Ministry,” he mentioned.
Calling for nearer collaboration between diplomatic and defence establishments, Enikanolaiye careworn that overseas coverage and nationwide safety have to be pursued in a coordinated method.
“International coverage is the flip facet of defence coverage, and each have to be pursued collectively in order that our nation will be higher secured, extra affluent and have a greater future,” he added.
Talking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Oluwagbire mentioned his guide examines how relationships with main world powers have influenced Nigeria’s nationwide safety structure.
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“It was primarily based on my analysis into how main powers have influenced Nigeria’s nationwide safety and the way {our relationships} with them have formed our safety atmosphere,” he mentioned.
He famous that whereas nations pursue their very own pursuits, nations should additionally develop the capability to affect occasions past their borders.
“Nigeria has traditionally performed a number one function in Africa by way of peacekeeping, regional integration and liberation actions. We will proceed to take action if we construct the required capability and affect,” he mentioned.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was represented on the occasion by former Chief of Defence Employees, Martin Luther Agwai, whereas the Minister of Defence was represented by retired Rear Admiral Bankole.
Different dignitaries on the launch included former Chiefs of Defence Employees, Ola Sa’ade Ibrahim and Fortunate Irabor, in addition to former Chief of Naval Employees, Awwal Gambo.
The 157-page, 11-chapter guide was reviewed by former Deputy Chairman of the Home of Representatives Committee on Nationwide Safety and Intelligence, Hon. Adetoro Adeogun.