|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Members of the House of Representatives has called on Federal Government to commence the process of reviewing the country’s foreign policy in line with current realities.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Tajudeen Obasa, who harped on the need to put economic and national interests at the front burner.
He observed that “since Nigeria gained independence from Great Britain in 1960, it has always maintained a policy of Afro-centrism by having the African continent as the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
“The House notes that successive Governments, both military and civilian, have continued to adopt the same policy, with the exception of the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida under whom the policy was modified to include ‘economic diplomacy’ as part of the policy of afro-centrism.
“The Administrations of Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan sustained the policy with difference in style and method, however a review of the policy is long overdue for several reasons that will further enhance the development of the country.
“The House is concerned by the hostile manner in which some African countries like South Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, etc., that Nigeria had used its resources to assist at one time or the other, maltreat Nigerian
citizens living in those countries in disregard of the enormous sacrifices the nation made at the times of their needs.
“The House is also concerned that on numerous occasions, some of the supposedly brotherly African countries had found flimsy excuses to arbitrarily deport Nigerian citizens living in their countries.
“The House is cognizant of the need for a review of the nation’s foreign policy from mere Afro-centrism to one that is based on the principle of reciprocity in line with the ever changing world of diplomacy where enlightened self-interest is the basis for relationship between nations of the world,” he stressed.
In order to fast track the process, the House urged Federal Government to review Nigeria’s foreign policy to be in tandem with modern trends where the economic and national interests of a nation are considered a serious factor in the conduct of foreign policy and the welfare and the protection of the country’s citizens all over the world come first and should be incorporated in the Afro-centric foreign policy of Nigeria.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Nnena Elendu-Ukeje to ensure implementation of the resolution.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
