Nigeria must dig deep and utilize the intellectual and strategic competences of its highly-resourced former diplomats and international relations scholars to push through its positions on the regional, continental and global stage.
That was the thrust at a gathering in Abuja at which President Bola Tinubu also emphasized the determination of his administration to ensure its Foreign policy agenda, the 4 D’s ,achieves this goal.
It was the inauguration of the Academy of International Affairs, a private think tank led by a renowned political science and international relations scholar who was Nigeria’s external affairs minister in the mid-1980’s, Bolaji Akinyemi
The 82 year old was not alone at the event.Not less than a dozen other vastly experienced diplomats, scholars in the field were present
Having been inducted into what can be termed a prestigious group, the issues around foreign policy and its implementation in Nigeria’s full interest through diplomacy is the key thing as President Tinubu stressed.
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A former Nigerian Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, again stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve ECOWAS moves at getting the military govt’s from running 4 West African countries.
The Nigerian vice president, Kashim Shettima’s top aide, who stood in for him, tasked the academy and its members on the role it should play.
So, for the Academy of International Affairs, it’s Members’ contributions to research , innovations, and problem solving through diplomacy, starts through the platform now.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
