Citizens’ Welfare Remains Anchor Of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy – Minister

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has reaffirmed that the welfare and interests of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora are the central focus of the country’s foreign policy.

Enikanolaiye said the policy thrust was integral to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements directly translate into improved livelihoods, economic opportunities and development for the ordinary citizens.

He stated this when women from Yagba South East District in Yagba East local government area of Kogi State, led by their national president, Mrs Ojo Iyabode, paid him a solidarity visit in his office.

In a statement issued by Elesho Richard, special assistant on Media and Strategic Communications to the Minister and made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday, Enikanolaiye, who is the patron of the grassroots women’s group, chairman of the Yagba South East Development Association and Agba Akin of Yagba South East, commended the women for their contributions to community development.

He particularly lauded their interventions in medical outreach, women and youth empowerment, cooperative development and other community-based initiatives, pledging his continued support for the group.

The minister explained that the Federal Government’s foreign policy was anchored on the “4Ds” of Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy, describing the four pillars as critical components of Nigeria’s diplomatic direction.

He said the demography component was focused on putting Nigerians at the centre of foreign policy.

“Demography is about the people. About you and I, everyone of us. The view is that foreign policy must impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Otherwise, foreign policy remains just foreign, with the ministry dealing more with foreigners.

“We are trying to change that orientation. We are trying to see that what we do here focuses on the lives of the average Nigerian,” he said.

Enikanolaiye said the ministry was also working to ensure that Nigeria’s foreign policy promoted national interest, welfare, prosperity and economic wellbeing.

He explained that this informed President Tinubu’s efforts to attract direct foreign investment and the government’s decision to regard Nigerians in the diaspora as critical assets for national development.

On the development component of the 4Ds, the minister said the ministry was working to harness Nigeria’s international partnerships and opportunities to drive human security, education, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

He urged women and small and medium-scale enterprises to take advantage of international trade and investment opportunities available through platforms such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“We are trying to encourage small and medium enterprises to do better. We encourage better packaging of our products so that they receive immediate international acceptance.

“There are immense opportunities, such as low-interest loans through OIC and ECOWAS, that Nigerians do not know much about or how to maximise. Our job is to raise awareness and encourage you to key into them,” he said.

The minister disclosed that he had recently visited Maiduguri to discuss security issues around the Lake Chad Basin and Bauchi for engagements on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.

He said such initiatives offered Nigerians opportunities to expand their businesses and participate more actively in regional and international trade.

Enikanolaiye also appealed to the women to sustain their support and prayers for the Federal Government, assuring them that he would remain committed to serving the people.

He said, “It’s an honour to be visited by you. It’s a rare thing to be recognised and celebrated at home, especially by women. I do not take this visit for granted.

“Anyone who plays with the role of women is playing with fire. I’m impressed by your level of organisation. I thank you for your love, discipline and integrity.”

He commended the group for its medical outreach, cooperative society and empowerment programmes, saying its contributions had positively impacted women, children and the wider community.

Earlier, the national president of the group, Ojo Iyabode, congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, describing his elevation as a source of pride to the people of Yagba South East.

She said the group was delighted that their son and patron had been recognised for national service, expressing confidence that his experience, integrity and commitment would contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and international interests.

She also thanked President Tinubu for finding their son worthy of the appointment and prayed for wisdom, strength, good health and courage for the minister to successfully discharge his responsibilities.