NIGERIA BEGINS DOCUMENTATION OF ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

By NBF News

Nigeria has begun a process of documenting its contributions to international development, peace and security.

The exercise is aimed at correcting the distortion of history across the African continent on the level of past and present contributions of Nigeria, especially in the liberation of sub-Sahara Africa from colonialism and apartheid.

The exercise will also enable government and its agencies to equip young Nigerians and future generations of Nigeria to be well informed of the very important role their motherland played in the upliftment of Africa and Africans in the comity of nations.

The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) has taken the challenge of ensuring that the exercise is successfully implemented and sustained. For this reason, the institute yesterday assembled key players in the formulation and implementation of Nigeria's foreign policy since independence alongside foreign experts and ex-Nigerian ambassadors to highlight key activities of the government in Southern Africa just as ex-ambassadors share their experiences while in office.

NIIA Director-General, Professor Bola Akinterinwa, told participants to regard the exercise as a challenge that must be accomplished in the interest of the nation's foreign policy direction and that of Nigerians yet unborn.

He explained that the exercise would be executed in phases, starting with Southern Africa. Phase two will address Nigeria's contributions to peacekeeping operations within and outside the continent while phase three will address Nigeria's contributions to West African countries.

He expressed the concern that indicators showing that beneficiaries of Nigeria's big brother role seems to have been forgotten so soon and are already distorting history, sometimes through outright disclaim over Nigeria's assistance during their troubled days.

The importance of the exercise to government was highlighted in a keynote address by the Foreign Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, which chronicled major contributions of the country. Professor Bola Akinterinwa read the address on behalf of the minister.

Ashiru drew attention to recent efforts of government to improve on the nation's foreign policy. They include 'from policies concentrating on improving Nigeria's image, to those aimed at building a people-oriented policy, to policies that aim to harness the country's economic strengths.'

Government has repeatedly said emphasis is now on the externalization of domestic priorities. Ashiru made further clarification on this policy, saying 'a deeper understanding of the nature of foreign policy' has 'led the government to articulate and vigorously market the country as a conducive environment to do business.'

Noting that Nigeria is a developing country, Ashiru told participants: 'poverty eradication, job creation, economic progress and security are amongst the top priorities on the nation's agenda and therefore, are keystones to driving foreign policy.

'As a result, the government has sought to defend the dignity of humanity at home and abroad.' The minister said government's approach has made it possible for economic diplomacy to synergise with the promotion of democracy 'to build a strong economy that will provide a strong foundation for a stable, prosperous and peaceful country where democracy will thrive and business will flourish where citizens can live and pursue their dreams with dignity under the protection of the law.'

He challenged Nigerians to see democracy as the future of the country and for all of Africa. Ashiru believes that 'it is also in Nigeria's interest to promote the culture of democracy across Africa, since it is the surest way to guarantee peace, justice and happiness in the continent.'