The Federal Government has been called upon to make national interest the thrust of Nigeria’s foreign policy, to benefit he country in contemporary times.
The President of the Association of Foreign Relations Professionals, Ambassador Gani Lawal, made the call while briefing journalists in Abuja ahead of Association’s fifth Annual Lecture scheduled for Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.
He explained that foreign policy is an extension of internal policy dictated by the vagaries of the external environment.
According to the Ambassador, “It is expected that a nation will weave its national interest around the weight of its Military industrial complex and natural resources to earn a favourable comparable edge in the global intercourse.”
He said at present, the national interest of Nigeria should be to build a strong economic base, fighting insurgency and terrorism.
He commended Nigeria’s stance on zero tolerance for military coups and undemocratic change of government in Africa.
He disclosed that the topic of the Lecture, which is “Examining the Nexus between Foreign Policy Goals and Democratic Governance”, was carefully chosen to create an opportunity to listen to the perspectives of consummate diplomats and statesmen, who had been for decades in the forefront of governance and diplomacy.
The Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria (AFRPN) is a society of foreign relations experts consisting of serving and retired career diplomats, ambassadors, scholars, researchers on foreign policy and international relations.
Ambassador Lawal said the vision of the association is to work with decision makers to make Nigeria and, by implication, Africa, a great player and respected voice within the international arena.
The association also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to appoint a seasoned diplomat as Minister of Foreign Affairs, so as to get the best in the sector. It added that Nigeria needs a professional to man the ministry and take it to its rightful position at the global level.
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